Kristin Spohn, a former two-time All-Northeast Conference standout as a goalkeeper for Monmouth University and most recently an assistant coach for the Hawks for the past three seasons, has been named the 12th head coach in the history of the New Jersey City University women’s soccer team.

Spohn assumes coaching responsibilities from NJCU Head Men’s Soccer Coach Kevin East, the coordinator of soccer operations, who coached both programs last season while the Gothic Knights competed on an independent schedule.

“Heading back into the New Jersey Athletic Conference is going to be a challenge for the women's soccer team, as our conference boasts many of the premier teams in the region,” said Spohn. “While it will be a rebuilding year, my expectations are to lay a foundation with the recruits that I have coming in for the future. I have commitments from players around the area who possess a lot of talent. I am looking for the newcomers to make an immediate impact in the program. I am also looking for the returners to provide leadership and experience during the next few months.”

“Kristin was a standout Division I women’s player and understands what it takes to compete successfully," said NJCU athletic director Larry Schiner. "She has been a valuable contributor at Monmouth as an assistant and she understands the recruiting landscape of women’s soccer in New Jersey. I feel she has all the tools necessary to be successful as head coach at NJCU, and that she will continue the growth the program experienced in 2004.”

As an assistant for Monmouth since 2002, her coaching responsibilities included recruiting and working with the defensive unit and goalkeepers. She also served as an assistant goalkeeper coach for the New Jersey Olympic Development Program (ODP) in 2003. She began her collegiate coaching career in 2001 as a graduate assistant at Fairfield University (CT) before returning to her alma mater.

Spohn also has experience on the youth and club soccer coaching circuits. From 2002-03, she trained the Old Bridge (NJ) Soccer Club U-10 and U-11 girls teams, and U-13 girls of the East Brunswick (NJ) Soccer Club. From 2002-04, she trained the U-17 girls team in the Peninsula Soccer Club in Ocean, NJ.

As coach of the Trumbull (CT) Soccer Club from 2001-02, she guided the U-12 girls’ team to a state cup championship.

Since 1998, Spohn has worked at both the Elite Girls Soccer Camp at The College of New Jersey and Monmouth University Girls Soccer Camp. She has taught at The Christa Aluotto Soccer Camp at Drew University since 1997. Spohn holds New Jersey State Youth Soccer Association (NJSYSA) Category “D”,”E” and “F” licenses.

A May 2001 graduate of Monmouth with a bachelor of science in Special Education/Elementary Education, she earned a master of science in Educational Counseling from Monmouth in May 2005.

A four-year player for the Hawks from 1997-2000, Spohn started in net as a junior and senior. In 1999, in her first year as a starter, she earned First-Team All-NEC honors while posting a 0.72 goals against average, and leading the NEC in saves (90), save percentage (.874) and shutouts (8.5). As a senior in 2000, Spohn led the Hawks to a 12-6-1 record, while earning First-Team All-NEC accolades for a second straight season. Spohn was runner-up for NEC Conference Player of the Year honors in 1999 and 2000, and a three-time selection as Monmouth University Student-Athlete of the Month, while earning ECAC Player of the Week accolades in 2000. She was a finalist for the 2000-01 Monmouth University Female Student-Athlete of the Year award.

A 1997 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School in Parsippany, NJ, Spohn was a four-year, three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball, and softball, for coaches Rich Fachet, Jim Rondosh, and Tim Wyatt. She was a three-time All-State, All-Morris County, and All-Iron Hills Conference selection in soccer. She also earned All-Conference and All-Area recognition in basketball and softball.