CARSON – The California State University, Dominguez Hills Toros are proud to announce the appointment of Adriana Valdez Lopez as the new Head Coach of the Women's Soccer team. Bringing a wealth of experience and a strong track record of success, Valdez is set to elevate the program to new heights.
Coach Valdez, a highly respected figure in women's soccer, has an impressive coaching background, including a significant tenure at California State University, Los Angeles, where she served as Assistant Coach for eight seasons. As the lead assistant, Cal State LA achieved remarkable success, including a No. 2 NCAA regional ranking in 2023 and multiple NCAA Div. II tournament appearances. In 2022, Cal State LA won the CCAA Conference Title. Her recruitment efforts have been instrumental in bringing top talent to her teams.
"We are excited about Coach Adriana and the potential to kickstart the program back to conference and national prominence," said AVP/Director of Athletics Eric McCurdy. "She also has a great track record of NCAA compliance and academic success as we continue to recruit student-athletes who can win on and off the pitch. It's go time!"
Mr. McCurdy continued, "I would like to thank Dr. Kurt Patberg and Mammoth Consulting for leading our search."
Valdez is not only a highly respected figure in women's soccer, but also a dedicated scout for the USA Youth National team since August 2021, and serves as the Legends FC Girls Director for Orange County since December 2021.
Valdez holds a Master's in Coaching and Exercise Science from Concordia University Irvine, complementing her extensive practical experience with a solid academic foundation. Her coaching philosophy is centered around athlete development, focusing on building competence and character in her players.
"I want to thank Eric McCurdy, Natalie Lockhart, and the rest of the hiring committee for this great opportunity," said Valdez. "I am honored and could not be more excited to lead the CSUDH Women's soccer program. As soon as I stepped onto the campus, it felt like home, and I was very impressed with the facilities and resources available to our student-athletes."
Valdez continued, "I also would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to Cal State LA, Dr. Daryl Gross, Erik Garcia, Shannon Cross, and Ramon Melin. I wouldn't be the coach I am today without their help and support. I am appreciative of all the time we spent together and will be forever grateful."
Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in her approach. She recognizes the importance of creating a championship culture that encompasses more than just winning on the field but also fostering leadership and growth in life.
