Scott Atherley has been synonymous with University of Maine soccer, first as a student-athlete and now in his 23rd season as head coach of the women's program and 29th overall as a head coach in Orono. Led by a tenacious defense, the Black Bears are a challenging team to play against in the America East Conference every game. Atherley also leads a team that excels in the classroom, earning the earned the Division I Team Academic Award from the NSCAA yearly. 

Atherley guided the Black Bears through an unprecedented 2020-21 season. Before the season kicked-off, the University of Maine announced a $110 million athletic facilities plan. A soccer facility will be built in the near future. The season began on February 21, 2021 with a road contest at Merrimack College. The Black Bears earned a 1-1 tie on March 14 against NJIT. It was the first home game since 2019. Maine battled to a 1-1 tie in the final home game of the 2020-21 season. As is tradition, success off the field continued. The team posted a 3.84 spring GPA, which was one of the highest in the country. Multiple Black Bears earned awards at the University of Maine academic banquet.

In 2019, the Black Bears started the year 4-1 with a four game win streak. During the win streak, Maine outscored their non-conference opponents 8-2. Olivia Chalifoux was named America East Rookie of the Week during the four game win streak. A highlight of the season for Atherley's Black Bears came Oct. 13 when the Black Bears defeated Binghamton 3-1 in Orono. The team also thrived off the field, continuing the trend of academic success. Nicole Bailey earned a spot on the America East All-Conference team, while Beate Naglestad was named a 2020 Outstanding Graduating Student at the University of Maine.

In July of 2018, Atherley inked a three-year contract extension with the Black Bears. Maine finished the season 6-9-1. Maine went 4-3-1 during non-conference play while outscoring their opponents 20-9. A three game win streak started with Maine defeating Bryant 4-2 in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Emma Donovan scored the lone goal in the victory at Harvard, before the Black Bears hosted a 2-1 win over Siena. The Black Bears also defeated UNH, successfully defending the border. Julia Mahoney and Nicole Bailey each earned conference accolades. Athlerey’s teams continue to post high marks in the classroom with the 2018 squad finishing the semester with a 3.55 GPA. The high mark earned them a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award list. Maine also earned the Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Platinum Award given by the United Soccer Coaches (USC) organization.

The 2017 season saw the Black Bears finish 5-10-1. The Black Bears were highly competitive in all contests as eight of their 10 losses came by just one goal deficits. A highlight of the season for Atherley's Black Bears came Sept. 24 when Maine defeated eventual America East Champions Stony Brook, 1-0. Two Black Bears earned All-Conference accolades under the guidance of Atherley. The team also thrived off the field, continuing the trend of academic success. Two Black Bears earned spots on the America East All-Academic Team while senior Kendra Ridley was awarded the prestigious UMaine 'M' Club Dean Smith Award before being named a finalist for the America East Woman of the Year accolade. The accolade also earned Ridley a nomination for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.

In 2016, Atherley led the Black Bears to a fifth-straight America East postseason tournament berth and the 13th overall in the past 14 seasons. The team started the game on a four-game winning-streak. The team ultimately finished 7-9 overall and it’s 3-5 conference mark was good for fifth place overall. UMaine as edged by rival UNH, 1-0, in the quarterfinals but junior Kendra Ridley was named to the America East All-Tournament Team.

The 2015 Black Bears started hot, winning their first four out of the gate before cruising to a fourth place regular season finish. The successful year awarded Maine with a home playoff match in which it defeated New Hampshire in penalty kicks. Atherley's leadership led Maine to a 9-8-2 year as he mentored America East Rookie of the Year, Vivien Beil, as well as America East Defender of the Year, Noelle Leon-Palmer. The Black Bears were awarded five total all-conference selections and continued to be dominant defensively under Atherley, ranking second in the league in goals allowed (1.11), goals against average (1.07) and shutouts (7).

In 2014, Atherley led a team that surrendered just over a goal a game en route to having the America East Defender of the Year in Noelle Leon-Palmer and America East Keeper of the Year in Claudia Dube-Trempe. In addition to Leon-Palmer and Dube-Trempe earning major awards in 2014, the duo was joined by Charlene Achille on the America East First Team. Joanie L'Abbe was named to the America East Second Team, while Kendra Ridley was an All-Rookie selection. Eve and Joanie L'Abbe were each named to the America East All-Academic squad. 

In 2013, Maine was the second seed in the America East Tournament as the team finished with a mark of 9-5-5. Maine finished in a 1-1 draw against Stony Brook in the America East semifinals, but the Seawolves advanced to the championship game via penalty kicks. Maggie Malone was named the America East Defender of the Year and earned a spot on the 2013 NSCAA All-Region Team. He also coached senior Lisa Bijman who was named to the America East First Team, the America East Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year and one of three finalists for America East Woman of the Year. 

In 2012, Maine posted a 7-7-3 record overall, with a 3-3-2 mark in America East Conference play. Charlene Achille was named America East Rookie of the Year and also earned a spot on the NSCAA All-Region Third Team. The Black Bears were once again earned the 2011-2012 Team Academic Award from the NSCAA. 

In 2011, Maine finished 5-9-1 with victories over Charleston Southern, Holy Cross and Rhode Island early in the season. Freshmen Jordan Pellerin and Camille Varin-Tremblay each earned a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team. The Black Bears continued to excel in the classroom, leading all America East women’s soccer teams with a 3.42 grade point average. Eighteen student-athletes were named to the America East Academic Honor Roll, with 11 receiving Commissioner’s Honors for obtaining a 3.5 grade point average or higher.  

In 2010, Maine finished with a record of 9-9 and a mark of 3-5 in America East play. The Black Bears finished sixth in the America East regular season standings, but became the first team in conference history to win back-to-back road games to earn a berth in the title game. Maine defeated Hartford 1-0 in the quarterfinals, before downing second seeded Stony Brook 3-1 in the semifinals. 

