KANSAS CITY, Mo. - TCNJ women's soccer's Danny Blank and his staff were named the United Soccer Coaches' Region IV Coaching Staff of the Year, as released by the association last week. This is Blank's first time earning the recognition alongside assistant coaches Fran Schmutz and Morgan Basileo, with the trio also garnering the NJAC's Joe Russo Coaching Staff of the Year honors back in November.

Under Blank's guidance, the Lions finished the 2024 campaign with a record of 18-1-2, won a second straight NJAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Second Round for the second year running. TCNJ's undefeated regular season was the second time the program had achieved the feat in the last five seasons, the other being in 2021 when the Lions advanced to the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2006.

TCNJ's dominance was largely thanks to its impressive defense, which finished 28th in Division III in goals against average (.571) – the Lions ranked 11th with an average of .35 entering their final game of the season – and compiled 13 shutouts while being led by First Team All-American Ava Curtis.

The Lions found equal success on the other end of the field, putting together a mark of 2.52 goals per game – the program's fifth straight season averaging over two scores per game – paced by 15 from two-time All-American Victoria D'Imperio. TCNJ was at its best entering the postseason, outscoring opponents 28-1 in its final nine games before falling in the Round of 32.

Along with the Lions' two All-Americans, Blanks and his staff also coached the NJAC's Defender of the Year (Curtis), Midfielder of the Year (D'Imperio), saw four players earn All-Region honors and seven tabbed as All-NJAC selections.