Dara Battistoni is in her second year as an assistant coach for the Marist women's soccer program, counting the abbreviated 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A native of Pleasant Valley, New York, Battistoni joined the Red Foxes in February of 2021 following two-plus years at MAAC-rival Siena as an assistant under Steve Karbowski. In her first season with the Saints in 2018, the team went 6-2-2 in MAAC play and won 11 games, earning a trip to the MAAC Championship game. During her tenure, four Saints earned All-MAAC honors, including Taylor Dorado?s selection as MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2018. In addition, 31 Saints were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team in 2018 and 2019, with a program-best 16 in the latter year. Battistoni graduated cum laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University with her Bachelor of Science in General Science and a minor in psychology in May of 2018. She served as FDU?s Student Athlete Advisory Committee President during her senior year, and was the recipient of the Richard Panicucci Service Award. Prior to graduation, Battistoni was a four-year member on the Fairleigh Dickinson University women?s soccer team from 2014-2017. Earning Second Team All-Northeast Conference honors in 2017 and an All-Rookie Team selection in 2014, she appeared in 75 matches, including 59 starts. She recorded 18 career points, 13 of which came during her junior season when she ranked tied for sixth in the conference in scoring. As a center back, Battistoni helped guide the Knights to 46 wins and both an NEC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance as a sophomore in 2015. FDU won at least a share of three NEC Regular Season Championships during her career, while amassing a stellar 25-4-3 (.828) conference record. Battistoni concluded her senior year by joining the Knights? outdoor track and field squad, where she was named an NEC All-Rookie Team selection after placing seventh overall in javelin at the conference championships this spring with a mark of 34.58 meters.