Flanagan Named CCAA Men's Soccer Coach of Year
CSUDH alum captures fourth award in 12 years
November 5, 2005

Turlock, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills men's and women's soccer head coach Joe Flanagan has been voted the CCAA Men's Soccer Coach of the Year by his fellow CCAA soccer coaches. Flanagan, who leads both CSUDH men's and women's soccer teams in their CCAA Championship games tomorrow, earns his fourth men's coaching award in 12 years at the helm of the men's soccer program.

"It's nice to be recognized by your peers for a job well done and for a year of good work," Flanagan says of his accolade, his first in four years. "I appreciate the honor, and hopefully we can bring home a championship or two with this Coach of the Year Award tomorrow."

The men's squad, currently at 16-3-2, ranked No. 10 nationally and 1st in the NCAA Far West Region, goes after its fifth CCAA Championship in the past seven years, taking on Sonoma State tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. Earlier this season, the Seawolves handed the Toros a 6-0 defeat in Rohnert Park, one of CSUDH's worst losses in recent history. Senior Francisco Corona (Paramount, CA/LA Harbor JC), CSUDH's all-time career leader in points scored, led the Toros to a 2-1 overtime win over Cal State Bernardino on Friday in the second men's semifinal, after SSU bested UC San Diego 3-1 in the first men's semifinal.

"It's something we've been waiting for after the shellacking they gave us up there," Flanagan says of the CCAA Championship match against the Seawolves on Sunday.

The Toro women, now 14-5-2 and ranked 3rd in the NCAA Far West Region, look to defend the CCAA Title they captured last year in a 1-0 double-overtime thriller over Chico State. In last night's 3-2 semifinal win over host Cal State Stanislaus, Katie Roche (Costa Mesa, CA/Cypress College), Rachele McDonald (Ventura, CA/Ventura College) and Michelle Sena (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS) each scored a goal while Corrie Hirokawa (Torrance, CA/North HS) netted two assists as the Toros enjoyed one of their finest performances of the year in improving to 14-5-2.

"The key was the first 20-25 minutes of the game," Flanagan reflects. "We had great energy and really gook the game to them by dictating the play."

The Toros' win sets up a rubber match against the Tritons, who bested CSUDH 2-0 on September 21 before falling to the Toros one month later. Flanagan knows the two teams bring out the best in each other, and looks forward to Sunday's 2:00 p.m. match-up.

"It's a great rivalry," he begins. "I'm hoping that the girls can come with the same energy on Sunday. I like our chances."

Flanagan also captured CCAA Men's Soccer Coach of the Year honors in 1995, 2000 and 2001, winning National Coach of the Year honors in 2000 after leading the Toros to a National Championship in a 2-1 four-overtime classic over host Barry University. Overall, Flanagan holds a career 173-64-16 (.715) record as men's head coach, and a 56-22-10 (.693) ledger as women's head coach.