2006 Sol Women

Sonoma County Sol completed its third year of providing elite amateur soccer to North Bay fans of the sport. At the end of the season, it is time to reflect on the accomplishments of the last year that are the result of the hard work of the players, coaches and volunteers that contributed to a successful year.

Fulfilling the vision that has always been the intent of the founders of the Sonoma County Futbol Club, the Sol fielded its first women’s team in 2006. First year head coach Emiria Salzmann worked feverishly to organize and recruit an outstanding team from the large pool of standout local and college players to compete in the 37 team Women’s Premier Soccer League rated the second best women’s soccer league in the world. Sol amassed a 9-4-1 record and was defeated only once at home, good enough for a fourth place finish in the Western Conference, defeating every team except one at least once in the process

Men Win National Amateur Championship Tournament
and Reach Second Round of Open Cup

The men’s team started out with a bang, winning the Pacific Division Championship in the semi-professional international indoor league known as Premier Arena Soccer League.

In outdoor soccer, the men’s team, under the direction of head coach Dave Shaffer, finished third with an 11-8-1 record in the highly competitive Northwest Division of the National Premier Soccer League. In Cup play, the men’s team again won the USASA Regional Tournament, held this year in Seattle, propelling them into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the USASA National Open Championship Tournament in Frisco, Texas.

In the Lamar Hunt Open Cup, (the oldest soccer tournament in the U.S. which allows amateur sides to compete against the best professional teams) Sol defeated the Ogden Outlaws of the Premier Development League 1-1 on penalty kicks in the first round. The win qualified Sol to travel to Charleston to play the United Soccer League First Division Charleston Battery, losing 1-0 in a closely fought game against the professional side in the second round. Sol was the highest placing team from the National Premier Soccer League.

A major highlight of the season was the USASA National Open Cup Tournament in Frisco, Texas, where the four champions from the regional tournaments faced off. Sol defeated the FC Roma of Dallas, Texas in the semi final by a score of 3-2. Roma was a quality opponent that had previously defeated Chivas USA of Major League Soccer 0-0 on penalty kicks. Sol went on to defeat the Chicago Lightning 1-0 in the National Cup final.

In 2006, Sol continued to provide quality, elite level soccer for our fans and a place for local High School, SRJC, SSU and other college players to develop and continue their soccer careers while promoting the world’s most popular sport in our own community. At least five SOL players in 2006 will play professionally in 2007.

Women Hand LA First Loss

Defeat Ajax 1-0 On O’Sullivan Goal

June 26, 2006 Itching for payback from their 2-1 loss to Ajax of Los Angeles on their home turf June 18th, the Sol women’s team took the field in the first game of the Sol double header last Saturday. Most of Sol’s regulars were back from commitments that kept many of them from traveling to Southern California for last Sunday’s game. Ajax had a small squad, but their best players were made the trip.

The game started out with Sol pushing forward time after time with several good chances. Early in the game, Amada Harris made a powerful run up the left flank getting off a great cross to the head of Julia Schnugg who struck the ball well but just right of the net. Sol kept popping shots and making strong runs but could not convert. Finally, they sagged in energy a bit in toward the end of the first half but Ajax could not find the net either. At the beginning of the second half, Sol was rejuvenated and brought the game into the Ajax half. Finally, in the 80th minute, midfielder Emily Thompson played a ball up to forward Fiona O’Sullivan just inside the penalty area. O’Sullivan trapped the ball down and was able to shield, turn and shoot the ball for a powerful goal that was the only scoring the game would see.

LA, seeing that the upstarts from Northern California might actually win, poured it on toward the end of the game. Keeper Aly Winget made two crucial saves to keep the shutout in tact.

Several Sol players had notable per-formances including Kristine Relja, Liz Taylor and and Marian Dalmy in defense, Harris, Caitlin Hannegan and Crystal Howard in attack. Taylor was awarded player of the game. Sol out shot Ajax 13 to 6 on the game. Winget was forced to make 4 saves while the LA keeper made 5.

This win brings Sol to a record of 6-3-1 on the season and places them tied for first in the conference with the San Diego Sea :Lions. However, the Sea Lions, Ajax and California Storm, considered the top teams in the conference, have played several fewer games so the playoff picture is still murky.

Next weekend Sol travels to Las Vegas to play the Tabagators currently in last place in the League. Sol, then travels to play a second game against the East Bay Power before returning home on July 16th to play the California Storm.

