SONOMA STATE SEAWOLVES
Coach's homecoming will bring a bright future

Women's soccer coach Emiria Salzmann.

Former Sonoma State assistant coach and National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American soccer player Emiria Salzmann is back.

Salzmann is returning to Sonoma State after a stint at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she was named NSCAA West Region and National Coach of the Year. As head coach of the Bear Cubs, Salzmann led her team to four Big 8 Conference championships. The Bear Cubs were nationally ranked at No. 3 in 2008 and at No. 4 in 2010. Her teams included six All-America and eight All-West Region student-athletes. Salzmann returns to Sonoma with a proven track record.

Now, as she takes the reins of the Sonoma State women's soccer team, Salzmann feels like she's back on her home field.

"Being back at Sonoma State is simply a surreal feeling," said Salzmann.

The former Seawolf played soccer for Sonoma State for three seasons, 1994-96. During her collegiate career Salzmann made her mark in the SSU record books. She still holds two of the three highest single-season goal totals in school history. She is one of Sonoma State's all-time leading scorers, ranking second with 38 goals and fourth with 83 points. During her senior year Salzmann scored 16 goals and was honored as an NSCAA All-American.

For Salzmann, being a part of the school and of the soccer program helped her learn a lot about herself as a person and as an athlete. Salzmann was to be inducted into the SSU Athletics Hall of Fame in October.

After graduating from Sonoma State, Salzmann had a brief career as a soccer athlete. She played semiprofessional soccer with the Sacramento Storm and the Sacramento Thunder 1997-99. She also played a year for NEC Nijmegen of Holland. Although Salzmann no longer plays soccer due to an injury, she still has the fire and passion, and has come to appreciate the game that much more.

This is a homecoming story: an All-American student-athlete has returned to her alma mater to coach the program. There are many challenges ahead for this new coach and the SSU women's soccer team. But with Salzmann's knowledge, desire and heart leading the way, this team looks to achieve great things.

As Salzmann puts it, "Coaching for the women's soccer team isn't just a job, it's a passion and obsession; it's in my blood and I am obligated to do my best. I feel it's destiny for me to be here."