Wednesday, January 22, 2014

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Former Viking standout Claire Morgan has been named the top assistant women’s soccer coach at Western Washington University.                 

Morgan, who graduated from WWU in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation, has directed the women’s soccer program at Whatcom CC the past three seasons, posting a record of 28-11-18 (64.9 percent).

The Orcas reached the quarterfinals at the NWAACC tournament in each of the last two years.   Morgan was named Northern Region Coach of the Year both times. They finished 10-2-8 in 2013, 11-4-4 in 2012 and 7-5-6 in 2011.

“Our players and I are excited to have Claire join our coaching staff,” said Connell. “As an alum, she bleeds blue and white and understands what is important to our program. She will help with almost all aspects of the team from coaching on the field to recruiting.”

The 25-year-old Morgan finished her four-year WWU career as the school's all-time leader in assists with 27, seventh in points with 77, and 10th in goals with 25. She was a three-time, first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star.

As a senior in 2010, Morgan was a second-team National Soccer Coaches Association of America West Region all-star. She started all 18 games, leading the team in both goals and assists with eight each. Five of her goals were game winners.

Morgan played in all 19 games as s junior in 2009, making five starts. She was a first-team NSCAA and second-team Daktronics Far West Region all-star as a sophomore in 2008. She started all 22 games, finishing with eight goals, including four game winners, and tied for team high with seven assists.

Morgan was the GNAC Freshman of the Year in 2007 and a second-team Daktronics regional all-star. Playing in all 20 games, she had seven goals and 10 assists for 24 points, all team highs.

Morgan was a three-time Northwest League all-star at Bellingham High School, posting career totals of 102 goals and 40 assists despite playing just five games as a senior.

Morgan replaces Katie Warner, who recently completed her master’s degree in international business.

WWU is coming off the best season in school history, reaching the NCAA Division II national semifinals and finishing 20-2-1.  The win total was a school record.

CAREER: In first year as top assistant coach at WWU … Head women’s soccer coach at Whatcom CC last three seasons, posting 28-11-18 record … The Orcas reached the quarterfinals at the Northwest Washington Athletic Association of Community Colleges Tournament in 2012 and 2013 … Named Northern Region Coach of the Year both times … WCC finished 10-2-8 in 2013, 11-4-4 in 2012 and 7-5-6 in 2011.

COLLEGE: Finished as WWU's all-time career leader in assists with 27 and 10th in goals with 25 ... Second-team National Soccer Coaches Association of America West Region and first-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star as senior in 2010 ... Started all 18 games, leading team in both goals and assists with 8 each ... Had five game-winning goals ... Played in all 19 games as junior in 2009, making five starts ... Had 2 goals and 2 assists for 6 points ... First-team NSCAA and second-team Daktronics Far West Region and first-team GNAC all-star as sophomore in 2008 ... Started all 22 games ... Had 8 goals, including 4 game winners, and tied for team best with 7 assists for 23 points ... Had 2 goals in 2-1 win over Dixie State on 9/13/08 and 2 assists in back-to-back home wins over Central Washington, 2-1, on 10/4/08, and Montana State Billings, 2-0, on 10/9/08 ... GNAC Player of the Week ... GNAC Freshman of the Year in 2007 ... Second-team Daktronics and first-team all-GNAC ... Played in all 20 games ... Had 7 goals (1 game winner) and 10 assists for 24 points, all team highs ... Assist total was two shy of school record ... Voted team's best offensive player ... Four letters ... Redshirt in 2006.

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time Northwest League all-star at Bellingham High School ... Had career totals of 102 goals and 40 assists despite playing just five games as senior.

PERSONAL: Graduated from WWU in 2011 with bachelor’s degree in recreation … 25 years old.