U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer head coach Carlos Mendes announced that Salma Tarik has joined the program as an assistant coach in February 2023. Tarik brings a wealth of experience to Kings Point from an impressive history with the sport, including standout appearances playing at Division I Hofstra University, on the club level both in the U.S. and in her native Egypt, and on the international stage for the Egyptian Women's National Soccer Team, to go along with numerous coaching stints at the local youth club, high school and collegiate levels, including as a Division III head coach in the Skyline Conference.

"I am extremely excited to get to work here at USMMA, both on the field and in the classroom," said Tarik. "The program had a great first season under Coach Mendes and I'm looking forward to help build this program into a powerhouse in the Skyline Conference. I want to thank Coach Mendes, Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz and the entire hiring committee for putting their trust in me. I can't wait for our first spring practice with the team in a few weeks."

While working full-time positions with the South Bronx Early College Academy, the Special Olympics New York and at South Side High School over the past few years, Tarik spent time serving as the head coach at the Long Island Soccer Club (2022-23) and Plainview Old Bethpage Soccer Club (2019-21), and was an assistant coach at the UWS New York Surf Soccer Club in Long Island in 2017. She was also a long-time head coach with the nearby East Meadow Soccer Club, and the Olympic Development Program.

After earning her USFF "C" License in 2014, Tarik gained collegiate head coaching experience at fellow Skyline Conference institution St. Joseph's-Long Island during the 2016 season, where she guided the Golden Eagles to an appearance in the Skyline Conference Tournament. While at St. Joseph's, Tarik was recognized as one of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 30 Under 30 coaches.

Tarik, who had been a member of the Egyptian Women's National Soccer Team since 2008, represented her home country in the African Cup of Nations, at World Cup Qualifiers, and at Olympic Qualifiers for over 10 years. At the 2016 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Tarik scored the Pharaohs' only goal of the tournament late in their historic win over Zimbabwe, the country's first ever victory in the competition.

As a Division I student-athlete at nearby Hofstra University, Tarik spent three seasons as a striker for the Pride. Over her illustrious career, she earned First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors, a selection to All-CAA Tournament Team and the All-Mid-Atlantic Region team and was a finalist for the National Player of the Year Award from Soccer News Net. She currently ranks fourth all-time in scoring in Hofstra women's soccer program history.

"I'm extremely excited to welcome Coach Tarik as the first ever assistant coach of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer team," said Mendes. "She will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program. Salma had a tremendous playing career both collegiately and internationally. Her collegiate coaching experience as both an assistant and head coach will help us grow the foundation of our young program for years to come."

A 2011 graduate of Hofstra with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Tarik went on to Mercy College for her Master's Degree. While completing her coursework for a Master's in Human Resource Management, she served as an assistant coach with the Mavericks' Division II men's soccer team. She graduated from Mercy in 2016. Tarik recently became certified in New York State as a Physical Education instructor. She currently resides in Port Jefferson, N.Y.