California State University - Sacramento Women's Soccer

Dedini, who has twice been named Big Sky Coach of the Year, enters his 10th season as head coach of the Sacramento State womens soccer team in 2016. Dedini, who took over the squad in 2007, has guided the Hornets to unprecedented success, including two NCAA Tournament appearances and two conference titles, both firsts in school history. He is the winningest coach in program history in terms of total wins and winning percentage.  Dedini, who ended the 2015 season with a career record of 73-76-21 (31-31-11 Big Sky), has guided Sacramento State to .500 or better conference records in five of his first nine seasons, including a regular season Big Sky title in 2007. The Hornets also won the Big Sky Conference Tournament title in 2007 and again in 2010 to earn the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In 2015 Dedini led his team back to the Big Sky Tournament and to its first postseason win since 2010, beating Eastern Washington 3-1 in the quarterfinal round. The win was the team's fifth straight postseason victory before the squad was narrowly outlasted by second-seeded Northern Colorado in the semifinals. Sacramento State's five regular season Big Sky wins were the most in program history and the team had three players earn all-Big Sky honors with a second team selection for forward Kayla Collins, who led the team with 7 goals and 6 assists for 20 points. Dedini has mentored a total of 28 first or second team all-Big Sky selections, including offensive player of the year Katie McCoy in 2007 and conference Golden Boot (point leader in conference games) winners McCoy (2007) and Kim Kemper (2008). McCoy and Elece McBride were named Big Sky Tournament MVPs in 2007 and 2010, respectively. The team had eight all-Big Sky selections in 2012, including a first team honor for senior Victoria Ramirez and a second team accolade for freshman Kassidy Kellogg. The Hornets narrowly missed Big Sky Tournament berths in both 2013 and 2014, playing with a chance to make the postseason in their regular season finales. The 2013 squad was dealt a big blow when Kassidy Kellogg suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of the year, but Dedini's team remained competitive throughout the season. In 2014 the Hornets lost Alyssa Anderson in the preseason after she and Jennifer Lum earned All-Big Sky second team honors in 2013. Sophomore Maggie Pleis was an all-Big Sky second team selection in 2014 while seven Hornets received honorable mention accolades. Dedini, a former goalkeeper at Sonoma State, helped mold local product Savannah Abercrombie into one of the top goalies the Big Sky has ever seen. Abercrombie had six shutouts as a senior in 2011, pushing her career total to 29, both a conference and school record. Abercrombie finished her stellar four-year career with a 30-28-9 record, 282 saves and a sparkling 0.92 goals against average. Dedini took home Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2010 and capped off his fourth season at the helm of the Sacramento State program with his second conference championship. Dedini and the Hornets defeated No. 1 seed and host Northern Arizona, 1-0, in the tournament championship game to clinch their second league title in four seasons. The Hornets posted a 9-10-1 record in 2010, capping off a late-charging season with wins over Portland State in the semifinals and NAU in the championship match of the Big Sky Conference Tournament. The Hornets met No. 1 ranked Stanford in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, losing 3-0. Sacramento State, which had the top offense in the conference with 34 goals scored, was the No. 3 seed in the Big Sky Tournament after going 4-3-0 in conference play during the regular season. Leah Larot was named first team all-conference and the Golden Boot winner after leading the Hornets and the conference with 10 goals. Sacramento State went 8-5-5 in 2009 (3-2-2 Big Sky) in Dedinis third season as head coach. The Hornets had the stingiest defense in the conference, allowing just 13 total scores while netting 20 goals. Abercrombie was three times named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week and seven players were given all-conference honors, including a first-team selection for defender Cori Shreve. The team finished the 2008 campaign with a 9-8-2 overall record, including a 3-3-1 mark in Big Sky Conference play. Two Hornets, Kemper and Kara Taylor, earned first team all-Big Sky honors, while four others earned honorable mention accolades. Kemper also became the second straight Hornet to win the Big Sky Golden Boot award, given to the leagues scoring leader. In his first season as head coach, Dedini guided the Hornets to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history after collecting their first-ever Big Sky Conference Tournament title. The Hornets also won the Big Sky regular season title in 2007 for the first time in school history while posting a program-record 12 wins. For his efforts, Dedini earned Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year honors - the first head man in program history to do so. Dedini oversaw nine Hornets who earned all-Big Sky honors during his first season, including McCoy, the Big Sky Offensive MVP. McCoy was also named Big Sky Tournament MVP, and earned the conferences Golden Boot award for leading the league in goals. As an assistant from 2004-06, Dedini oversaw the teams ascension into the top of the Big Sky standings. During the fall of 2006, the womens program reached the Big Sky Tournament championship game for the first time