WSOC | Former Cal Star Emily Kruger Joins SMC Staff
3/10/2022 10:48:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. — University of California's former all-time saves leader Emily Kruger has joined the Gaels as an assistant coach for the Women's Soccer Program.
Kruger graduated from Cal in 2013, where she posted 279 saves in 80 games played over four seasons, a program record at the time. She went on to play professionally in Iceland for KR Reykjavik for one season before joining Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL for two seasons.
The Bay Area native concluded her Cal career with a record of 41-19-13 and participated on the U.S. U23 women's team. Not only is she the all time saves leader at her alma mater, but she is third in team history in shutouts. She also achieved Pac-12 All Academic honors three out of her four years at the school.
After retiring from professional soccer, Kruger joined Coaches Across Continents to lead coaching courses for hundreds of coaches in eight different countries. Eventually she settled into a local soccer club in Alexandria, Va. where she worked with teams and goalkeepers from U9 to U19. The Redwood City, Calif. native is thrilled to be back home in the Bay Area and to join the coaching staff at Saint Mary's.
"The opportunity came about to join SMC because I actually played with Sam Witteman at Cal," Kruger said. "I heard she was moving on through the Cal Women's Soccer community and got connected with Theresa and Sarah right away. I'm most looking forward to building relationships with the players and helping them bring out their best selves on and off the field."
Head Coach Theresa Romagnolo is thrilled to have brought Kruger on board.
"We are so fortunate to have a coach of Emily's experience join our staff," Romagnolo said. "Emily is a former professional and collegiate soccer player and will be an incredible mentor with our student-athletes, specifically our goalkeepers. Most importantly she is invested in developing the whole person as we strive to develop strong female leaders within our program."
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