Ralton named women's soccer head coach

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has promoted Kayley Ralton to head women's soccer coach. UNG Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett announced the decision April 19 following an extensive national search.

Ralton served as the interim head women's soccer coach for the spring 2021 season, going 7-3 and making the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament as the No. 2 seed after reaching as high as a No. 10 national ranking during the season.

"I feel a great sense of pride to be appointed as the new head coach of the women's soccer program," Ralton said. "UNG is such an incredible institution, and I am honored to be a part of a nationally recognized athletic department. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett for believing in me to lead the program. I would also like to thank Derek Suranie and the entire search committee, and I am excited to be taking this next step."

Suranie is associate athletic director for internal operations. He led the search committee.

Starting before the 2017 season, Ralton served for more than three years as the assistant coach at UNG prior to taking on the interim role for the past season. In that time, she helped lead the women's soccer program to a PBC regular-season title, an NCAA second-round appearance and a 38-12-5 record. Each year, UNG finished in the top four in the PBC standings during her tenure as assistant coach.

"We are excited to name Kayley as our new head women's soccer coach," Plunkett said. "Her values and vision for the program align with our university and athletic department, and she has a proven track record of success as both a player and a coach in the Peach Belt and the Southeast Region."

A former four-year standout at Armstrong State University (ASU) from 2006-09, Ralton earned her bachelor's degree in history from ASU in 2010 while serving as a student assistant for the team that season. She served as a graduate assistant in 2011 and 2012 and earned her master's degree in sports medicine in 2013. She then served as a full-time assistant from 2013-16.

In her time on the ASU staff, she helped mentor the Pirates to three consecutive PBC regular-season titles and two PBC tournament championships. The Pirates were NCAA Southeast Region champions in 2011 and 2012 and reached the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2011.

Individually, she helped develop 12 All-Americans and 30 all-conference selections, including two PBC Players of the Year.

Ralton was a member of the Scotland U19 and U17 national teams and served as captain of the U17 team.