FEATURE: Lotter and McNalley Step Into Coaching Roles for Piedmont Women’s Soccer

If one were to scan the Piedmont women’s soccer sideline this fall, they would notice a pair of familiar faces filling unfamiliar roles. Members of the program since 2017, Gabby Lotter and Miranda McNalley’s playing days are over, yet they are still making an impact on the program, this time in a coaching role.

There is no doubt that one of the most unique aspects of collegiate athletics is the influence that programs can have on individuals beyond just their four years of eligibility. This can often be seen through former student athletes transitioning to coaches, able to serve as a liaison between the head coach and their former teammates.

Arriving on campus in the fall of 2017, both McNalley and Lotter were adapting to new surroundings and circumstances along with their first-year head coach Timmy McCormack. Despite the step up for both player and coach, the Lady Lions simply did not lose all season, delivering a 16-0-4 record while McNalley was named to the All-USA South West Division Second Team.  Not a bad way to start a career.

The foundation of success continued to build as the pair helped Piedmont win the 2018 USA South Tournament and were part of this past spring’s West Division Tournament Championship Team.

Despite having two years of eligibility remaining, Lotter battled injuries throughout her career and ultimately decided she wanted to step away from the playing field even though her passion for the game had not waned. 

“I have played soccer my entire life, so this was a very difficult decision,” says Lotter. “I have learned that soccer will always be a big part of my life, so taking on this role has definitely helped with the transition.”

From a coach’s perspective, McCormack has certainly built a winning culture in his four seasons in Demorest and he credits Lotter as being a tremendous leader for the program as she endured the grueling rehab process from her injuries, which led him to give her the opportunity to continue making a positive impact as a student assistant coach

After playing in just two games during the 2021 spring season, Lotter turned her attention to the fall season and the focus became clearer. How could she make the biggest impact on the team?

“I felt like I wouldn’t be making a difference as a captain if I was sitting on the sidelines,” Lotter said. “I feel that there is much more to being a leader than how you perform on the field.”

Although they are tied together by class and the roles they are currently serving, the playing career of McNalley can best be described as prolific.

Stepping into a starting role as a freshman, she was unfazed, going undefeated in her debut season before delivering shutout performances to help Piedmont capture a pair of USA South trophies (2018 and the spring of 2021).

Despite having one year of eligibility remaining because of the extra year of eligibility granted to all players due to COVID-19, McNalley mirrored Lotter’s decision, wanting to see the game from a different perspective. 

In her four seasons, the Atlanta, Georgia native amassed 50 wins in goal, a program record. It was this consistency and unflappability as a player that made McCormack realize McNalley could serve as a useful member of the team as a volunteer assistant coach. 

“Watching her as a four-year starter in the net was special by itself,” McCormack said. “But even more Impressive was how she held on to the position from the many good goalkeepers that tried to take her spot.”

Having served as a team captain, McNalley credits that experience with helping prepare her for her new role. “Being a part of the physical team and serving in a leadership role was a challenge,” she said.  "But being on the other side, analyzing everything and seeing what can be done better is a new kind of challenge.”

Both Lotter and McNalley have goals to remain in sports beyond this fall, as Lotter is pursuing her master’s degree in athletic training at Piedmont while McNalley graduated in May with a degree in sports and fitness administration.

McNalley hopes this experience can help her gain traction toward her ultimate goal of working in pro soccer and credits Piedmont and McCormack with helping her acquire that valuable hands-on experience. 

No matter what level of college athletics it is, programs that promote a positive culture tend to be the most successful on the field. One of the pillars of building that culture is a mutual admiration and respect from player to coach, in which the bond goes beyond wins and losses.

McCormack believes that Lotter and McNalley’s standing amongst the players and success on the field can help the current team in those tough moments where adversity will inevitably strike.