IMMACULATA, Pa.- Paul Murphy, Immaculata University Director of Athletics and Recreation announced Ashley Ainsworth as the Head Women's Soccer Coach and Operations Manager.

"We are excited to welcome Ashley to the IU family. Her belief in a positive team culture, along with the ability to motivate and communicate well with the student-athletes will enhance our program," said Murphy. "Ashley's successful high school coaching experience and her knowledge of the club scene will allow her to recruit talented players that will continue to represent Immaculata well on the field, in the classroom and in life."

Ainsworth comes to Immaculata after spending the past four seasons as Head Varsity Girls Soccer Coach at Bayard Rustin High School. Ainsworth led Rustin to appearances in the District One AAAA Tournament in each of her four seasons, advancing to the second round in 2023 and 2021. Ainsworth was Head Varsity Girls Soccer Coach at Kennett High School during the 2019 season and spent two years coaching with the Penn Fusion Soccer Academy with their 05 and 07 Girls Teams. Ainsworth spent two years as a Varsity Assistant Coach and JV Head Coach at her Alma-mater Padua Academy when the varsity team won state championships in 2014 and 2015. She won state championships as a player at Padua Academy in 2006 and 2007. She also coached with the Delaware Union program in 2014 and 2015 leading U18 and U15 Girls teams. She holds a USSF "D" License.

"I am very grateful and honored for the opportunity to build the women's soccer program at Immaculata that incorporates shared goals & values held by me, my staff, the team, and the school community," said Ainsworth. "I believe that my primary focus on collaborative culture building while creating strong communication, commitment to the process, challenging work ethic, and fulfilling the desire to compete will become a strong impact towards the direction I want to take this program. At the end of the day, I know that a team is only as good as its leader, and I know I can be that for them."

In addition to her coaching duties at Bayard Rustin, Ainsworth has been serving as a guidance counselor at Bayard Rustin since 2018 and has been the school counseling department chair since 2022.

Ainsworth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Delaware in 2012. She earned a Master of Education from West Chester in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance in 2016, and a Master of Science in Sport & Exercise Psychology from Lock Haven in 2019. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Nutrition Coach by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). She is an eight-year CrossFit level 1 Coach and a USA Weightlifting level 1 coach.