Abelson arrived in Morningside Heights in September of 2022 after serving as the Development Program Director of Goooal Sports in Stratford, Connecticut.
Abelson has made an immediate impact as he played a critical role in helping Columbia earn its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history in 2023. The 2023 NCAA appearance was just the second in program history.
Columbia scored twice in the final 12 minutes to come back and defeat Rutgers in the first round of the tournament. The Lions finished with 11 wins in 2023, which is the first 11-win season for the squad since 2008. Columbia garnered national attention by appearing in the Top Drawer Soccer National poll four times in 2023, reaching as high as No. 22. It was Columbia’s first recognition in a national poll since 2008 when the team received votes in the NSCAA national poll.
The 2023 squad had five players represented on the 2023 All-Ivy League list. Senior goalkeeper Paige Nurkin and senior midfielder Kat Jordan highlighted the list by earning First Team All-Ivy honors. Junior defender Ania Prussak and senior forward Nata Ramirez took home Second Team All-Ivy honors, while junior Courtney Ruedt earned honorable mention status. The Lions tied a program record of 10 shutouts in 2023 and led the nation in goals against average for several weeks during the season.
His previous club experience includes stints with Connecticut Rush (Head Coach, Girls 2009 & 2010), Next Step Soccer Academy (Co-Founder and Director), Global Premier Soccer (Director) and Boston Breakers (Development Program and Education Director).
Formerly, Abelson served as the Associate Head Coach of the University of Bridgeport women’s soccer team. In 2018, the Purple Knights were NCAA Division II National Champions boasting both the Offensive and Defensive Final Four MVPs. At the conclusion of the 2018 season, the Bridgeport coaching staff was named National and Regional DII Coaching Staff of the Year.
From January 2017-May 2018, Abelson worked as the women’s soccer operations assistant at league-rival Harvard.
A native of London, England, Abelson graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2013 with a degree in sport and exercise science.
