First year Head Coach Edwin Salazar looks to revive Lady Lynx Soccer Program

[August 21, 2018] 

LINCOLN, IL — The Lincoln College Women’s Soccer program is preparing for a return to competition this fall after not fielding a team in 2017. The program is now under the direction of first-year head coach and Lincoln College grad Edwin Salazar.

Coach Salazar brings a wealth of soccer knowledge and experience to the program. A 2013 graduate of Moline High School in Moline, Illinois, Salazar received All-Area and All-Conference recognition in high school and was named Boys Soccer Team MVP his senior season. After high school he accepted a soccer scholarship to play for Coach Ben Massena at Lincoln College where he graduated with his Associate’s Degree in 2015.

Coach Massena is happy to have Salazar back on campus. “Edwin is a perfect fit for a coach to take the women’s team in the right direction,” said Massena. “He knows the game and he knows how to be successful here at LC,” he added.

After finishing his Associate’s degree at Lincoln College, Salazar continued his soccer career at McKendree University. At MU he earned his Bachelor’s in Sociology and minored in Criminal Justice. During his time at McKendree, Salazar began his coaching career by working at a variety of soccer camps and coaching at the club level in the St. Louis area.

Coach Salazar says he is excited about the opportunity to rebuild a program that is entering a new era of competition. “I am looking forward to our move to the NAIA and to building a team that can be successful moving forward,” said Salazar.

Coach Salazar is pleased with the effort being put in during the preseason by the players he inherited. Two members of the team who have experience with the program include seniors Samantha Realford and Shae Ramos. Both players are from Chicago and played with the Lady Lynx in 2015 and 2016 with Realford being named team MVP in 2015. The rest of the Lady Lynx roster will be made up of players new to the college game which means they will have some catching up to do.

“The players we have this year are definitely athletic enough to handle the training,” said Coach Salazar. “From what I’ve seen so far, they are also mentally strong and eager to learn.”

In a year when the program will be short on numbers and experienced players, Coach Salazar is being careful not to over-train or set expectations too high. “I am expecting us to play hard this year and learn a lot from our opponents,” he said. “This season will be all about gaining experience and evaluating our competition in order to build for the future.”

LC will see their first action of the season on Friday, August 31st when they play at Lincoln Christian University. The match is set for a 2:00 PM start.

[Mark Tippett
Lincoln College
Sports Information]