After helping the Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer program reach new heights during the 2014 season, Vanessa Valentine has been selected to continue as Acting Head Coach entering the 2015 campaign.
With Valentine serving as the top assistant to head coach Mike Dibbini, the 2014 Broncos posted a record of 15-6-1 as CPP advanced to the West Region title game in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. It marked the furthest in the playoffs for any Broncos' women's soccer team since 1999.
CPP closed the 2014 season with a No. 16 national ranking. It marked the second-highest ranking in program history, trailing only the 1999 squad that closed the year at No. 2.
The Broncos' women's soccer student-athletes have also excelled in the classroom, achieving the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic accolade.
Prior to joining the Broncos' coaching staff in 2014, Valentine expanded her coaching experience with stints at Hope International of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Long Beach FC Soccer Club. In 2012 and 2013, she served as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Strikers W-League Team.
A Cal State Fullerton graduate, Valentine was the team manager for the Titans' Division I women's soccer team. After graduation, she entered the club coaching ranks and held positions with a variety of clubs such as the Fullerton Rangers, San Diego Surf, Albion SC, Rancho Santa Fe and Carlsbad Elite.
As a student-athlete at Cal State Fullerton, Valentine competed for the women's soccer program from 2001 through 2004. She earned All-Big West Conference honors in each of her four seasons, including First Team selection as a senior. Valentine is one of four Titans all-time to become a four-time All-Conference honoree. She also led CSUF to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2001.
Valentine possesses a National "D" Coaching License and a bachelor's degree from CSUF in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology. A San Diego native, Valentine graduated from La Costa Canyon High School.
Looking forward, the Broncos' 2015 season will start in early September. The CPP roster will feature a veteran senior class, including All-Conference performers Megan Kisslan,Melissa Martinez and Rachel Killigrew. The Broncos also return rising sophomore Daisy Duran, who led the team in points with five goals and six assists.
Valentine started her tenure as Acting Head Coach after Dibbini accepted the head coaching position at Kansas State.
