California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Will Navarro
Christine Johnson Named Head Women's Soccer Coach
6/22/2022 11:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Athletics has officially announced Christine Johnson as the head coach of the women's soccer program. Johnson spent this past season as the acting head coach of the Matadors. She is officially the sixth head coach in program history.
"Christine stepped up to lead our women's soccer team through a challenging year," said Valerie Richardson, CSUN's Executive Associate Athletics Director/SWA. "She has brought stability and a renewed energy to the program, and we are excited to see what she can do in her new role as head coach. We have a great nucleus of returners and will welcome a large and talented recruiting class to campus in August, and we are looking forward to a competitive fall season."
Johnson joined the Matadors in March 2021 as an assistant coach before taking over acting head coach duties, a role she held throughout the fall and spring. Under Johnson, CSUN played one of the toughest schedules of any Big West team last season including facing five Pac-12 opponents, three of which were nationally-ranked teams. Among the team's season highlights, CSUN defeated Iowa State in non-conference competition for the program's first win over a Big 12 Conference team since 2010. Two Matadors earned all-conference honors while 14 earned academic all-conference accolades.
"I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead this program," said Johnson. "We have an amazing group who are working together, building upon the rich history and tradition of our program and striving to carry it to new heights. I'm looking forward to the start of the season and showcasing all of the hard work our team has put in during the offseason."
Before her time at CSUN, Johnson completed a five-year stint as the head coach of Division III Manchester University from 2016-21. She produced six all-conference honorees and 19 academic all-conference selections during her tenure. Johnson also served on the President's Diversity and Inclusion Council at the university while also working as an instructor in exercise science and athletic training.
Johnson previously was a U-14 head coach and director of college education for Crown City United Soccer Club in San Marino, Calif. from 2012-15. In addition to working with youth soccer players, Johnson also designed and hosted information presentations for college-bound student-athletes and their families.
Johnson also spent time at Arizona State, serving as an assistant women's soccer coach and lead recruiter from 2009-10. She would also complete three seasons in a similar role at Fresno State from 2006-09. Johnson assumed the interim head coaching role for the Bulldogs in 2009 during the program's coaching change that year.
During her playing days, Johnson was a standout at the University of Florida from 2001-04. She helped the Gators advance to the NCAA Tournament three times, highlighted by a Final Four appearance in 2001 and an Elite Eight berth in 2003. Florida also won the SEC championship in 2001 and the conference tournament crown twice during her collegiate career. As a freshman, Johnson was the third-leading scorer on the team and was named to the SoccerBuzz.com Freshman All-American Third Team after tallying 23 points. Over her career, she scored 20 goals and registered 54 points.
After her collegiate career, Johnson played professionally for the California Storm and the Football Club Bay Area Pride in 2009.
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"Christine stepped up to lead our women's soccer team through a challenging year," said Valerie Richardson, CSUN's Executive Associate Athletics Director/SWA. "She has brought stability and a renewed energy to the program, and we are excited to see what she can do in her new role as head coach. We have a great nucleus of returners and will welcome a large and talented recruiting class to campus in August, and we are looking forward to a competitive fall season."
Johnson joined the Matadors in March 2021 as an assistant coach before taking over acting head coach duties, a role she held throughout the fall and spring. Under Johnson, CSUN played one of the toughest schedules of any Big West team last season including facing five Pac-12 opponents, three of which were nationally-ranked teams. Among the team's season highlights, CSUN defeated Iowa State in non-conference competition for the program's first win over a Big 12 Conference team since 2010. Two Matadors earned all-conference honors while 14 earned academic all-conference accolades.
"I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead this program," said Johnson. "We have an amazing group who are working together, building upon the rich history and tradition of our program and striving to carry it to new heights. I'm looking forward to the start of the season and showcasing all of the hard work our team has put in during the offseason."
Before her time at CSUN, Johnson completed a five-year stint as the head coach of Division III Manchester University from 2016-21. She produced six all-conference honorees and 19 academic all-conference selections during her tenure. Johnson also served on the President's Diversity and Inclusion Council at the university while also working as an instructor in exercise science and athletic training.
Johnson previously was a U-14 head coach and director of college education for Crown City United Soccer Club in San Marino, Calif. from 2012-15. In addition to working with youth soccer players, Johnson also designed and hosted information presentations for college-bound student-athletes and their families.
Johnson also spent time at Arizona State, serving as an assistant women's soccer coach and lead recruiter from 2009-10. She would also complete three seasons in a similar role at Fresno State from 2006-09. Johnson assumed the interim head coaching role for the Bulldogs in 2009 during the program's coaching change that year.
During her playing days, Johnson was a standout at the University of Florida from 2001-04. She helped the Gators advance to the NCAA Tournament three times, highlighted by a Final Four appearance in 2001 and an Elite Eight berth in 2003. Florida also won the SEC championship in 2001 and the conference tournament crown twice during her collegiate career. As a freshman, Johnson was the third-leading scorer on the team and was named to the SoccerBuzz.com Freshman All-American Third Team after tallying 23 points. Over her career, she scored 20 goals and registered 54 points.
After her collegiate career, Johnson played professionally for the California Storm and the Football Club Bay Area Pride in 2009.
#UniteTheValley
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