Courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

WESTFIELD, Mass. - The Westfield State University athletics department announces the resignation of men’s soccer head coach Matt Noyes.

In addition to announcing Noyes’ departure after his seven-year head coachingstint with the Owls, Westfield State athletics director Richard Lenfest stated that John Evans has been promoted to men’s soccer head coach, effectively immediately. Evans had served as Noyes’ top assistant coach since 2005.

“We wish Matt the best of luck; he did a fine for usbut his full-time job (Noyes is a captain for the Pittsfield Fire Department) commitments were becoming more demanding,” said Lenfest. “But we are excited that John will be staying with us and confident he can maintain the program’s competitiveness and success.”

“I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to coach at Westfield,” said Noyes, who posted a seven-year recordof 61-57-6, and led the Owls to the 2010 MASCAC regular season championship andan NCAA Tournament berth in 2006. “I loved being the coach and during my time there I was able to work with so many great student athletes. I will certainly miss it but unfortunately it comes down to a matter of time.”

Evans, who resides in Houstanic, Mass., is highly active in youth soccer in the Berkshires. He was director of Berkshire Hills Youth Soccer for 13 years and is a board member and coach for the Westenhook United Football Club. He has also traveled to Haiti for the past six summers to coach and teach the sport. Evans is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and played varsity soccer there for three years.

“I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to coaching a great and cohesive group of guys,” said Evans. “(NCAA) Division III soccer is a highly skilled level and fast paced.”