REDLANDS, Calif. – University of Redlands Head Women's Soccer Coach Suzette Soboti recapped the 2021 season for the Maroon and Grey in our second edition of Coaches' Corner.

Looking back on the season, what were some of the highlights?

The number one highlight is just being back on the field with the team!  It was a terribly rough year and a half for everyone.  When one of the things that defines you is all of a sudden taken away and you have no control of it – it is hard….really hard.  All of us were just so grateful to be whole again working together and having fun with our passion.

How would your players describe you as a leader? What is your leadership style?

I think they would describe me as fair with a high expectation for team support, work ethic and tenacious play.  I believe my style based on servant leadership – modeling what we can do for one another makes the whole team better.  I also believe it's a coaching affiliate style to create strength in a positive team moral and to grow individual accountability to success allowing for democratic input to solve problems if they arise. 

What is your vision for the program? What is your coaching philosophy?

To develop strong independent effective women who will be successful in all they aspire to be and do.  My philosophy is to be brave, risk, learn and repeat.  Do not see failures as a roadblock but rather the motivation to fuel the desire to find a way to succeed. 

How do you attack recruiting heading into this offseason? 

We are on the road to many tournaments to evaluate prospects.  Then there are a lot of phone calls and visits to ensure our prospective student athletes have the best information to make their decision.  They need to know Redlands is the right place for them academically, athletically, financially and socially.

What was your most memorable moment as a coach this season?

The win versus Chapman at home.  We had just lost to them 3-0 about a week earlier and to see the team rally and compete together to overcome the disappointment from the previous game marks it for me – Be brave, risk, learn and repeat!

What differentiates the University of Redlands to other like institutions?

1. The people – not just the students – they are fantastic visionaries who have hearts and drive larger than life – but the staff administrators and faculty who do so much with so little to make the student experience far more than you would expect. 
2. The study abroad experiences – 80 different locations – its something I wish I had been able to do and I encourage all of my student athletes to do it.
3. The collaborative academic spirit – from the creative new Johnston College courses to the 4-1 School of Business MBA or MSBA to the new Graduate School of Theology opportunities to the School of Education experiences.  Students are able to combine across the units more easily now and be more prepared for the job market than ever.  Now with the School of Continuing studies offering summer courses and certificates – there will be almost nothing a student couldn't accomplish at Redlands

What drew you to coach here at the U of R? 

The opportunity to be a head coach of not one but two sports, while at the same time growing them both into SCIAC champions and NCAA contenders.  I have also enjoyed having the opportunity to create an environment the student athletes would remember fondly, empowering young females to be the best at whatever their passion is and the location of Redlands – a perfect spot to enjoy all of what California has to offer.