Women's Soccer Team Hires New Assistant Coach

Lady Lions Secure Soccer Assistant Coach

Allison Gudmundson Announced by Mandy Fortner

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  The start of the women’s soccer season is less than sixty days away and new Head Coach, Mandy Fortner, has announced the hiring of Allison Gudmundson as her Assistant Coach.

The spring graduate from Howard Payne University (Brownwood, Tx) played at midfield and goalkeeper as a Yellowjacket. Her degree was in Communications.

Hired in the spring, Coach Fortner, served for two years as Tim Grant’s top assistant. The latter is now leading the SAGU women’s fast-pitch softball program into their inaugural campaign, which will commence in January or February of 2012.

“We are very happy to have Alli Gudmundson this season,” Fortner said recently. “She is young, vibrant and brings a great energy to our staff and team.”

Gudmundson starred at the same high school as did Fortner, R.H. Poteet (Mesquite, Tx). She played between the pipes and at midfield for three years, mostly for head coach Bill Wade. She has been an avid soccer fan since her childhood, with over a decade of experience as a player and referee. Gudmundson has also been on several club teams.

Gudmundson is the first to join Fortner’s staff. She could add additional people to serve including volunteer and student assistants. The team will report for camp in August, with eleven returning members from last year’s 1-15-1 unit. To date, the Lady Lions have at least a dozen newcomers committed.

Challenged offensively, the Purple Pride had one of the tougher defenses in the Red River Athletic Conference. They were led by seniors; goalie Tracy Griffin (Wylie, Tx / Wylie HS) and defender Sarah Powell (Terrell, Tx / Terrell HS).

SAGU will likely build around junior midfielder Jessica Powell (Terrell, Tx / Terrell HS). Sophomore Lyndi Garrison (Hastings, Mich / Thornapple Kellogg HS) was the leading goal scorer for Team Lioness in 2010.

Southwestern plays their first match on August 16 at Western Texas College.

Contact:  Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.