Coach Emily Kruger enters their fourth year a part of the Gaels coaching staff dating back to the 2022 season. As a player they were the starting goalkeeper at Cal from 2010-2013, posting 279 saves in almost 80 games played, a program record at the time. After graduating, Kruger played professionally for KR Reykjavik in Iceland for one season before joining Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL for two seasons. With the Thorns, Kruger played alongside former USWNT goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and 2014 FIFA Player of the Year Nadine Angerer.
After retiring from professional soccer, Kruger joined Coaches Across Continents to lead coaching courses for hundreds of coaches in eight different countries. Eventually they settled into a local soccer club in Alexandria, Virginia where they worked with teams and goalkeepers from U9 to U19. The Redwood City native is thrilled to be back home in the Bay Area and join the coaching staff at Saint Mary's.
