Soccer Programs Add Keeper Coaches To Staff
9/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 14, 2008
SPOKANE, Wash. - A pair of goalkeeper coaches with Hawaiian ties have joined Gonzaga University`s men's and women's soccer programs.
The newest member of men's head coach Einar Thorarinsson's staff is no stranger to the Bulldogs, Vito Higgins of Kailua, Hawai'i, having completed an outstanding career in goal last season as Gonzaga advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Women's head coach Shannon Stiles has added C.J. Cooper to her staff, Cooper having spent the previous two seasons at the University of Hawaii-Hilo.
Higgins makes the move from the field to the coaching box for Gonzaga following an outstanding career in the nets for the Bulldogs. Higgins joined the staff after a foot injury cut short his professional career. The Bulldogs all-time leader in saves with 305, he had signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS in the spring of 2008 following a tryout, but decided to forego his professional career when Thorarinsson offered him a spot on his staff.
Higgins was instrumental in the Bulldogs reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2007, posting a 0.71 goals-against-average for the season to rank second on the single-season list behind fellow Hawaiian Josh Fouts and his 0.68 in 1998. Higgins also posted a 1.34 career GAA to rank third behind Fouts (0.83) and another Hawaiian, Mike McCarthy (1.16). His 14 career shutouts rank second behind Fouts. He started 70 of his 72 appearances and played more than 6,500 minutes in his career.
"Vito will be an excellent addition to our staff," Thorarinsson said. "Obviously, he knows the program and will be an asset in helping our young keepers develop."
Cooper was an assistant coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs at Hawaii-Hilo for two seasons, working primarily with the goalkeepers as well as being involved in the Hawaii Olympic Development Program (ODP).
Cooper graduated from UC Irvine where he was a 4-year letterwinner under head coach George Kunz and goalkeeper coach Chris Volk. Cooper, who was named All-Big West Conference first team in 2001, is sixth in the UC Irvine career record book for goals against average (1.42), eighth in solo shutouts (6) and 10th in saves (74). In the single-season record book, Cooper has the second-lowest goals against average (0.90 in 2001) and tied for seventh in solo shutouts (4 in 2001).
"C.J. brings a wealth of experience to Gonzaga," Stiles said. "I think his knowledge will only help our veteran keepers improve and he will be a good influence in helping our younger keepers grow at the Division I level as well."
