Savannah Stoughton completed her second season as an assistant coach with the UNCW women's soccer program in 2025 after joining Chris Neal's staff in December 2023.
During the 2025 campaign, Stoughton helped UNCW capture its third regular season title in program history. The Seahawks finished the season with an 11-3-4 overall record and the No. 1 overall seed for the CAA tournament with 23 points and a 7-0-2 record in CAA play. UNCW's unbeaten record during conference play marked the first time in program history that the Seahawks finished a full slate of conference play undefeated.
The Seahawks kept six clean sheets during the 2025 season and finished the year with a .722 win percentage, surpassing the mark of .719 set in 2021 for the best single-season win percentage in program history. UNCW also ended the 2025 season unbeaten in 10 straight matches, tying the all-time program record which was set during the 2004 campaign.
During the 2025 season, five Seahawks earned all-league honors. Forward Hailey Longwell became the first player in program history to be named CAA Attacking Player of the Year after leading the CAA with six goals and 15 points during conference play. Sophomore defender Ava Chuderewicz was named to the All-CAA first team. Defender Rachel Fry, goalkeeper Morgan Hobbs, and midfielder Ava Vaughan all earned a spot on the league's second team.
Before arriving in Wilmington, Stoughton spent two seasons on staff at Auburn. She was also a four-year letter winner at High Point from 2015-18. A team captain, she helped the Panthers to the 2017 Big South Championship and subsequent NCAA berth.
While at Auburn, Stoughton helped facilitate goalkeeper training, opponent scouting, practice planning and contributed to game strategy meetings. She also oversaw the Tigers' student manager staff and interned in Auburn's equipment room.
"From the beginning of the interview process, Savannah felt like a great fit for our coaching staff. She has also played at a high level and has done a wonderful job of developing a well-rounded coaching experience over the last several years," said Neal. "She was successful at Auburn, in a very intense and high-demand SEC environment, and that experience will serve her well at UNCW. I am very excited for her to join the team."
Stoughton began her coaching career at Bishop McGuiness High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. before ascending to the collegiate level at Wabash Valley College, a NJCAA school, in Mount Carmel, Ill.
The Rohnert Park, Calif., native assisted in all aspects of the Warriors program including coaching, recruiting, film, budget management and fundraising. A total of 15 players went on to earn scholarships at the NCCAA, NAIA and all three NCAA Division levels during her season at Wabash Valley.
Stoughton was a forward at High Point, where she appeared in 59 games and made seven starts in her four-year career. She totaled four assists and collected 23 shots with the Panthers.
Following graduation, she enjoyed a stint with Bergerac Perigord FC, a women's professional league in France.
Stoughton completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Francophone Studies from High Point, along with minors in Computer Science and Business Administration, in May 2019. She completed her Master of Education in Adult Education from Auburn in Dec. 2023.
She holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National D License as well as a USSF Grassroots Certificate. Stoughton is a registered Yoga instructor and is certified in CPR and AED by the American Heart Association.
