Coaching Staff
Joe Barroso | Head Coach
Joe Barroso has become a mainstay on the sidelines for the Pioneers as he begins his 19th season at Sacred Heart in 2017-18. The kick-off of the 2017 season marks Barroso's 13th season at the helm of the men's program. Barroso guided the Pioneers to their first NEC tournament appearance since 2011 a season ago. He previously served as the head coach on the women's side for eight seasons, leading them to an NEC title and a berth in the NCAA tournament.
Barroso made an immediate impact on the SHU men's team in 2005, engineering the second biggest single-season turnaround in a conference history, leading the Pioneers to the playoffs for the first time ever in Division I. Barroso followed that up with another postseason appearance in 2007.
Barroso began his career helping lay the foundation of the women's soccer program at Sacred Heart serving as head coach from 1992-94. He amassed a record of 27-28-2 in those three years on sideline, receiving the regional Coach-of-the-Year award in 1994-95.
He is in his second stint at Sacred Heart after a five year hiatus in which he coached at the University of Bridgeport. He returned to help the Pioneers make the transition to Division I and guided the women's team to three straight Northeast Conference Tournaments. It was in 2001 that Barroso led the women's team to its first postseason tournament appearance where they enjoyed a magical run, capturing their first-ever Northeast Conference Crown and spot in the NCAA's. For his efforts Barroso was named Coach of the Year.
At the University of Bridgeport, Barroso was named the New England Collegiate Conference Coach-of-the-Year in 1997. He was 28-31-4 while coaching the women for four years. He also served as the head men's soccer coach for the Purple Knights from 1997-99.
Originally from Portugal, Barroso played at Southern Connecticut State University, where he was a member of that school's Division II National Championship squad in 1990 and is eighth on the Owls all-time scoring list with 99 points (41 goals, 58 assists). His 41 goals are sixth on that all-time list. He was chosen as one of the top-25 players in the country after his senior season at SCSU and picked to play in the Senior Bowl.
Barroso has played professionally both in Europe and the United States. He played for a First Division club in Portugal competing in the prestigious UEFA Cup and for both the Connecticut Wolves and the Boston Storm in the A-League of the USISL. Barroso was also a member of the United States National Team in 1990-'91.
Anthony Anzevui | Assistant Coach
Anzevui joined the Sacred Heart men’s soccer staff on Aug. 20, 2014. He assists in all facets of the program, including recruiting, the development of players, practice and gameday preparation, scouting, video analysis, team academics and day-to-day field training.
A decorated student-athlete at Sacred Heart University, Anzevui was a three-time NEC All-Conference defender. He helped SHU to several impressive seasons, including the biggest single-season turnaround in a conference history, leading the Pioneers to the playoffs for the first time ever in Division I in 2005. Anzevui followed that up with another postseason appearance in 2007. Prior to his collegiate career, Anzevui spent time in the youth academies of Sunderland A.F.C and York City F.C in England.
Anzevui graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology at Sacred Heart University (2009) and later added a Masters in Corporate Communications and Public Relations (2014). Anzevui played professionally for five years, beginning his career with the Western Massachusetts Pioneers in the USL (2009). He then enjoyed a pre-season training camp with F.C. Sion in the Swiss Super League before signing with F.C. Martigny in the Swiss 1 Liga (2011-2013). He then had a short stint with Aldershot F.C. in League 2 in England (2013).
He is licensed by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the Football Association.
Paulo DeOliveira | Goalkeeping Coach
Paulo DeOliveira returns for his 11th Season as an assistant coach for both Men's and Women's Soccer programs. DeOliveira, a Bridgeport resident, will continue to coach the goalkeepers this season.
Throughout his 10 years, De Oliveira has helped many goalkeepers reach their full potential including Matt Jones who his currently playing in the highest division in Portugal.
DeOliveira enjoyed a standout career at national powerhouse Southern Connecticut State University. The Owls won four regular-season championships and had four NCAA tournament appearances in De Oliveira's four years in goal. He was also a member of the Connecticut squad that won the National Championship in the U.S. Open Amateur Soccer Cup.
A two-time All-State selection while attending Bridgeport Central High School, he went on to be selected to the Northeast-10 All-Conference team while playing at SCSU.
He has played internationally in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Portugal. De Oliveira had a short stint in the Segunda Liga in Portugal for Desportivo De Chaves before he returned to the U.S to finish his B.S. Degree in Physical Education & Health at SCSU.
De Oliveira continued his studies and finished his Master's in Education at Sacred Heart and currently teaches in Trumbull. He continues to work as a goalkeeper coach for several camps and clinics throughout Connecticut.
DeOliveira resides in Bridgeport with his wife, Susan.
Brian Neumeyer | Assistant Coach
Brian Neumeyer enters his first season with the Sacred Heart men’s soccer program as a volunteer assistant coach.
Neumeyer joins the Pioneers staff after 19 years as the head coach of boys’ varsity soccer team at Newtown High School. Under his direction, the soccer program was named one of the top ten sports programs of the decade by the Danbury News-Times.
He was a member of the 1990 National Championship team at Southern Connecticut State University where he was a teammate of SHU Head Coach Joe Barroso.
As the former coaching director of Newtown Soccer Club, and a former Olympic Development Program staff coach, Neumeyer now works closely with local youth clubs in a coaching advisory.
Neumeyer resides in Monroe, Connecticut, with his wife and their two sons.