REDLANDS, Calif. - The University of Redlands has announced that Suzette Soboti will step down from her role as head women's lacrosse coach, effective at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season. She will continue to serve as the head women's soccer coach.

"It has been an honor and privilege to have had so many fulfilling years leading the women's lacrosse program from its rise to varsity status in 1999.  I thank Carl Clapp (former AD in 1998) for having the belief in me to start the program. There have been so many amazing memories and triumphs along the way.  The program was one of two varsity [SCIAC] programs in 1999, playing a virtually all-club schedule, and now we have seven varsity teams – many of which are powerhouses on the national scene with so many regionally recruited players," Soboti shared. 

For the past 27 years, Soboti has been a pivotal figure in the development of both women's soccer and lacrosse at Redlands.  Since starting the women's lacrosse program, she has guided the Bulldogs to three Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships and four NCAA tournament appearances, including a third-round showing in 2014 and a spot in the second round in 2012.  During her tenure, Soboti has accumulated an overall record of 229-188 and a conference mark of 80-78 en route to coaching 68 All-SCIAC performers, three All-Americans (Stephanie Garrett (2x), and Jacquie Craycraft), 34 All-West Region honorees, and four SCIAC Athletes of the Year.  In 2016, she was inducted into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame Los Angeles Chapter after being selected as the West Region Coach of the Year in 2013. 

Soboti's leadership has gone well beyond the University of Redlands, as she served on the Los Angeles Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame Committee (2007-2012), contributed to the Southern California Girls' Lacrosse Association Steering Committee (2006-2008), and was vice chair of the Greater Los Angeles and Orange County Lacrosse Umpire Board (2011-2013).  She also chaired the SCIAC lacrosse coaches' committee more than once, was a member of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Regional Ranking Committee (2001-2004 and 2007-2011), and participated in the IWLCA Regional All-America Selection Committee as a member (2001-2004 & 2011-2021) and as chair (2003).  Finally, her passion for lacrosse contributed to the Southwest Pacific Regional Lacrosse Team Selection Committee as chair and led her to become the High School Umpire Assignor for all CIF schools and HS Clubs in Orange County, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Santa Barbara (2007-2010 & 2013-2016). 

Furthermore, Soboti believes in the value of international travel and provided incredible opportunities for her lacrosse teams to compete in Australia, Germany, Wales, England, Ireland, Czech Republic, and Northern Ireland.  
"To have been a part of this growth is something I hold dear to my heart.  It is the women who have passed through the University of Redlands women's lacrosse program and the current team who have made this experience a treasured one...they are and always will be my family.  It is bittersweet to step away, but I am confident this is the right time, and I am so excited for the future of Bulldog Women's Lacrosse.  With love and respect, a Bulldog for Life....the best is yet to come, Bulldogs!"        

Since 1998, Soboti also has been instrumental in the growth of the women's soccer program, accumulating a 251-111-37 overall record and a 181-111-24 SCIAC mark, resulting in 114 All-SCIAC performers and eight NSCAA All-Americans.  She also coached a 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist in Becky Willis, who also became a Bulldog Hall of Famer.

During her tenure thus far, Soboti has won five SCIAC Championships, secured a pair of SCIAC tournament titles, and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships five times, with a program-best, third-round showing in 2010.  Furthermore, Soboti was named the 2001 All-West Region Coach of the Year and the 2015 SCIAC Coach of the Year. 

Continuing with her commitment to giving back, Soboti took on the role of chair for the SCIAC women's soccer coaches' committee, served as a member (2003-2008) and chair (2005-2008) of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Regional Ranking Committee, and remains as chair of the Regional All-America Selection Committee (2005-present).  She contributed to the NCAA Women's Soccer Regional Ranking Committee as chair (2007-2009 & 2012-2015) and was a United States Soccer Federation State Staff Instructor, helping other coaches expand their ability to teach the game (2009-2011). 

Like her lacrosse program, her soccer teams have enjoyed amazing opportunities to experience the world's cultures by competing in Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Europe, and England.

Beyond coaching, Soboti will remain as a professor in the Kinesiology Department.  She previously stepped up as the Faculty Senate President and Academic Assembly Chair (2020-2022).   

The University of Redlands thanks Coach Soboti for her dedication and contributions to both programs and looks forward to her continued leadership with the Bulldog women's soccer program.