Steve Soriano is leaving his second home to return to his lacrosse roots as he joins the staff at Princeton University.

Soriano, who has spent most of his lacrosse playing and coaching career helping to grow the game in Kentucky, has been named an assistant coach at Princeton. Soriano is a native of Flemington, N.J., and he played high school lacrosse at Hunterdon Central High School, about 30 minutes from Princeton.

"Steve Soriano has already been a great addition to the coaching staff and the program," said head coach Matt Madalon. "He's clearly a very knowledgeable, very motivated, very hard-working young coach, and the guys have responded well to him already. We're always looking for the right people in every aspect of the program, and we clearly have found someone who fits really well with Steve."

Recruited by the late Hall of Fame coach Jack McGetrick, Soriano was a four-year letterwinner as a face-off specialist and defensive midfielder at Bellarmine University, the only Division I lacrosse playing school in Kentucky. While Soriano was there, the Knights made their first-ever Top 20 appearance, in 2013, his junior year.

Since graduation in 2014, Soriano coached on the club and high school level in Kentucky, helping Trinity High to a district championship and state semifinal appearance and then helping continue to build the program Christian Academy of Louisville. From there, he spent last season as an assistant at Bellarmine.

Soriano is working with the face-off men at Princeton, and he will also run the box on game days. In addition, he will assist Pat March with the offense.

"I am extremely excited to be a part of Princeton lacrosse," Soriano said. "Growing up in New Jersey, I was always a Princeton lacrosse fan. I am appreciate of Coach Madalon and the entire staff for having the opportunity to work with an elite program like this."