Maine lost to Boston University in the championship game, but the run left them hungry for a return in 2011. It was the fifth time that Maine had played in the title game. Hannah Breton, Kaitlyn MacIsaac and Kelsey Wilson all earned a spot on the America East Al-Tournament Team. Wilson earned a spot on the America East Second Team, while Lisa Bijman was an All-Rookie Team choice. Maine placed four on the America East All-Academic team, including Wilson who was named to the CoSIDA / Capital One All-District Second Team. 

Atherley led the Black Bears to a 9-5-3 record, including a 5-2-1 mark in conference play and its seventh straight America East playoff berth in 2009. The Black Bears’ earned a spot in the America East semifinal game after a 2-1 overtime victory over New Hampshire. It was the sixth time in the last seven years that Maine advanced to at least the semi-finals. Maine received several honors, including Anjelica Hodgson and Laura Martel being named to the America East All-Championship Team. Martel was also named America East Striker of the Year after scoring 13 goals. Martel and Hodgson were also named first-team All-Conference. Christina Di lesi was named to the second team, while Meagan Price-Leibenzeder was named to the All-Rookie squad. The Black Bears also had 16 players named to the America East Academic Honor Roll.

Atherley led the Black Bears to a 6-6-7 record in 2008, including a 3-3-2 mark in conference play and an America East playoff berth. The Black Bears’ advanced to the America East semifinal game after a victory over Hartford. Maine received several honors in 2008, including Jasmine Phillips and Kim Stephenson being named to the America East All-Championship Team, Stephenson and Cristina Di Iesi were being named to the America East Second Team, and Stephenson and Anjelica Hodgson being named to the America East All-Academic Team. In addition, Hodgson was also named to the prestigious ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA All-Academic District I Team. The Black Bears also had 17 players named to the America East Academic Honor Roll and had a combined GPA of 3.35.

In 2006, the Black Bears finished 14-4-2 on the season and 5-3-0 in America East play. Maine set a school record for wins in a season and competed in its fourth straight America East Title game. Atherley led Maine to its first-ever NSCAA top-25 ranking. In addition, the Black Bears were ranked in the top-6 in the NSCAA Northeast Region Poll every week. Maine allowed just eight goals on the season. The Black Bears never allowed more than one goal in a game and never allowed a goal in the first half of a game. Maine’s 14 wins were tops in America East. Canuel and Harper were both selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas NCAA Division I Women’s Northeast All-Region Team. Canuel was selected to the First Team, while Harper received Second Team honors. Harper and keeper Jasmine Phillips were each named to the Soccer Buzz Northeast Region Second Team. In addition, Bouchard, Canuel, Harper and Pekrul were all selected to the America East All-Academic squad. Canuel and Harper were each named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team.

In 2004, The Black Bears earned a share of the 2004 America East regular season title and played in the America East title game for the second year in a row. Marie-Andree Canuel was named America East Rookie of the Year and a freshman All-American, the first in program history. Maine had seven players honored by America East in 2004. The Black Bears earned the NCSAA /adidas Team Academic Award and Emily Stevens and Allison Kelly were both named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team. Maine finished fifth in the nation in shutout percentage and eighth in GAA, the highest ranking in school history. The Black Bears also set school records for most shutouts (12), fewest goals allowed (11) and lowest GAA (0.65).

In 2003, Maine advanced to the America East Championship game in its first-ever postseason appearance, and finished in a 0-0 tie with Boston University. The Terriers advanced to the NCAA Tournament via penalty kicks. The Black Bears rewrote the record books after compiling a record of 13-3-3. Atherley led Maine to 13 wins, five more than the previous high set in 1996. Maine also set school records for most shutouts (11), most goals scored (40), fewest goals allowed (13) and fewest losses (3). The Black Bears allowed just 0.65 goals per contest. Atherley saw three of his players earn America East First Team honors, while two were named to the Second Team. Linda Consolante was a member of the Canadian World Cup Team and earned a silver medal in the Pan Am Games with Team Canada. His squad continued to have success in the classroom as they earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic Award for the third year in a row for maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average. Jen Buckley was named an Academic All-American.

In 2002, the Black Bears were recognized as the top academic women’s soccer team in the America East Conference. The team boasted a 3.31 GPA, while 13 players were named to the America East Honor Roll. In 2000, Atherley’s first with the responsibility for only the women’s program at UMaine after serving as coach of both the men’s and women’s teams in 1999, he recruited a freshman class ranked among the top 50 in the nation by Soccer Buzz online magazine. Among his recruits were the first high school All-American in program history, and four players with Canadian National Team experience. Atherley then proceeded to guide the Black Bears to the most wins since 1997.

Atherley served as coach of the UMaine men’s soccer team for seven seasons. In 1995, he led the team to 10 wins, the most by the Black Bears since 1990 and five conference wins, the most in school history. His squad received the 1995 NEISL Fair Play Award for sportsmanship.

In 1994, Atherley was named Maine Collegiate Coach of the Year when he led the team to its first conference tournament appearance since 1990, the 1994 Diadora Classic title, and tied the school mark for consecutive wins with six. The Black Bears recorded a 1-0 win over nationally ranked Brown.

A native of Andover, Conn., Atherley was a standout player for the Black Bears during his career. He was a four-year letterwinner at UMaine, serving as team captain his final season where he was selected to the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) All-Star and Maine Collegiate All-State teams.

A 1988 graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, Atherley also earned his master’s from UMaine in exercise physiology in 1991. Atherley resides in Bangor, with his wife, Lynn. He has a son, Carson, and two daughters, Teagan and Kyelin.