Stephanie Cox enters her fifth season as head coach of the University of Puget Sound women’s soccer team in 2026. Appointed head coach in December 2022 after a stellar interim stint, Cox has continued the Loggers legacy of Northwest Conference (NWC) success.
The Loggers had an incredible undefeated conference season in 2025, finishing tied for first in the NWC and earning a bid to the NCAA tournament. After advancing to the second round, the team fought hard before falling to No. 5. ranked Pomona-Pitzer. The season was capped off with major awards, including Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year Lelia Hausia-Haugen and Rooke of the Year Kate Short. Eight players earned All-Conference recognition, with five on the first team, one on the second, and two on the third team. The defense was anchored by Gianna Maldonado in goal, who recorded 13 shutouts in nearly 1,900 minutes of play marking the second-most shutouts in all of Division III.
In 2022, she led the team to a 16-4-1 record, securing an NCAA Division III Championship at-large bid, with eight Loggers earning All-NWC honors and Ava Cholakian named NWC Offensive Player of the Year. In 2024, Cox guided the Loggers to a 9-4-7 record, finishing 2nd in the conference. Nine players received All-NWC recognition, the most recognized team in all conference voting.
Cox’s brilliance stems from her elite playing career with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), where she won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, played 89 international matches, and contributed to a third-place finish in the 2007 World Cup and a runner-up result in 2011. Her professional tenure, including stints with the Reign in Seattle (2013-2015, 2019-21), showcased her tactical mastery. At the University of Portland, Cox led the Pilots in 2005 secure an undefeated season culminating in the D1 NCAA national championship. This storied background allows Cox to tap into a deep network of USWNT teammates and former players, including Olympic and World Cup veterans, to enrich recruiting and mentorship. Her connections provide unparalleled access to elite training insights and inspire a championship mindset.
Cox’s recruiting, amplified by her USWNT network, attracts top talent to Puget Sound. Her recent classes, among the program’s strongest, blend athletic skill with academic excellence, drawn by Cox’s ability to connect prospects with professional role models. Her prior coaching at Gig Harbor High School Girls Soccer (2015-19) including the 2018 State Championship, honed her ability to develop young talent, which she now channels into building cohesive, high-achieving teams at Puget Sound.
Cox holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland and champions equity in women’s soccer. Residing in Gig Harbor with her husband and two daughters. Cox’s leadership, infused with integrity, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of greatness, leverages her USWNT legacy to cultivate a program where student-athletes thrive academically, athletically, and personally, positioning Puget Sound women’s soccer for national prominence.
