LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin's University is excited to welcome Derek Faulkner as the third women's soccer coach in program history.
 
 "Following an extensive and highly successful search, on behalf of our committee, the women's soccer team and valued campus partners who participated in it, I am pleased to announce the hiring of Derek Faulkner as the program's next head coach," said Director of Athletics, Steve O'Brien. "Beyond his extensive playing and coaching experience, Faulkner's holistic view of intercollegiate athletics and developing student-athletes aligns extremely well with Saint Martin's mission and the values of this athletics department."
 
Prior to Saint Martin's, Faulkner spent two seasons at fellow GNAC school Seattle Pacific University, where he held the position of assistant coach for a Falcon squad that achieved hefty prominence at both a conference-wide and national level. In his first season with SPU, he was part of a run for the Falcons that led them all the way to a conference championship, a western regional crown, and a berth in the national quarterfinals. This season, Faulkner led the Falcons back to the GNAC tournament.
 
As a player, Faulkner attended Santa Rosa Junior College, before moving on to D2 national powerhouse Cal State-Los Angeles where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 2011 national quarterfinals. In addition to a coaching stint at his alma mater, Faulkner has held jobs at nearly all levels, including Division One Oregon State University, Junior College Indian Hills Community College, and NAIA Corban University.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to be the next head women's soccer coach at Saint Martin's University and would like to thank President Bonds-Raacke and Director of Athletics, Steve O'Brien, for trusting me to lead this program moving forward," said Faulkner. "My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Saint Martin's community. I am excited about the opportunity and cannot wait to get after it with the team as we compete in the classroom, in the community and on the field. I would also like to thank Arby, all of the players, and alumni for making my time at SPU so special. I wish the program nothing but success moving forward."
 
O'Brien expressed optimism for the program under Faulkner's leadership. "His experience coaching within the highly competitive GNAC, familiarity and success recruiting in the Pacific Northwest, and authentic desire to build a program reflective of our institution's ideals, will serve our student-athletes and Saint Martin's University well in the years to come."