Four-Year Assistant Who Helped Launch CSUN Program is Elevated to Top Job

"Cal State Northridge is in an area with an outstanding soccer talent base and we are excited that Allison has decided to make her home here and guide the Matador women's program into the new millennium," Jankovich said.

"Allison is committed to winning and to recruiting local talent, which she has already demonstrated in her recent signings," Jankovich added. Lee succeeds Brian Wiesner, who resigned at the end of 1998.

While serving as the interim head coach, Lee signed four student-athletes to national letters of intent to play for the Matadors next season: midfielder Amy Watts from Chaminade High School, defender Brynne Blumstein from Cleveland High School, halfback Melissa Cleal from El Camino High School and forward Gentry Green from Canyon High School.

Lee came with Wiesner from Cal Poly Pomona to establish the Matador women's soccer team. She has been with the program since its inaugural season in 1995 when the Matadors finished 8-9-3.

Last season, the women's team finished 6-13 (3-4 in the Big Sky Conference), although nine of those losses were by just one goal and another three were in overtime.

"I am so excited to be given the opportunity to coach at Cal State Northridge," Lee said. "I hope to be able to fully develop the potential that exists within the Matador women's program."

Lee graduated cum laude from Cal Poly Pomona in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and currently is pursuing a master's degree in kinesiology at CSUN. Lee and her husband Jason, a former Pomona soccer player, live in Woodland Hills.

Lee (formerly Allison Thompson) coached for one season (1994) as an assistant at Cal Poly Pomona under Wiesner. She also played for Wiesner at Pomona, finishing her collegiate career as the Broncos' all-time leading scorer.

Lee spent two years (1993-94) as head coach at her high school alma mater, Corona High School. Under Lee, Corona advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation quarterfinals both seasons. Before Corona, Lee was head coach for two seasons (1991-92) at Bonita High School.

During her Pomona years as a student-athlete, the four-year starter was named to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association's first team three different seasons, and was an All-West selection twice. She also was named the team's offensive player of the year three times and served as team captain.

-Ryan Finney