Former Rutgers men's soccer goalkeeper Lubos Ancin returned to Piscataway in 2014 as an assistant coach for the women's soccer program and was elevated to associate head coach for the 2022 season. Entering his 12th season on staff in 2025, Ancin made his mark on the program supervising the Rutgers goalkeeping corps, among other leadership and mentorship duties.
Across Ancin's tenure on staff, Rutgers has continued to reach new heights, becoming the 2021 Big Ten Conference Champions. The program has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in all 11 of Ancin's seasons with the team, advancing to the College Cup in 2015 and 2021. Ancin's presence has undoubtedly been felt by RU's defensive and goalkeeping unit each year. Since 2014, the Scarlet Knights have posted a total of 115 shutouts, while maintaining a goals against average of 0.99 or less for the 11 consecutive seasons of his tenure.
Ancin and the coaching staff led Rutgers to its first Big Ten Conference title for the program and school in 2021, posting an undefeated record of 10-0 in league action. Led by a program-high nine All-Big Ten selections, the team advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game for the third time since joining the league. In its 10th straight NCAA Tournament and first as a No. 1 seed, the team advanced to the College Cup for the second time in six years. The coaching staff was named the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Regional Staff of the Year following the historic season.
Under Ancin's leadership, the success of the goalkeepers and defensive units have led the nation and conference. On their way to the first College Cup in program history in 2015, the Scarlet Knights led the NCAA in goals-against average (0.37), shutouts (19), and shutout percentage (.731). All three statistical achievements set single-season RU records. In 2017, Rutgers reset two of those records in goal against average (.267) and goals-allowed (6), as the Scarlet Knights paced the NCAA in GAA and shutout percentage (.762).
Coached by Ancin, the Scarlet Knight goalkeepers have collectively earned three Big Ten Player of the Year Awards, two All-America, six All-Region, and six All-Big Ten accolades, in addition to earning Scholar All-America, Scholar All-Region, and Academic All-Big Ten recognition.
United States Women's National Team Goalkeeper Casey Murphy became one of the most decorated Scarlet Knights in program history under Ancin's leadership. Murphy, the 2015 and 2017 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, owns a resume that boasts her status as a two-time All-American, two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection, and two-time All-Region First Team honoree. In the classroom, Murphy was tabbed a Scholar All-American and Academic All-Big Ten recipient. Additionally, Murphy became Rutgers all-time career shutouts leader in 2017 with 45 total clean sheets across just three years of action. She was drafted into the National Women's Soccer League in 2018, going on to play professionally in France before returning to the NWSL in 2019.
Under Ancin's leadership & guidance, 2023 graduate Meagan McClelland earned a contract with the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL.
McClelland, who made a stellar debut on the collegiate scene, being named the 2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading the conference in GAA (0.60) and shutouts (8) across 1,785 minutes in goal. She also garnered Third Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and Third Team All-Region accolades. McClelland is currently a member of the USWNT U-23 pool. Since her arrival in 2018, McClelland is a four-time All-Big Ten, three-time All-Region, and four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. She recorded 43 shutouts, 294 saves, and graduated with a GAA of 0.69 across her five seasons guided by Ancin. She broke the NCAA record for goalkeeper minutes played in 2023 before graduating No. 2 all-time in NCAA history with 9,482:27.
On their way to the first College Cup in program history in 2015, the Scarlet Knights led the NCAA in goals-against average (0.37), shutouts (19), and shutout percentage (.731). All three statistical achievements set single-season RU records.
Murphy, who first set new Rutgers records in GAA, goals allowed (10), shutouts, and save percentage, was named the 2015 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Second Team All-American.
In 2014, Murphy was named the goalkeeper on the Big Ten All-Freshman team after posting a 0.64 GAA, .829 save percentage, 63 saves, and 10 shutouts while allowing just 13 goals in 20 contests in 2014. She was twice named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
Among true freshmen nationally, Murphy posted the second-best GAA, which overall was 21st nationally. In the annals of RU history, Murphy also stood out. She allowed the second-fewest goals, recorded the second-best GAA and posted the third-best save percentage of any freshman keeper in RU history.
Ancin joined RU with substantial playing and coaching experience. From 2004-2014, Ancin served as the assistant head coach at the Paul Blodgett Goalkeeper Training School, preparing and running practices for goalkeepers of all ages. In addition, Ancin was the assistant goalkeeper coach of the New Jersey Wildcats and the Robert Reasso Soccer School.
In 2017, Ancin joined the staff of Sky Blue FC, a New Jersey based club of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for the season.
A goalkeeper for the Scarlet Knights from 2003-05, Ancin played in 33 games and made 99 saves in his career. He finished with eight collegiate shutouts, once earning BIG EAST and ECAC Goalkeeper of the Week honors. Ancin was also placed on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week in October of 2004.
A Burlington High School product, Ancin was named a First Team All-State goalkeeper by the Star-Ledger and a first team all-league honoree by six different newspapers. He was the MVP of the Rutgers Elite Camp and the South Jersey goalkeeper of the year in 2002, as well as a first team all-Burlington County pick as a junior in 2001.
A native of Slovakia, he moved to the United States in June of 2001 after starting in goal for the Slovakian National Champions in 2000-2001. A member of the Slovakian Youth National Team in 2000-2001, Ancin played club ball with the Medford Strikers (2001) and FC Coppa (2002).
Ancin currently resides in Dunellen, New Jersey, and is married to his wife, Hana. The couple are parents to daughter, Juliet, born in 2015, and Ava Elizabeth, born in 2017.
