EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University athletic department announces the hiring of Jessica Cardwell as the schools fifth women’s soccer coach on Friday.
Athletic Director Corey Anderson said, “We are very excited to add Jessica Cardwell to the NCU family! Her experience as a state champion high school girls soccer coach coupled with her decorated collegiate playing career at George Fox University has prepared Jessica well for her newest athletic challenge. Jessica’s strength as a communicator and relationship builder will be instrumental in her success in taking over the NCU Women’s Soccer program. Jessica is very well connected locally which will enable NCU to get back to recruiting the talent-rich Eugene-Springfield area again. Jessica is already making a positive impact on our returning women’s soccer team with her commitment to them as students, athletes and women of faith and character.”
Cardwell comes to NCU with an impressive resume as a player and coach, highlighted by a six-year run as the head girls varsity coach at her alma mater, Thurston High School which is considered to be one of the most successful runs of any program in Oregon prep history.
During her tenure, the Colts won five league championships along with a 2012 Oregon 6A State Championship and No. 11 national ranking. She earned three Midwestern League Coach of the Year honors and in 2012 was Special District #1 Coach of the Year. She also earned OSAA 6A Coach of the Year honors that season and was the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
Coach Cardwell aspired to build more than a successful soccer team, investing her time to creating young women with strong academics, character, and work ethic. During five of her seasons at Thurston her teams were awarded Academic All-State honors, making the Top-Ten list all five years. Toward the end of her career, 90% of her seniors were committing to play at top colleges and university including all but one graduating senior in 2013.
Cardwell resigned from Thurston following the 2013 season to pursue a volunteer opportunity with Forward Edge International, serving as a team facilitator with a program in Managua Nicaragua called Villa Esperanza, working to rescue children from human trafficking. She also helped found Fall Creek Academy in 2011 and continues to teach third grade for the charter school, now called Mountain View Academy.
Coach Cardwell said, “First of all, I want to thank God for the opportunity to be here at Northwest Christian University, coaching a group of young women who are passionate about soccer. I feel very blessed to be working under Corey Anderson and with an athletic staff that is focused on moving in such a positive direction. I am thrilled with the group of young women that I get to build this program around and I am excited for us to take the field this fall.”
After graduating from Thurston, Cardwell went on to a successful playing career at George Fox University. The goalkeeper earned All-Northwest League honors during all four years including First-Team honors as a senior. She was a 16-time NWC Player of the Week and earned All-Academic Team honors for all four seasons. Cardwell remains the Bruins career leader for shutouts (18) and owns the single-season record for save percentage.
Cardwell graduated from George Fox in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
Coach Cardwell will begin working with the current women’s soccer team and recruiting for the 2015 season immediately.