Derek Faulkner to Take the Reins of Warrior Women’s Soccer Program

7/16/2019 11:03:00 AM

Jarett Thoren, Director of Athletic Communications

SALEM, Ore. – Corban University director of athletics Twiggs Reed announced on Tuesday that Derek Faulkner will assume the role of head coach for the Warrior women's soccer team. Faulkner, who had previously served as associate head coach for the Navy and Gold, brings an impressive résumé to his new position at the helm.

"We couldn't be more excited than to have coach Faulkner as our new head women's soccer coach," said Reed. "Derek has played soccer at an elite level. He also has five years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including experience here at Corban as an assistant coach during this past year. Coach Faulkner brings a wealth of knowledge as a coach; but, more importantly, Derek has a desire to develop godly student-athletes who will excel on and off the soccer field."

A gifted athlete during his own collegiate career, Faulkner competed at NCAA Division II California State University, Los Angeles following a pair of conference championships during his time at Santa Rosa Junior College.

While attending Cal State LA, he served as a centerpiece of the Golden Eagles' nationally-acclaimed soccer program, while also participating as a member of the school's basketball team.

On the pitch, the Golden Eagles held the No. 1 ranking in the nation during Faulkner's junior year, climbing as high as No. 5 in his senior campaign. During that final season, Faulkner helped spearhead the program toward its first-ever California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and West-Region Championships, netting the game-winning goal of the 2011 CCAA Tournament Championship—part of a performance that landed him on the conference All-Tournament team.

Faulkner would go on to begin his coaching career at his alma mater, helping Cal State LA to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015. The program enjoyed historic seasons during his time in leadership, with Faulkner mentoring 11 All-Conference selections, four All-Region All-Americans, one Academic All-American, and two subsequent professionals.

Transitioning to the NCAA Division I level, Faulkner took on an assistant coaching role at Oregon State University in 2016, aiding in all facets of the program. As a member of the Beaver coaching staff, he helped develop five All-Pac-12 honorees and a pair of All-Region award-winners. Additionally, he saw five former players sign professional contracts following their time in Corvallis.

Faulkner then spent a year coaching at Indian Hills Community College, during which he was a part of the 2017 Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year. Under his guidance, the squad reached the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Elite Eight, finishing the season ranked sixth in the national rankings.

Faulkner then joined the Warrior women's soccer staff for the fall of 2018, playing a key role in the team's development through recruiting and practice coordination.

When asked about his new role as the squad's head coach, Faulkner stated, "I am honored for the opportunity to be leading this group of young women on the field. Corban is an outstanding university, with a mission for student-athlete development that I really believe in." 

Having already been an integral piece of the Corban coaching staff, Faulkner's knowledge of both the school and the greater Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) gives him a key advantage as he takes the reins for this upcoming fall campaign.