West Coast Alumni announced as Fresno Pacific University Women’s Soccer head coach. 

Amanda Valentine, West Coast Soccer graduate, recently took on the position as head coach of the Fresno Pacific University Women’s Soccer team this year. Amanda played for West Coast since the club’s inception (2011) and graduated in 2015 with a scholarship to play collegiate soccer at CSU East Bay and is now coaching at the collegiate level. WCS DOC and Head Coach, Troy Dayak stated, “We are extremely proud of Amanda! West Coast Soccer takes pride in creating a culture where our players can thrive and become positive influences for the next generation.  Her accomplishment as one of the youngest NCAA ll female head coach’s in America is immense. I recall the instant that I knew Amanda would be a great coach one day. It was our teams third attempt to win a national championship after coming runners up the first two years. I wasn’t sure what to expect on our third attempt as I tried two different philosophies or style of coaching. I’ll never forget as I was getting ready to give the team a pep talk before the game Amanda spoke up and said ‘coach don’t worry we got this, you have trained us for this day’ and we went on to win the national championship game two years in a row. We look forward to continuing to support Amanda on her coaching journey at Fresno Pacific University.”

Amanda’s Mother said-
“West Coast Soccer was family. That team through the years was the reason Amanda was so successful. Through the ups and downs of the teenage years Amanda and I had our Wild family (including Coaches and trainers) We got through everything!

Amanda started at U8 rec. She had a blast, her coach said this girl is a goalie!

A couple years with another club then at 12-13 West Coast Wild was formed! Troy, Luis, Dom, Katie, Maha! So many trainers! They were a lucky bunch!

Memories of our first Surf Cup! The feeling the girls had walking through the tunnel! And they’re first of many state and national championships, such great competitors. Amanda had a serious injury, a fractured lower back that kept her out for some time but her overcoming that was my best memory of just how tough she was. She played a few months with it hurt but ultimately had to sit out her Freshman college year. I thought she would never recover. 

I’m so proud of her! Being on this journey with Amanda has been so cool! I’m her biggest fan and can’t wait to see her coach these FPU women to a championship some day!”

Amanda herself had this to say:

 “I am beyond blessed to have been involved and influenced by the amazing soccer community at West Coast Soccer Club in Livermore, CA.

As a young player starting soccer I had Sara Girotto as one of my first coaches on her team. She showed me love and passion for the game at an early age. She taught us to have no fear and fight till the end! When Coach Sara asked the group, ‘who wants to be in goal?’ 
I raised my hand proudly, every time. 

When I hit the age of 12, Troy Dayak took over our group. After just a few weeks of working with us, he knew the perfect team name, the “Wild”. The energy and excitement to be on the soccer field every night was undeniably perfect. Troy molded not only me, but the entire group into strong young very talented women. He showed us how to behave with professionalism, fight for each other and how to channel our enthusiasm for the game. 

West Coast Soccer helped me develop in my specialized position as well! My first Goalkeeper trainer at West Coast was coach (Maha) Dave Mahabali and he put me to work! Maha taught me the importance being a well rounded goalkeeper. He saw my weaknesses as a young keeper and was able to help me fix them with confidence. 

When I entered high school, I met my final Goalkeeper coach at West Coast, Dominic Figueroa. Coach Dom took me in not only as a player but just like he would his own daughter. Dom created an environment for me and the other goalkeepers to feel empowered. Goalkeeper sessions were intense, technical, and educational. Still to this day I see Coach Dom as a mentor role model. 

During high school, is when our team reached new heights. We gained players from Modesto, Mountain House, and other cities around the area. This gave our team the depth we needed to win 5 straight state cup championships regional championships and 3x National championships. 

During high school, our team worked with a strength and conditioning coach, Katie Poynter. Katie pushed our team and the entire club past their limits. She exemplified what it would be like to play collegiate soccer. She was the perfect mother/coach role model. She believed in me and held me accountable during hard times in my life. 

The reason I mention all these coaches is because they all have had an impact on me. 
West Coast Soccer club gave me all the tools and resources needed for me to be successful. WCS showed me how this beautiful game can change a life. 
Now that I am one of the youngest NCAA college coach in the nation, my goal is to impact athletes the way that I was impacted and to share the love of the game that I learned at West Coast.”

Amanda Valentine
Head Coach  
Fresno Pacific University