CRUZ JOINS ROANE STATE WOMEN'S SOCCER STAFF AS ASSISTANT COACH
Audrian Cruz, a four-year starter and program record-holder at Louisiana State University of Alexandria, has joined the Roane State women's soccer staff as an assistant coach. The hire comes as the Lady Raiders prepare for their third season of competition.
"Audi will be a great asset to our program as she steps in this season," said head coach Donnie Green. "She's fresh out of the game after playing at LSU-Alexandria for the past 4 years where she set a lot of team records and had some great accomplishments."
Cruz's path to college soccer was anything but conventional. After high school she was preparing to enlist in the Army when an unexpected turn led her to an all-star game in Alexandria, Louisiana, where the LSUA coaching staff saw her play and invited her to campus.
"I was apprehensive about joining the Army," Cruz said. "When my coach at LSUA asked if I wanted to come check out the school, I was like, yes, please."
Cruz arrived at LSUA as a walk-on. A strong freshman debut earned her a scholarship for the remainder of her career, and she went on to play every game across four seasons. Cruz now holds the LSUA record for most appearances in program history for both women's soccer team.
Leadership arrived early in her soccer career. As a sophomore Cruz was named co-captain after the head captain tore her ACL, but she stepped up and guided a roster that included older transfers and younger teammates still finding their place.
"It really made me into a better player, made me more responsible, and it made me just look out for the girls, especially the ones coming in who are younger," Cruz said.
Cruz graduated from LSUA with a degree in communications and sports media. During her senior year she completed an internship with the LSUA athletic department, supporting the athletic program.
Her coaching experience began close to home in Louisiana. Cruz worked camps in her hometown, helped with local rec Leagues, refereed matches, and later served as a high school assistant coach. Those roles, combined with her playing background, made the transition to the college sideline a natural next step.
"I'm looking forward to what she's going to bring to our program with her high level of playing experience and her knowledge of the game," said Green.
As the Lady Raiders begin their third season, Cruz focuses on the relationships she can build with a roster experiencing the student-athlete life that she just successfully completed herself.
"I'm most excited for this season about seeing the impact that I can make, how I can connect and grow relationships with the team," Cruz said. " I'll be able to understand how it feels to be in their shoes. Hopefully they're able to be inspired and want to take their careers to the next level at a four-year university. That would make me really happy."
The Lady Raiders open their season on Saturday, August 8th at the University of Pikeville (KY).