UMass Lowell Athletics

James Thorpe enters his first season as an associate head coach for the River Hawks, and sixth total season with the UMass Lowell women's soccer program in 2026. Thorpe was promoted to associate head coach in May 2026 following five strong seasons with the team.

Thorpe played an immediate role in UMass Lowell's success during his first year in 2021, helping the River Hawks post an 8–6–3 overall record, setting the school's Division I program record for wins in a single season. The squad also held a 5–3–1 conference record in the America East, earning a second-place finish in the regular-season and extending its postseason streak to four consecutive appearances. Four River Hawks also garnered All-Conference honors that year, demonstrating Thorpe's value to the staff.

Since Thorpe joined the women's soccer program, the River Hawks have hosted a playoff game in each of his five years on the staff. He also helped guide the team to the America East Conference Championship in 2023, marking the program's first appearance in the title game since 2018. So far in his tenure at UMass Lowell, he has helped coach and produce 12 All-Conference honorees, reflecting his consistency as a coach and recruiter.

Thorpe served as the associate head coach for the Rhode Island women's soccer program for two seasons and brings a deep knowledge of recruiting as well as player development to the UMass Lowell coaching staff. 
 
Serving as the associate head coach for the Rhode Island women's soccer program for two seasons, Thorpe comes to the River Hawks with a deep knowledge of recruiting as well as player development.

Prior to joining the Rams, Thorpe spent three years at Boston College as an assistant coach for the women's soccer team. With the Eagles, Thorpe was responsible for monitoring the academic progress of the student-athletes while also providing one-on-one instruction with the team. He also assisted in domestic and international recruiting and scouting opponents and the development and implementation of tactical and technical training sessions for the goalkeepers and field players.
 
In Thorpe's first stint at URI, he spent two seasons working with the Rams' men's soccer program, helping to develop their goalkeepers. During his tenure, Thorpe worked with three-time All-America Nils Leifhelm during his freshman campaign.
 
The 2007 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, Thorpe had an outstanding career at Franklin Pierce, where he helped lead the Ravens to a national title his senior year. In addition to being a national champion, he was a three-time All-American, a four-time Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Year and a four-time All-New England First Team honoree.
 
Thorpe also set the NCAA record - for all divisions - for minutes played, logging 8,391:11 over 93 career matches. He left Franklin Pierce as both the program's and conference's record-holder for career shutouts (49), career goals against average (0.66) and consecutive shutout minutes (578:52).
 
Thorpe went on to a professional career which included stints in both the MLS (D.C. United, 2008) and USL (Western Mass Pioneers, 2009). He then spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Evansville before joining the Holy Cross staff for the 2012 season.

A native of East Longmeadow, Mass., Thorpe earned his undergraduate degree from Franklin Pierce in 2008 and his graduate degree from Evansville in 2011.