Women Travel to Southern California

June 16, 2006 The Sol women travel to Southern California to play against the tough San Diego Sea Lions and the Los Angeles Ajax of America. Both teams will prove to be very tough at home as they sport a number of former WUSA and US National Team players on their rosters. Sol is currently 5-1-1 and with 7 games played, is in first places in the Western Conference of the Women’s Premier Soccer League based on accumulated points. However, several of the league powerhouses have played fewer games. This road trip will likely prove Sol’s sternest challenge of the season.

Sol Dominates - Fails to Score

in 0-0 Tie with SF Nighthawks

June 4. 2006 In their second meeting, the San Francisco Nighthawks were obviously playing for the tie in the opening game of the double header. Packed like Coldstone Ice Cream around their goal, they accepted the pounding of a relentless Sol offense which compile 14 shots to 2 for SF. Sol created chance after chance with hard work from forwards Valerie Barnes, Elyse Shelger, Fiona O' Sullivan, Nikki Poole and Amanda Harris. Goalkeeper Aly Winget did not have to make a save in the entire game. Sol also welcomed midfielder Stacey Strong to the team. She proved very effective in ball movement and directed short, quick and effective passes throughout the game.

So Sol did everything but score. Defender Kristine Relja did an outstanding job of organizing the defense and restarting the attack. For this, she was awarded the D & S player of the Game.

The women are now 4-1-1 in the Western Division of the WPSL.

Women Down SF Nighthawks

2-1 on the Road

May 22, 2006 The Sol women completed the perfect weekend for the Club by downing the San Francisco Nighthawks 2-1 on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Kezar Stadium.

Suffering a bit from playing a tough game just 12 hours before, Sol played just well enough to capture the win and to achieve a 3-1 WPSL record.

The scoring opened in the 42 minute when Emily Thompson was on the end of a pass across the goal, driving it home, scoring her third goal of the weekend. San Francisco answered when a short clearance by keeper Aly Winget got tangled up in midfield and popped free to be driven home by midfielder Kristina Hall low past Winget's outstretched arm, into the left corner.

Alexica Bosque rescued the game by making a great run and shot beating the Nighthawk goalkeeper late in the 2nd half.

Bosque and Thompson accounted for 5 goals on the weekend between the two of them.

Sol struggled a bit with tired and bruised bodies from the night before and the wet and slow field conditions of Kezar Stadium. Nonetheless, as Coach Salzmann said, "you know you have a good team when you don't play well and still win."

Next up for the Sol ladies are the Las Vegas Tabagators who will play at Ernie Nevers Field on Saturday, May 27th at 7 pm.

Sol is looking ahead to a tough road trip on June 17th and 18th when they travel to San Diego to play a night game against the Sea Lions on Saturday night and then play the next day against Ajax America of Los Angeles, featuring U.S. National Team players Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx and Mia Hamm.

Women Dominate Sacramento FC Pride in 3-0 Win

May 17, 2006 The Sol women were scheduled to play Sacramento FC at 5 PM on Saturday in a double header with the men. In order to accommodate Comcast broadcasting of this game, the Sol women will play at 7 PM Saturday at Ernie Nevers field. The men's game has been postponed.

May 17, 2006 The Sol women's team got off to a roaring start this past weekend, playing two games and coming away with a respectable 1 and 1 verdict.

Sol defeats San Diego Sea Lions 2-1
The inaugural game of the women's team was played at Ernie Nevers Field on Saturday night. The hard work of coach Emiria Salzmann showed as the ladies demonstrated why it is called "the beautiful game." Young goalkeeper Gina Pellegrini had a steady game between the pipes, but was helped by a strong defense consisting of Cat Sigler, Lizzy Taylor and the recent addition of Cal players Katherin Daiss and Kristine Relja. The result was only 4 shots of which 3 were saved by Pellegrini. Hard work and outstanding passing of midfielders Emily Thompson, Caitlin Hannegan and Chrystal Howard resulted in domination of the game. Erin Wofford, Julia Schnugg and Amanda Harris were outstanding on the front line with help off the bench from Natasha Richardson and Fiona O'Sullivan.

May 10, 2006 Finally, the women get their shot!!. On Saturday May 13th at 7:00 PM, Sonoma County Sol women’s soccer team will kick off its season in the competitive Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) against the San Diego Sea Lions at Ernie Nevers Stadium at Santa Rosa High School. Then on Sunday, the team will travel to Sacramento to face the internationally 8th ranked California Storm in WPSL action (sorry, Brandi Chastain is on maternity leave). After two successful years developing the men’s program, the Sonoma County Futbol Club is fulfilling its promise to the community to field a women’s team. This will provide aficionados of the women’s game the opportunity to see the highest level of women’s soccer available in the U.S. right here in Santa Rosa.

