Taking her first Schott

Following the abrupt resignation of Tim Bennett several weeks ago, the promotion of former assistant Laura Schott to head soccer coach made few ripples amid the immense success of Portland State’s basketball squads.

But playing backup is not a new concept for Portland State soccer. Despite playing in self-proclaimed “Soccer-town USA,” Portland State women’s soccer has gone largely unnoticed among soccer enthusiasts, likely because of the national success of cross-town rival University of Portland, as well as the Vikings’ inconsistencies on the pitch.

The hire of Schott, a native Portlander, injects fresh hope into a Portland State soccer team that has enjoyed a taste of success in recent years.

And Schott definitely has the credentials to get the job done.

“This is my first opportunity as a head coach, but I have played soccer my entire life,” Schott said.

After her distinguished playing career at Jesuit High School in Beaverton ended, Schott earned a double major in mass communication and political science from the University of California, Berkeley, while also receiving All-American honors during her stellar career for the Bears.

In addition to Schott’s illustrious prep and college careers, the former hometown soccer star also competed as a member of the U.S. National Team. Schott donned the red, white and blue in five matches during the 2001 Algarve Cup, even scoring a goal against Norway.

When Schott exhausted her college eligibility, she joined the Washington Freedom of the now-defunct WUSA league in the professional ranks. All these experiences played a part in helping Schott prepare for perhaps her biggest challenge yet: her first head-coaching opportunity.

“My experiences will help me relate to our players and give them confidence in me,” Schott said. “My goal is to help these student athletes progress in soccer, school and life, and I hope that my experiences will help them achieve success in those areas.”

Schott’s promotion to head coach will add credibility to the Portland State program with soccer diehards around the Rose City, an issue the Vikings have struggled to establish despite the area’s enthusiasm for the sport.

Maintaining the momentum following a 7-10-2 year that included an appearance in the Big Sky Tournament will be essential for the Vikings heading into 2008–an issue athletic director Torre Chisholm is confident Schott will address as head coach.

“We felt like the program was headed in the right direction, and elevating Coach Schott was important to continue that growth. It also keeps much of the continuity of the program and the atmosphere,” Chisholm said.

Even optimism cannot hide the fact that both Chisholm and Schott anticipate some growing pains during the first-year head coach’s initial season at the helm. Despite some coaching experience at the club level, the 26-year-old Schott feels confident her age will help her relate to her players and is glad to get her first opportunity in her hometown.

“Any first-time head coach will tell you that you have to get your first shot somewhere,” Schott said. “This is obviously my first, but it is at the place where I want it to be.”

Over the last three seasons, the Vikings have struggled to a 16-34-5 record, but with Portland State’s first Big Sky Tournament appearance in three years coming last season, Schott inherits a team that vastly improved under Bennett.

The Vikings graduated only one senior–a fine one in two-time conference Defensive MVP Juli Edwards–and their roster will be bolstered by the addition of a nationally heralded recruiting class of 11 players.

“Our short-term goal is to make the conference tournament, but long-term, we want to create a winning tradition here,” Schott said.

As Portland State’s path of improvement continues, they will be led by a coach whose work ethic and intelligence have helped her throughout her playing and coaching career.

“I am not ashamed to admit that I have worked very hard for things in my life, and I will continue to work hard here. I couldn’t draw up a more ideal scenario. To get my first opportunity here is terrific,” Schott said. “We are going to build something here that we can all be proud of.”

Schott’s career trajectory

Prep:

Jesuit High School

-Parade All-American and Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year as a junior and senior

-Led Jesuit to four straight state championships

-Part of an 82-game winning streak

NCAA:

Cal Berkeley

-Two-time All-American

-Four-time All-Pac 10 Conference

International:

U.S. National Team at 2001 Algarve Cup

-Appeared in five matches, starting four, and scoring a goal versus Norway

Professional:

Washington Freedom in 2003

-Member of 2003 WUSA championship team