in program history. The teams 10-7-4 record was also a then program-best until the 2007 team bettered that win total. In 2006, a highly-touted recruiting class made major contributions during the year. The programs 30 goals during the season were fueled by Dedinis aggressive offensive approach and the ability of the newcomers to contribute immediately. Sacramento State outshot its opponents 172-106. Dedini first started as the goalkeepers coach for the Hornets in 2004. During that year, freshman keeper Brittany Auernig was named rookie of the year after making eight starts and 59 saves. Dedini made the move to top assistant in 2005. The Hornets improved recruiting efforts and change in philosophy paid off with a then program-best second place finish in the conference standings and an 8-8-3 overall record. The team also advanced to the Big Sky Tournament for the first time since 2001. In his own playing career, Dedini competed at American River JC before transferring to Sonoma State. Dedini had two standout seasons for the Seawolves as the starting goalkeeper and graduated with a degree in kinesiology. A second team All-American in 1993, Dedini posted a school-record 13 shutouts that season, leading Sonoma State to a 17-3-2 record. He currently ranks second in school history with 21 shutouts and his career goals-against-average of 0.75 is by far the best in school history. The Seawolves inducted Dedini into the Sonoma State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and he is widely regarded as the best keeper in school history. After graduation, Dedini played in Major League Soccer for the Colorado Rapids and the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting KC). After his MLS career, Dedini spent five years playing with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the A-League (now United Soccer League), earning honors such as team MVP, Iron Man and the century award for breaking the 100-cap mark. In all, Dedini played professional soccer for 11 seasons. While playing for the Riverhounds, Dedini served as the assistant coach for the mens varsity soccer team at Quaker Valley High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., helping the squad to the 2002 state championship. Dedini is a Northern California native, having graduated from Vacaville High School in 1988. He and his wife, Katie, have two daughters, Jordyn and Jaycie, and one son, Jake.

Tim Strader was named the Sacramento State head women's soccer coach on March 3, 2026, becoming the fifth head coach in the history of the program. "I am thrilled to welcome Tim as our head coach for Sacramento State women’s soccer,” Athletics Director Mark Orr said. “Throughout the national search process, Tim demonstrated a commitment to building a strong team culture and a clear vision to building competitive success on the field, in the classroom, and within the Sacramento community. He brings a wealth of championship experience through his many years leading student-athletes at the collegiate level. “I would like to thank the tireless efforts of the staff that partnered with me in the search process including, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Pamm Zierfuss-Hubbard, Senior Associate Athletics Director Tina Tubbs, head men’s soccer coach Michael Linenberger, and women’s soccer alumna Caitlin Prothe. The future is very bright with Tim Strader leading our program as we enter the Big West Conference in 2026." Added Strader, “First and foremost, I would like to thank President Dr. Luke Wood, Athletic Director Mark Orr, and the entire search committee for their belief in me and in my vision for the future of this women’s soccer program. Being named the head women’s soccer coach at Sacramento State is truly a dream come true. We are committed to building a program that Sacramento State, our alumni, and our local community will be proud to support. Our foundation will be built on academic and athletic excellence, equipping our student-athletes for success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community — developing Hornets for life.” Strader joins the Hornet program after spending the 2025 campaign as an assistant coach, and later, the interim head coach at Texas A&M following the retirement of 33-year sideline veteran G Guerrieri — the only head coach in the Aggies’ history. Focusing his efforts on the defensive half of the field for Texas A&M against a schedule that featured five top-25 opponents, he helped recruit an incoming class for the Aggies that ranked among the top-15 in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Prior to his stint in College Station, Strader was an assistant coach at future Big West Conference rival California Baptist for five seasons (2018-22) before being elevated to the position of associate head coach for his final two years (2023-24). He helped usher the program into its Division I era while helping the Lancers to the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth as well as being a part of the 2023 WAC Coaching Staff of the Year. During his time at CBU, the Lancers finished 70-36-22 (.633) and averaged 10 wins per season, which included an 15-match unbeaten streak in 2023. That year, California Baptist ranked No. 25 in the NCAA in goal differential (plus-26), was No. 26 in the nation in winning percentage (11-2-6, .737), and stood No. 30 in the nation with a 0.68 goals against average. He helped the Lancers lead the WAC in shutouts for three consecutive seasons, while mentoring eight all-region honorees, 29 all-conference selections, and five student-athletes that went on to professional