The WPSL is considered to be the 2nd best women’s soccer league in the world. With the demise of the Professional WUSA, the very best players in the country migrated to the semi professional teams of the 39-team national league that features international stars such as Sissi and Daniela, U.S. National Team members like Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny and Danielle Fotopoulos and legends like Brandi Chastain - among many others! For more information on the WPSL, visit www.wpsl.info. The WPSL is the only stand-alone national women's soccer league in the United States and is affiliated with FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation. Wambach plays for the Ajax America team of Los Angeles, a team that Sol will play twice this year.

To compete in this league, first year coach Emiria Salzmann has assembled a who's-who of younger and more senior soccer players from the local area while also going on a strong recruiting drive to bring in talented Division 1 and 2 college players from the major programs in Northern California including Santa Clara, Cal, University of San Francisco, Sonoma State and Chico State.

Salzmann’s goal for the first year is to develop a competitive program and to create a good atmosphere to build on for the future. Building on the strength and experience of the older players, she wants to develop a supportive attitude in the team and make it a fun for the younger players. The team will, on average, be younger than the other teams in the League.

Sol will feature both youth with significant potential and top level experience in the net. Sol recently signed University of North Carolina 3 year starter Aly Winget. Winget is the all time career save leader at the legendary UNC program and was second in the nation in 2005 in goals against average. Winget was on the U.S. Women’s National Team in the U 15, 16 and 18 age groups.

Santa Clara goalkeeper Megan McCray is expected to join Sol later in the season. McCray, finishing up her freshman year, started 4 games for Santa Clara. McCray has been a member of the U19, U17 and U16 National Teams and was an alternate for U19 World Cup in Thailand.

The youth movement in goal features two recent standout high school graduates…Gina Pellegrini (headed for Cal) and Sarah Peters (on the way to UC Davis).

Coach Salzmann is most excited about the defense that she has developed. The defense will be lead by recently named team captain Cat Sigler (Santa Clara and Notre Dame), Liz Taylor (Washington) both coming out of strong Santa Rosa United youth teams. Salzmann is also excited to welcome Santa Clara defender Marian Dalmy to the back line along with Kara Breithaupt (USF), Kristine Relja (Cal) and Sierra Simmons (Cal Poly-SLO) also will be seeing time on the back line.

Napa’s Sierra Schlesinger (Cal), Santa Rosa’s Stacey Strong (USC), Alaskan Emily Thompson (SSU), Liz Malm and Jenny Craighead (Chico State) will bring strength, toughness and aggressiveness to the midfield. Sonoma State’s exciting scoring sensation Chrystal Howard will spearhead the attack.

Both youth and experience will bring excitement to the attack of Sol. Exciting high school graduates Alexica Bosque (headed for St. Mary’s) and Natasha Richardson (bound for Cal) represent a youth movement of speed and skill. Cal’s Valerie Barnes and Julia Schnugg and Santa Clara’s Bonnie Bowman and Elyse Shelger bring outstanding Division 1 experience while hard working Erin Wofford (SRJC) will also bring excitement. Amanda Harris (SSU) is a force of nature whether she has the ball or not.

Sol faces two tough opponents in their opening weekend. The San Diego Sea Lions draws from the outstanding college soccer programs throughout southern California. The Sea Lions were the 2000 WPSL National Champions and have served notice of their intention to regain their former title.

The legendary California Storm were WPSL National Champions in 1999, 2002 and 2004 and feature such marquee players as U.S. Women’s National Team and Women’s 1999 World Cup Stars Brandi Chastain and Shannon MacMillan and Brazilian World Cup Star Sissi. This should be good!

Kara Breithaupt, currently a USF star defender, and Liz Malm, a top defender and midfielder from Chico State, are the latest two players to sign for the Sol. Head Coach Emiria Salzmann believes Breithaupt and Malm “are ready to bring strength and experience to the Sol defense.”

Breithaupt is another Santa Rosa United Youth Soccer Club and a Montgomery High School alum. While at Montgomery, she was Kara Breithaupt

a 3-time All-League First Team selection and a 2001 and 2003 All-Empire selection. During her freshman season at University of San Francisco, Breithaupt was one of only two freshmen to start all 20 matches for the Dons, which earned her a spot on the roster for the West Coast Conference Freshman Team. In 2005, she saw action in 15 games. “Brian and I agree that Kara is a solid center back whose greatest asset is her ball-winning ability. I have seen her play against strikers that are fast and crafty, but Kara is wonderfully patient, has excellent timing, and is a superb tackler. We have every confidence that she is going to be rock solid in the back for us.”

