CASTINE, Maine – Bill Ashby is stepping down as Head Women's Soccer Coach at Maine Maritime Academy, concluding his time at the helm of the Mariners.

In 2024, the team posted a 7-5-5 overall record and a 5-3-2 mark in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play, earning a spot in the NAC East Quarterfinals. The Mariners saw five student-athletes earn all-conference honors under Ashby's leadership, including First Team selections Kirra Magaña (Miami, Fla.), Hazel Stoddard (Old Orchard Beach, Maine), and Hadley Stoddard (Old Orchard Beach, Maine). Lillyanna Ash (Katy, Texas) and Emma White (New Sharon, Maine) were named to the Second Team, and Ja'Kia Aiken (Tecumseh, Mich.) was recognized on the NAC Sportsmanship Team. Magaña capped her career with NAC Player of the Year, Senior Scholar-Athlete, and NAC Woman of the Year honors.

Ashby, who returned to Castine in 2024, leaves behind a coaching legacy that spans more than four decades and includes over 450 collegiate wins. He previously led the Maine Maritime men's soccer program from 1992 to 1997 and served as the first women's soccer coach in 1997. His return in 2024 marked a full-circle moment, as he coached Mayako Brown (Frankfort, Maine)—daughter of former MMA women's coach Seth Brown '98, one of Ashby's former players.

Ashby's coaching career includes highly successful tenures at institutions across the country. As head coach at Maine-Fort Kent from 2006 to 2018, he compiled an impressive 219-16-6 record and led the Bengals to three USCAA National Championships. He earned USCAA National Coach of the Year honors in 2015, was a five-time NAIA Regional Coach of the Year, and received four Sunrise Conference Coach of the Year awards. His earlier coaching stints include time at Maine-Machias, Husson University, Brescia University (Ky.), and the University of Mary (N.D.), where he collected numerous coach of the year accolades and national tournament appearances. He also served as Director of Athletics at Fort Kent for over a decade.

Ashby's impact on Maine Maritime soccer is particularly notable. During his earlier tenure with the men's program, he posted a 64-43-6 record and coached several Academic All-Americans, including Maine Maritime Hall of Famers B.C. Voyou and Ryan Reed.

A national search for his successor is currently underway.