soccer careers. Off the field, he oversaw the team’s academic progress that resulted in a combined 3.65 grade point average over six years and had 69 players named to the WAC All-Academic Team. Prior to a one-year stint as the Director of Coaching with Slammers FC in Orange County, Strader spent four seasons as the head women’s soccer coach at Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Ind., where he helped the Wildcats to a National Christian College Athletic Association national runner-up finish in 2017 and four Crossroads League Tournament berths from 2014-17. He elevated the program from four wins in his first season to a 15-4-3 overall record in his last, earning votes in the NAIA Top 25 for three straight years. Strader mentored three NCCAA All-Americans, two NAIA All-Americans, 14 all-conference players, and one conference defensive player of the year. In the classroom, his teams earned the NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team award all four years and led the NAIA for most Academic All-Americans in 2014. Strader’s coaching career began in Southern California at CSUN, helping the program claim its first Big West Conference tournament title and advance to its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2012. That season, the Matadors posted wins over the likes of Arizona State and Michigan along with draws against No. 21 Portland, No. 22 Tennessee, and USC. “What excites me most is the opportunity to lead a program that will compete for Big West championships and pursue national success,” Strader said. “I am incredibly grateful for the experience and knowledge I gained working in the SEC at Texas A&M, as well as at CBU, Indiana Wesleyan, and CSUN, all of which have prepared me for this opportunity.” He gained coaching experience as an ECNL coach with Indiana Fire and Strikers FC, leading his team to the North America Cup semifinals and a top-three finish in the Southwest Conference. Holding a Premier Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaches and a National “C” License from the United States Soccer Federation, Strader earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation and sports management from Indiana State in 2007 and completed his master’s degree in recreation, sport and tourism management from the University of Illinois in 2011. Strader and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Kennedy and McKinley. “I also want to thank my family — especially my wife — for her unwavering support and belief in this dream,” Strader said. “Our mission is to invest in the lives of student-athletes through the game of soccer, building champions not only on the field, but in life. “Finally, I would like to thank Kristen St. Clair, G Guerrieri, Mark DeMichael, and the many former colleagues and mentors who have shaped me into the coach I am today. I am excited to hit the ground running and start building relationships. Stingers Up!” WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT COACH TIM STRADER “Sacramento State has hired an incredible person and coach. Tim’s strengths lie in his leadership, recruiting, player development, tactical acumen, and student athlete development. He has proven to be an exceptional recruiter with a keen eye for talent while concurrently cultivating a competitive culture. His ability to develop culture and well-rounded student-athletes is impressive. I have no doubt the Sacramento State program will thrive under his leadership in the Big West. Tim and his family will be a great addition to the Sacramento community.” ~ California Baptist Head Coach Kristen St. Clair   "Mark Orr has made an outstanding decision in bringing Tim Strader to Sacramento State. As my assistant coach at Texas A&M, Tim consistently demonstrated exceptional ability as a strategic evaluator, motivator, recruiter, educator, and leader. I was continually impressed by Tim’s dedication to his players’ growth and success and his commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-achieving team environment was evident every day. “Tim’s passion for empowering student-athletes and his deep investment in both the university and the surrounding community will make a significant impact on the Hornets’ program. This is an exciting new chapter for Sacramento State and for Tim, and I am confident the program will thrive under his leadership. I look forward to seeing the positive contributions Tim will bring to the university and its student-athletes." ~ G Guerrieri, CEO Intercollegiate Women’s Soccer Coaches Association & former Texas A&M head women’s soccer coach   “After working with him for a year, I could already tell he would be an amazing head coach. He brought a culture to the team that was rooted in grit and resilience. He actually helped me find Sacramento State when I decided to transfer by helping me with film and contacting programs I was interested in. He made it a priority, which just goes to show how he invests in each individual player. His energy and determination is contagious and I know he has a vision for building a program that is defined by accountability, unity, and a winning standard. I couldn’t be more excited to watch him inspire and elevate this team as they are joining the Big West Conference!” ~ Sacramento State women’s soccer alumna Isabella Vinsonhaler   “Tim was a true mentor who was honest and critical when necessary. He pushed me to grow and believe in myself, while always being supportive and invested in me as a person. He cared just as much about who I was becoming off the field as he did about my performance on the field. Because of him, I didn’t just become a better soccer player, but I became a person who believes in herself and knows that she can conquer anything life puts in front of her.” ~ Jana Heinen, California Baptist women’s soccer alumna now playing professionally for VfL Bochum in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga   “Playing for Tim took my game to a higher level, and that growth prepared me to compete at the professional level. What makes him special, though, is that it was never just about soccer. He poured into me not only as a player, but as a woman and as a person. Even more than two years after I graduated, he still checks in on me and that speaks volumes about the kind of coach and mentor he truly is.” ~ Lourdes Bosch, California Baptist women’s soccer alumna now playing professionally for the NWSL’s Denver Summit FC