Liz Malm, a midfielder originally from La Habra, was a four-year all-star from Chico State. She was voted First Team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) for the 2004

and 2005 seasons, and was also named to the NSCAA All-Far West Second Team for 2005. This past season, Malm anchored a defense that gave up just 18 goals in 22 games, setting a Wildcat school record for goals against average (GAA) in a season (0.82). The team also recorded 10 shutouts, which helped the Wildcats earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament Far West Regional for the second straight year. Salzmann feels that Malm will help strengthen the midfield and defense for the Sol, adding “At the moment, we have a really strong, experienced group of center defenders and midfielders. Liz is the type of player that plays everything one and two-touch and is very selfless, so she makes everyone around her look like a better player. Brian and I were impressed with her vision, her quick and simple game, and the poise she showed in situations where the game was moving quickly and chaotically. She is a huge asset to our roster.”

Head Coach Emiria Salzmann announced the signings of local standout Erin Wofford and Santa Clara regular Bonnie Bowman to the Sol roster for the upcoming 2006 summer season. “Erin and Bonnie are both unique and special athletes. What they bring to the team will be very valuable in helping us compete at the highest level of competition,” Salzmann said.

Wofford, a star performer at Maria Carrillo High School where she earned First Team All-League and Team MVP honors her senior year, has been a standout for the past two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College. In her two years with the Bear Cubs, Wofford tallied a combined total of 29 goals and 19 assists, earning her All Nor Cal 2004 and 2005, All Region 2004 and 2005, Leading Conference Goal Scorer in 2005, and First Team All-America in 2005. Wofford has committed to Boise State for 2006 season. “What I’m especially excited about in signing Erin is that she is an extremely competitive and intense athlete. She is the type of player that rises to the occasion and seems to thrive in situations that push her out of her comfort zone.” Wofford was also a former teammate of Sol midfielder and USC Freshman All-American Honorable Mention Stacey Strong on the Santa Rosa United Storm, one of the most successful youth teams to ever come out of Northern California.

An NSCAA All-Far West Team selection in 2001, Bowman is poised to bring experience and maturity to the midfield and forward positions. A standout Bonnie Bowman

midfielder and sweeper at Notre Dame High School in San Carlos, Bowman was also a two-time All-League First Team selection and Team Captain and Team MVP in 2000. She also rostered on the Cal North State ODP U-16 and U-17 teams during her youth club career. Bowman red-shirted her freshman year at national soccer powerhouse Santa Clara University due to ACL surgeries, but made her debut in 2003 versus San Jose State. As a sophomore in 2004 she saw action in 11 contests and made her season debut against another national soccer powerhouse, Notre Dame. Bowman was teammates with Sol defender and local standout Cat Sigler. Salzmann said, “Bonnie is a solid presence – she is strong, calm, simple, and mature. She is also a very positive and confident person and player. She is the type of personality we need on a first-year team, someone who the younger or less experienced players will look up to and respect.”

February 25, 2006 Coach Emiria Salzmann announced Sonoma State Seawolves superstar Amanda Harris as the third player to commit to the Sol for the 2006 season. A native of Manteca, California, Harris was a top offensive player from East Union High School where she was voted First Team All-Valley Oak League for 3 seasons and was also a First Team All-District selection.

As a freshman at Sonoma State, Harris appeared in 16 games of which she started 8. By her sophomore year, Harris appeared in 18 of 19 games and was an All-CCAA selection.

In her junior year, Harris appeared in 19 of 20 games, tallied 15 starts, and her 24 shots were second on the team for the season. She sat out in 2004 with injury but returned in 2005 to her best year ever, earning All-CCAA and NSCAA All-Far West Region honors by impressing the entire region with her unbelievable speed, strength, and courageous style of play. Harris was also honored by her SSU teammates when she was voted the team’s LEAD US award, which honors the player who best exemplifies the qualities of Leadership, Effort, Attitude, Dedication, Unselfishness, and Skill. During 2005, Harris was a member of the WPSL team California Storm, which lost the WPSL National Championship in penalty kicks to the eventual Champions F.C. Indiana.

