OREM—Utah Valley University women's soccer coach Chris Lemay has announced the hiring of US Women's National Team member and current Washington Spirit player Ashley Hatch as a volunteer assistant coach.
"The addition of Ashley to our staff is incredible in so many ways," said Lemay. "For our players to have an in-house mentor on what it takes to play at the highest levels of the women's game is immeasurable. She is a fantastic person and player and will add to our culture, and competitiveness as soon as she is able to join us. We pride our program in being like a family and in this situation we will have two sisters making an impact this fall. Our hope now is that she and her team win an NWSL championship and then she gets the first flight back to Utah to get to work with us. Ashley has a desire to coach when her playing career is completed and this will give her great experience at the DI level. I am honored that she accepted our offer to be a part of our already strong staff and that she sees the value in learning here at UVU."
Hatch currently plays professionally for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL. She was drafted second overall in the 2017 NWSL Draft by the NC Courage where she was named the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year after tying a league record with seven goals. She led the Courage to the NWSL Shield in 2017 and an appearance in the NWSL Championship Final. Hatch currently leads the NWSL with 40 shots, ranking her one shot ahead of Seattle's Megan Rapinoe. She also ranks eighth in the NWSL in shots on goal (14) and 19th in goals scored (3).
The NWSL standout made her debut for the senior US Women's National Team on October 19, 2016 against Switzerland. She played for the U-23 WNT in Sweden for the 2017 U-23 Nordic Tournament where she scored a goal against the host country to secure a victory for USA. She most recently played for senior USWNT on April 5, 2018 against Mexico.
In October 2017, Hatch joined defending W-League champions Melbourne City for the 2017-18 W-League season. She made 14 appearances and scored a pair of goals in her debut season with the team. Melbourne City's success earned the team an appearance in the Grand Final against Sydney FC where Hatch helped the team to a third-straight championship.
"I am really excited for this unique opportunity to be a part of the Wolverine women's soccer family," said Hatch. "I am looking forward to learning from head coach Chris Lemay and the rest of the staff as I take on this new role. As a professional soccer player with a couple years of experience under my belt I hope to provide some new insights and perspective to individual players and the team as a whole. I'm really looking forward to contributing to the programs success this year. Go UVU!"
The Gilbert, Arizona native enjoyed a stellar collegiate career. She started all four years at BYU, where she claimed 47 goals, recorded 21 assists, and earned All America honors. She earned All-WCC First Team honors following her senior season and was named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which honors the top women's soccer player in the country. Hatch ranked third in the nation in scoring her senior season, scoring an impressive 19 goals, including a pair of hat tricks. She was ranked the No. 7 player in the national by Top Drawer Soccer and was named the Collegiate Women's Athlete of the Year at the Utah Governor's State of Sports Awards.
Hatch is working toward her bachelor's degree in family life at BYU. She is one of four siblings, including current UVU midfielder Brianna Hatch.
