MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Men's Soccer is pleased to announce the hiring of new Assistant Coach, Dallas Jaye, who comes to the Gaels after a very successful professional career as a goalkeeper.
 
Jaye announced his retirement from professional soccer today, and will play his last game with Monterey Bay FC of the USL on July 23.
 
"While I have enjoyed an incredible seven-year playing career in the pros, I have known I was approaching the final season or two when I came to Monterey this year," Jaye said regarding his decision to join the Gaels staff. "It was an extremely difficult decision to retire mid-season, but I knew this was an opportunity I just could not pass up. It is a chance for me to move back home as an East Bay native for the first time since I left for college in 2011."
 
Jaye got a little taste of being in the Saint Mary's environment this past year and took a serious liking to the staff, players, and community.
 
"I was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks around the Men's Soccer Program in January when I was preparing for the preseason with Monterey Bay F.C.," Jaye said. "I have known Assistant Coach Shawn Nicklaw for over 10 years as we have played for the Guam Men's National Team together. During those few weeks I got to build a great relationship with Coop and the players. I really enjoyed getting to know the guys and was extremely grateful Coop allowed me to get some quality training in during that time. When a position opened up on the SMC Coop and Shawn reached out to me about the coaching role.
 
"A big reason why I made the decision to retire from playing and join SMC was because I got to know the group of players returning this fall. These guys are hardworking, talented, and committed to improving every day. Those are the type of student athletes I want to be around and help guide through their college experience."
 
The Danville, Calif. native attended the University of South Florida where he was a co-captain his senior year and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. His Bulls teams made three trips to the NCAA tournament in his time at South Florida, winning the Big East and advancing to the NCAA Elite 8 in 2011, and they were the American Athletic Conference Tournament Champions in 2013.
 
The San Ramon Valley High product played his final collegiate season while earning his Master's in Business Administration at Xavier University and was named the 2015 Big East Co-Goalkeeper of the Year as well as All-Big East First Team.
 
He set the Musketeers school record and ranked ninth in the nation with a 0.63 goals against average that season, while his .830 save percentage led the Big East and ranked 13th in the country. Jaye recorded six solo shutouts and shared another as Xavier was 10-3-1 with him in goal on his way to making the All-Great Lakes Region Third Team.
 
He had his first international cap at age 18 for the Guam Men's National Team vs the Philippines, with 22 international caps overall playing in nine World Cup Qualifiers.
 
Jaye has played in over 80 professional matches and began his pro career with FC Cincinnati as part of the club's inaugural roster, playing two seasons with FCC.
 
That was followed by a fantastic run with Greenville Triumph SC from 2019-21. In 2019 and '20 Jaye was named the USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year and the Golden Glove Winner. He racked up 30 clean sheets as the club made three-straight USL League One Finals, winning it all in 2020.
 
That wealth of experience will be quite the resource for the Gaels players, as Jaye has a lot to offer the SMC squad on and off the field. But the veteran keeper is also eager to soak up what he can of the Saint Mary's culture as well.
 
"I'm excited to learn from and work with a fantastic coaching staff and athletic department," Jaye added. "While I will have a focus on the goalkeepers, I look forward to helping both the returning athletes and incoming class of freshman and transfers excel on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Personally, I had an incredible five-year college experience, where I got to walk away with two degrees, a few rings, and relationships and experiences that will last for a life time. I can't wait to help this program and these guys win in the classroom and on the field."
 
The Gaels begin play this season with an exhibition at home against Sonoma State on Sunday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. and will kick off the regular season on Thursday, August 25 against Niagara University at 1:00 p.m.
 
Ticket information for the Gaels can be found by clicking HERE, which will give you direct access to purchase tickets for all 2022 home games.