When announcing her latest signing, coach Salzmann said, “Spizz is the type of player you never forget, not as a coach nor as a spectator. Very few times in your life do you ever get a chance to see, let alone coach, an athlete who is as brave and tough as Amanda Harris. Physically she is an absolute athletic power; incredibly strong, incredibly fast, and for the beatings she subjects herself to, incredibly hardy! However, although physically unforgettable, it’s her heart and her courage that you will leave you wondering ‘how does she do it?’ I am so excited to have her on our team.”

February 19, 2006 Stacey Strong, former Santa Rosa United Storm standout and one of the best youth players to ever come out of Sonoma County, has committed to the Sonoma County Sol for the 2006 season. While playing for the Storm, Strong contributed to an unbelievable club and tournament record which

included 3 State Championships, US Club Soccer Finalists, Western Regional Quarterfinalists, Western Regional Champions, and numerous finals and championships in the best tournaments and showcases across the country. Strong was team captain for 7 years and was Santa Rosa United Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2005. Also in 2003, Strong was part of the Regional Camp Elite team that won the Nike Friendship Cup, and in 2006was invited to the U-20 National Camp held at the Home Depot Center in January.

Not surprisingly, Strong was also a high school standout at Montgomery High School. She was MVP her sophomore, junior, and senior years on a team that were North Bay League Champions (2001, 2002, 2003) and North Coast Section Champions (2003). Montgomery also garnered a 2003 NSCAA High School #1 National ranking after posting a 45-0 record throughout the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Strong was First Team All-League (2001, 2002, 2003), First Team All-Empire (2002, 2003), North Bay League MVP (2003) and All-Empire MVP (2003, 2004).

Highly recruited by the best colleges across the country, Strong committed to USC and in her freshman year started all 22 games and tallied 4 goals and 3 assists in one of the best conferences in the country, the Pac-10. Her performance earned her a spot on the 2005 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team and a 2005 Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American Honorable Mention. USC went 14-6-2 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

“Signing Stacey to the Sol is an unbelievable moment not only for the Sol but also for women’s soccer here in Sonoma County, because it is a tribute to her parents, the club, and the coaches who have developed a player of this magnitude,” said Head Coach Emiria Salzmann. “Stacey has proven herself at every level of competition as a truly elite soccer player and her experience at USC and the National Camp will be invaluable to the Sol, especially as we prepare to compete in the best league in the country. She is the type of player that the youth players here in Sonoma County simply must come out in droves to watch play.”

February 8, 2006 Head Coach Emiria Salzmann today announced as the first signing for the Sonoma County Sol Women’s team. This is not the first coach-player partnership between Salzmann and Sigler; Sigler played for Salzmann on the Santa Rosa United Thunder, the club team that was the subject of Jonathan Littman’s book entitled “The Beautiful Game.” Sigler was a two-year captain, starting sweeper, and an integral part of the success of Thunder. Sigler also played for Salzmann for one season at Ursuline Catherine Sigler

High School in 1998. While at Ursuline, Sigler was a two-year captain, competed her junior year at the ESP National All-Star tournament in North Carolina, was an All-Empire Player of the Year, and earned 3 All-Conference and All-City honors and was a two-time Regional MVP. Sigler helped Ursuline win two conference titles and three sectional titles on a nationally-ranked team that posted an incredible 75-9-1 four-year record. Sigler was invited to play on the U-19 ODP team and at the 2001 Adidas ESP camp in North Carolina.

After high school, Sigler was highly recruited by many of the top soccer programs in the country and ultimately committed to Notre Dame. In her freshman year, she earned second-team Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American honors, was selected to the All-Rookie Team from the Big East Conference, and was named to the Great Lakes West Regional Freshman Team. She started all 21 matches and led the Fighting Irish to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and a 13-8 overall mark.

Sigler decided to transfer to another national soccer powerhouse, Santa Clara University, after her freshman year. As a sophomore in 2003, Sigler started seven matches and saw action in 13 contests, missing some matches due to injury. In 2004, she started 20 contests in the defense and saw action in 23 contests and was part of a defense that posted 15 shut-outs on the season and held opponents to a 0.62 GAA. By her senior year in 2005, Sigler missed nearly half the season due to injury but during her appearances marked some of the best strikers in the nation.

Salzmann is extremely excited about the addition of Sigler to the Sol roster: “Cat is the total package. Not only is she athletic, competitive, tough as nails, and totally unintimidated by anyone, she is a leader through and through. Time and time again I have trusted Cat to lead the back line and to get the team motivated and mentally prepared for each match. Cat, Brian, and I have always had a special relationship which I feel will translate really well on the field this year. Every coach dreams of having a player like her because she leads, she listens, and she wants to win. In our inaugural year, to sign a player like Cat Sigler is like Celtic signing Roy Keane; we can’t wait to see her out on the pitch.”

