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Bruce E. Walberg: Head Coach (Sixth Season; 48-35-5)
Bruce Walberg is in his sixth season as the head coach of the Fitchburg State women's soccer team. He has compiled an overall record of 48-35-5 while at the University and is only two wins shy of becoming the program's all-time winningiest coach. Throughout his tenure, Walberg has coached 21 MASCAC All-Conference players, including seven first-team selections, 14 second-team honorees and one Rookie of the Year.
In his first five seasons at the helm of the Falcons, Walberg has made an immediate impact, advancing to the MASCAC Tournament four times over his five year term. During the 2008 season, Walberg led the Falcons to a program best 13 victories and a covenant ECAC Tournament berth. For his efforts, he named six players to the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) All-Conference team, including the 2008 Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year.
Walberg came to Fitchburg State after a four-year stint as head coach at Blackstone Valley Regional Technical High School. He helped lead the Beavers to consecutive berths in the Central Massachusetts district tournament and Voc Tech state tournament. For his efforts, Walberg was named Colonial Athletic League Coach of the Year in 2004.
In addition to his coaching experience at Blackstone Valley, Walberg also coached the varsity squad at Blackstone-Millville Regional from 1996 to 2001. He served as coach of the Central Region for the Bay State Games, leading the team to a pair of bronze medals over the past two seasons.
Walberg, a former member of the Marine Corps who served in Vietnam, recently retired after a 36-year career as Postmaster of Millbury. He currently resides in Blackstone, Mass. with his wife Joanne. He has two children, David (25), current Sports Information Director at Albright College, and Brett (19), member of the Westfield State soccer team.
Stephanie Bibbo is in her first season as an assistant coach for the Fitchburg State women's soccer team.
Bibbo joins the Fitchburg State sidelines for her first collegiate term after completing a three-year career with the Western New England Golden Bears. As a member of the women’s soccer program, Bibbo appeared in 46 contests, guiding the Golden Bears to a NCAA Tournament berth in 2006. Throughout her three-year stint, Bibbo lifted Western New England to a 35-21-9 record, adding two ECAC Tournament berth’s and one Greater Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title to the mix.
While at Western New England, Bibbo collected numerous accolades, including ESPN the Magazine District 1 Academic Team honors, Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year (TCCC) honors and National Soccer Coaches of America/Adidas Scholar All-East Region Honorable Mention. In addition, she was the recipient of the WNEC Norm Merrill Award, giving to the best All-Around Women’s Soccer player.
Bibbo graduated from Western New England in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her Master of Science at Miami University (Ohio), focusing on Student Affairs in Higher Education.
She currently resides in Millville, Mass.
Shannon Murphy is in her first season as assistant coach of the Fitchburg State women's soccer team. She will work primarily with the goalkeepers.
Murphy joins the Fitchburg State coaching staff after completing a four-year career with NCAA Division II powerhouse, The College of Saint Rose. At Saint Rose, Murphy served as a standout goalkeeper, leading Saint Rose to four consecutive Northeast-10 (NE-10) Championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances. She was a five-time recipient of the Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Week honor and a two-time ECAC Goalkeeper of the Week honors, while breaking the College's all-time single season record for victories with 18 in 2008.
During the 2008 season, Murphy led Saint Rose to the 2008 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships in Tampa, Fla., where the Golden Knights advanced to the Final Four match vs. University of West Florida. Throughout the playoff run, Murphy was named to the Northeast-10 All-Tournament team (NE-10 Most Outstanding Player), while also garnering NSCAA Adidas All-Region first team honors.
In addition to her accolades on the field, Murphy was also recognized for her work in the classroom, being named to the 2010 Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. She is a four-time member of the Dean's List, while completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education/Special Education.
She currently resides in Charlton, Mass.
