University of Rhode Island

Tanya Roberts starts her sixth year with the Rhode Island women's soccer program as an assistant coach in 2016-17.

Roberts joined the URI staff after serving as the associate head coach at Holy Names University in Oakland, Calif.  While with the Hawks, Roberts served as the team's recruiting coordinator and helped guide HNU to the California Pacific Conference championship in 2009 and 2011 and an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 2009.

"Tanya is an outstanding addition to our staff.  She has played at a very high level and will provide the women in our program a tremendous role model and mentor," Needham said.  "I had to opportunity to coach Tanya at UNLV.  She brings so many things to our program but I think the biggest is her desire to be successful and knowing how to do so.  Tanya was an integral part of two special teams at UNLV and I am looking forward to what she will bring in terms of mentality to our program."
 
A native of Fremont, Calif., Roberts helped UNLV win three consecutive Mountain West titles and make three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament.  She was a two-time All-Mountain West selection, third team All-West Region selection, while being named the MVP of the 2006 Mountain West Championship, as the Rebels downed Utah in penalty kicks in the title match.  Roberts closed out her four-year career as the school's all-time leader in career games played with 83.

Roberts graduated from UNLV in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in physical education with a minor in coaching and received her M.Ed in Urban Education from Holy Names University in 2011. She played professionally in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) from 2005-08 and was named to the Western All-Star team in 2005.

In 2007, she began her coaching career as an undergraduate assistant at her alma mater before taking a volunteer assistant coaching position at Saint Mary's College during the 2008 season.

She coached the F.C. Fremont, Adirondack Lynx and Las Vegas football clubs, while also serving as the head varsity girl's soccer coach at Las Lomas H.S.  She holds a NSCAA Premier Diploma and USSF 'D' license.

updated: 9/28/16