Hood athletics searches for new women’s soccer coach

By Zoe Finholm//

Hood athletics narrows down search for new women’s soccer head coach

Hood College’s athletic department is in the process of hiring a new women’s soccer head coach.

Director of Athletics Susan Kolb said that there were over 80 applicants with experience ranging from club to professional level.

Kolb, head coach of women’s basketball Jack Mehl, head field hockey coach Carley Shannon, head strength and conditioning coach Erika Moyer and women’s soccer assistant coach Julia Downing sat in on all the interviews. This group will make the final decision, along with input from Hood’s president, Andrea Chapdelaine.

“We held thirteen Zoom interviews in the first round, and we have now invited the last four applicants to come to campus for a final interview this week,” Kolb said.

The final four applicants include Amanda Evans, a current head coach at Mary Baldwin; Francisco Javier Mejia-Blau, a volunteer coach at Syracuse; Molly Kovarik, an assiatant coach at Washington College; and Stephen King, former semi pro player now coaching at John Hopkins.

The women’s soccer team, athletic staff, admissions staff and Hood’s administration are included in this final round of interviews.

The search committee is looking for a coach with “leadership, experience, ability to recruit, great addition to our staff and compliance experience,” according to Kolb.

Kolb is hoping to announce a decision before the team leaves for break in late November.