Sigler’s full name is Catherine Elizabeth Sigler. Her parents are Chris and Leslie Sigler and siblings are C.J., Brittany, and Patrick. C.J. Sigler plays for the Sol Men’s team.

January 16, 2006 Emiria Salzmann, head coach of the new women's Sonoma County Sol, today announced the appointment of Brian Halloran as Sol Assistant Coach. Salzmann and Halloran coached together previously with the Santa Rosa United Thunder, the team that won the State Cup championship in 1998 and was the subject of the book entitled "The Beautiful Game" in 1999. Salzmann and Halloran also teamed up in 1999 to coach the Piner High School varsity team in an attempt to revive the soccer tradition at Salzmann's alma mater. Their coaching history resulted in a great friendship and a desire from both parties to coach again in the future. "I am excited about the opportunity to be associated with the Sol and for our local players to have the opportunity to play at the highest level of women's soccer in the United States. I am looking forward to working with Emiria again and have enjoyed previous times I have assisted her." Salzmann added, "Coaching with Brian for four years was one of the best and most fulfilling coaching experiences I have ever had. Not only do I trust Brian completely both as a person and as a soccer mind, but he will add humor and objectivity and give me the balance that I need as a Head Coach." Halloran has been a Santa Rosa United coach since 1997, Piner High School varsity coach from 2000-2003, and holds a USSF "D" license. He is a Scorpio and enjoys nights at home by the fireplace.

January 4, 2006 Sonoma County Futbol Club President Ramiro Briceno announced today that Emiria Salzmann has been appointed the Head Coach of the brand new Sol Women’s Team. When learning she had been named Head Coach, Salzmann said:

"I feel honored to have been chosen to coach the Sol, not only because it will be exciting to give the fantastic players in Sonoma County a chance to play outside of college and to stay local, but also because it is an incredible opportunity for female athletes in general to continue to play at a high level. This team has been a long time in coming and I am impressed with the commitment that the members of the Sol board have shown toward making this happen. My job, along with my Assistant Coach, is to establish a highly competitive environment that is both challenging and fun. We realize that our players are likely going to be very different in terms of age and playing experience, and our task will be to unify the team so that each player feels responsible and protective toward her teammates. Ultimately, we aim to build a team that is highly competitive, unified, and proud of being a member of the Sol. I would like to encourage any player who is interested in trying out for the Sol to contact me as soon as possible and to visit the website at scfcsol.com for information and updates. We are looking to hold tryouts either in mid to late February and/or early March with practice beginning in late March. "

With a lengthy soccer resume involving success both as a player and coach, Salzmann (30) is poised to provide outstanding organization, tactical knowledge and leadership to the new Sol women’s team that will be playing in the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL). She has a strong background coaching women soccer players at the high level at which Sol competes. Most recently she served as the Assistant Coach at Sonoma State Women’s Team. For 3 years prior, Salzmann served as an Assistant Coach at the Division I Long Beach State Women’s Team, which competed in the Big West Conference.

Salzmann had success coaching at the high school level in Sonoma County where she was head coach at Ursuline in 1998 and her alma mater Piner High in 1999. At Ursuline, her team attained both North Coast Section and CIF championships, while rising to a #2 national high school ranking. In youth soccer, she coached for several years with Santa Rosa United where her team “Thunder” captured the State Cup championship and advanced to the Regional finals. Her first year, during which she took an underachieving team to a 1998 State Cup championship, was chronicled in the book The Beautiful Game by Jonathan Lippman.

As a player, Salzmann broke the single season all time scoring record for Sonoma State University in 1996, the year she attained All American Honors. Prior to that, she led her team in scoring at Santa Rosa Junior College and all 3 years she played at Piner High School. Salzmann also has playing experience in the league in which she will coach, on the semi professional Sacramento Storm and Sacramento Thunder. She traveled abroad in 2000-01 to Holland to play with the NEC Nimigen team where she sustained an injury that ended her career on the field.

Salzmann has a B.A. degree in Philosophy and will complete her Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology from Long Beach State in 2006. She has a National “D” Coaching License and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Regional Diploma. She was also an Academic All American at Sonoma State University.

Men Win National Amateur Championship Tournament and Reach Second Round of Open Cup

Men Win National Amateur Championship Tournament
and Reach Second Round of Open Cup