Chris Malenab, who has spent nine seasons as an assistant at the professional and international level, returned to his alma mater and joined the Sacramento State womens soccer program as an assistant coach in August of 2023. Since 2014, Malenab has held positions with various United Soccer League clubs, breaking into the professional ranks with the Sacramento Republic from 2014-17, helping the Indomitable Club to a 2014 USL Cup Championship, a 2016 Western Conference regular season title, and four berths in the USL playoffs. From there, he served as an assistant at Reno 1868 FC from 2018-20, and was the first assistant with Oakland Roots FC in 2021, helping both clubs to a combined eight playoff appearances including a pair of conference semifinal appearances and a 2020 Supporters Shield with Reno. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Malenab served as coach and technical director with the California Storm of the USL W-League and Womens Professional Soccer League, helping the club to a 2022 WPSL National Championship and a 2023 PacNorth Conference title as well as a USL Western Conference finals appearance in 2023. Outside of his professional experience, Malenab spent time in 2023 as a video coach for the Grenada Mens National Team for their competitions in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Preliminaries and as an assistant with Guams mens and womens national teams. Starting his coaching career with various club and high school programs in the greater Sacramento area, Malenabs collegiate experience includes stops as an assistant at Cosumnes River College (2004), Stanislaus State (2009-11), and San Joaquin Delta College (2012-14), as well as a season with the Sacramento Knights FC of the National Premier Soccer League, helping the club qualify for the U.S. Open Cup. A 2004 graduate of Sacramento State who earned his degree in sociology, Malenab holds a A-Senior license from the U.S. Soccer Federation and a United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Diploma, among others.

After spending the previous two seasons at her alma mater as an assistant coach, Janae Braun enters her first season on the sidelines as an assistant with the Sacramento State women's program in 2025. A two-year letter winner for the Aggies from 2018-19 after playing her first two collegiate seasons at Santa Clara, Braun joined the UC Davis prior to the 2023 season and assisted with all aspects of the program. Prior to that, she was a head coach at the ECNL level for Davis Legacy SC and worked with the California Storm Futsal Academy at the club level, while also serving as an assistant varsity coach at Davis High School. Aside from her coaching experience, Braun also brings an extensive international and professional playing resume to the table along with her experience as a Division I student-athlete.  In college, Braun (nee Gonzalez) finished with four goals in her first two seasons with the Broncos, earning West Coast Conference All-Freshman and league all-academic team honors before transferring to UC Davis for her final two years. She scored eight times for the Aggies and was an All-Big West Conference first team selection as a senior in 2019, helping UC Davis to the conference tournament semifinals for only the second time in school history in 2018.  On the international stage, she represented Mexico on the U-17 Women's National Team in 2013, winning the U17 World Cup qualifying tournament for the first time in the nation's history, while leading the team in goals and assists. She was twice selected the player of the match following victories against El Salvador and Jamaica. From there, she helpd Mexico reach the quarterfinals of the U17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica in 2014, leading the team in goals and assists while earning player of the match honors against China. Her goal against the host nation in that tournament was selected FIFA's Best Goal of the tournament. Following her collegiate career, Braun went on to play professionally in Mexico for Club America and Mazatlan FC in Liga MX, making her professional debut on Jan. 10, 2020. That year, she finished with a pair of goals and two assists for Club America over 15 matches, and started 15 of 16 matches for Mazatlan FC a year later. Closer to home, she competed for the California Storm in the WPSL, earning Offensive MVP honors in 2021 and 2022 and Most Valuable Player honors in the championship in the latter. She was also a member of the inaugural United States Futsal Team and competed in the 2025 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Braun graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication from UC Davis in 2019 and earned her master's degree in communication management from USC in 2022.