Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MSOC | Prieur Returns to Saint Mary’s, Joins Coaching Staff
6/20/2023 10:11:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. — On Tuesday, head coach Adam Cooper announced the return of Remi Prieur to Saint Mary's. A recent standout goalkeeper for SMC, Prieur will be joining the coaching staff in advance of the 2023 season as an assistant coach.
"I am incredibly excited and grateful to bring Remi back into the program as a coach," said coach Cooper. "His experience as a Gael helping our program reach unprecedented heights, along with his professional experience, will speak volumes with our current and future Gaels."
Few goalkeepers were better in the NCAA than Remi Prieur during his Saint Mary's tenure, especially in his final two seasons. The California High School graduate started all 38 games over his final two seasons in Moraga and went an incredible 34-2-2 during that stretch, which included a pair of West Coast Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2018, he did not suffer a defeat, as the Gaels went 18-0-2 and were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round against Stanford after a scoreless game went into a shootout.
Despite the ending to an historic Gaels season in 2018, Prieur was a brick wall in goal all season long. He led the NCAA in save percentage (87.3%), was second in goals against average (0.387), and was tied for the most shutouts in the country (14). All he did was follow that up with another stellar campaign in 2019, where he led the WCC goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts.
"I'm super grateful and excited for the opportunity to come back to Saint Mary's and work alongside Coop and Shawn Nicklaw," Prieur mentioned. "I know that I am joining a very talented group of student-athletes and with my experience playing at SMC, as well as in the USL, I'll be able to help with their development to get to that next level in their careers."
His final numbers as a Gael were eye-popping, and he finished his Saint Mary's career as the best goalkeeper the program has ever seen. No Gael has recorded more wins, shutouts, or a lower goals against average than Prieur, and the accolades came rolling in. Twice, Prieur was named the WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, and he also became the first Gael to be named an All-American (in both 2018 and 2019).
Following his time as a Gael, Prieur was drafted 47th overall in the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Columbus Crew SC, but he did not sign. He latched on with Sporting Kansas City II of the United Soccer League and spent parts of two seasons with the club.
Prieur will make his official return to Saint Mary's Stadium on August 24 with the Gaels season opener, a home contest against Detroit Mercy at 4:00 pm. The Gaels open the season with five-consecutive home matches.
#GaelsRise — Don't miss a minute of the 2023 Saint Mary's Men's Soccer Season! Ticket information can be found HERE, which will give direct access to purchase tickets for all 2023 SMC home games.
"I am incredibly excited and grateful to bring Remi back into the program as a coach," said coach Cooper. "His experience as a Gael helping our program reach unprecedented heights, along with his professional experience, will speak volumes with our current and future Gaels."
Few goalkeepers were better in the NCAA than Remi Prieur during his Saint Mary's tenure, especially in his final two seasons. The California High School graduate started all 38 games over his final two seasons in Moraga and went an incredible 34-2-2 during that stretch, which included a pair of West Coast Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2018, he did not suffer a defeat, as the Gaels went 18-0-2 and were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round against Stanford after a scoreless game went into a shootout.
Despite the ending to an historic Gaels season in 2018, Prieur was a brick wall in goal all season long. He led the NCAA in save percentage (87.3%), was second in goals against average (0.387), and was tied for the most shutouts in the country (14). All he did was follow that up with another stellar campaign in 2019, where he led the WCC goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts.
"I'm super grateful and excited for the opportunity to come back to Saint Mary's and work alongside Coop and Shawn Nicklaw," Prieur mentioned. "I know that I am joining a very talented group of student-athletes and with my experience playing at SMC, as well as in the USL, I'll be able to help with their development to get to that next level in their careers."
His final numbers as a Gael were eye-popping, and he finished his Saint Mary's career as the best goalkeeper the program has ever seen. No Gael has recorded more wins, shutouts, or a lower goals against average than Prieur, and the accolades came rolling in. Twice, Prieur was named the WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, and he also became the first Gael to be named an All-American (in both 2018 and 2019).
Following his time as a Gael, Prieur was drafted 47th overall in the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Columbus Crew SC, but he did not sign. He latched on with Sporting Kansas City II of the United Soccer League and spent parts of two seasons with the club.
Prieur will make his official return to Saint Mary's Stadium on August 24 with the Gaels season opener, a home contest against Detroit Mercy at 4:00 pm. The Gaels open the season with five-consecutive home matches.
#GaelsRise — Don't miss a minute of the 2023 Saint Mary's Men's Soccer Season! Ticket information can be found HERE, which will give direct access to purchase tickets for all 2023 SMC home games.
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