Lyndonville, VT - Vermont State University Lyndon has named Zach Blaser as its new Head Men's Soccer Coach.  Blaser succeeds VTSU Lyndon Director of Athletics Chris Gilmore, who coached the Hornets on an interim basis in 2023.

Blaser is a 2023 graduate of Northern Vermont University-Lyndon, now VTSU Lyndon.  He earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, and is now pursing a master's degree in Athletic Leadership through VTSU.

Blaser's coaching experience includes a stint as an assistant coach with Queen City Football Club in Burlington, VT.  He has also served as a goalkeeper coach for Virginia Legacy Soccer Club in Williamsburg, VA, and TuS Hohenburg in Hohenburg, Germany.

While in Germany, Blaser played goalkeeper in FC Amberg's youth academy for two and a half years, where he competed against other Bundesliga 2 youth academy teams.  He also played in the United States Olympic development program.  Earlier in his career he was a goalkeeper and wing with Spanish club CD Rota's youth academy.  Blaser's final stop in Europe was a three-month stint with SpvGG Weiden, after which he moved back to the United States.

Blaser played one collegiate season with Northern Vermont University-Johnson in 2019, before a series of injuries cut his college career short.  As a freshman in 2019, he appeared in 14 matches, starting 13 times in goal.  He led the Badgers to a 6-8-1 record and finished the season with 62 saves, ranking him fifth in the North Atlantic Conference.

Blaser is excited to make his mark on VTSU soccer.  "I look forward to working with the team.  I know several of the players during my time here as a student, strength coach and in my role as Assistant Director of Public Safety.  I know expectations for the next few years will be high and I will be doing everything in my power to help turn the program around."

Gilmore feels that Blaser is the right person at the right time.  "Coach Blaser comes to us to work to build our soccer program for future success.  His background stood out to us as we reviewed our candidates.  He has hit the ground running looking to build a core of young players that will be the future of VTSU Lyndon soccer.  We welcome Zach to the department."

In addition to his duties as Head Men's Soccer Coach, Blaser is also the Associate Director of Public Safety at VTSU Lyndon, a position that he has held since October of 2023.  

Blaser will make his debut as VTSU Lyndon head coach on September 2nd, when the Hornets host Paul smith's College in the 2024 season opener.