LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University Director of Athletics James Downer has announced Sara Yunez as the 11th women's soccer head coach in program history.

Yunez comes to Loretto from fellow Franciscan school Saint Bonaventure University, where she spent one season as an assistant coach. During her one season with the Bonnies, she coached an Atlantic-10 first-team performer, a second-team honoree and two All-Rookie team selections. Saint Bonaventure registered its best winning percentage and first winning conference season since the 2013 campaign with a 7-8-4 overall record and 5-4-0 mark in the Atlantic-10.

"Sara is not only a tremendous fit for our department, but for the institution," said Downer. "She possesses the unique quality of intimately understanding the elements that lead to success at our level and I'm beyond excited to see her plan executed at Saint Francis. Sara is a gifted recruiter, a skilled tactician and an accomplished former student-athlete, attributes that will undoubtedly benefit our student-athletes and our women's soccer program."   

Prior to her time at Saint Bonaventure, Yunez spent the 2020-21 season at Eastern Kentucky University. She coached the first conference Freshman of the Year in program history, who was also named to the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Second Team and one of two players named to the All-Freshman Team. The Colonials finished 4-5-1 overall and in the ASUN Conference in the abbreviated spring season due to COVID-19. The four wins matched the win total from 2019 despite playing eight fewer matches. In addition, the four wins in the circuit matched the total from 2018 when Eastern Kentucky was a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.

"I'd first like to thank those within the hiring committee for their belief in my ability to lead this program," said Yunez. "Saint Francis has a rich women's soccer history, and to serve as the head coach is an extreme honor which combines my passions for the game, leadership and community building. Throughout the process it was clear that there was a shared vision of success for this program and for its members both on and off the field and I am excited to build on the progress this team has made towards accomplishing that aim. I am also thankful for my support system off the field as you have enabled me to make this dream a reality. I look forward to joining the extended family at Saint Francis and am eager to take on my new role as a Red Flash!"

After getting her coaching career started at NCAA Division III Covenant College in north Georgia in the spring of 2019, Yunez joined her former teammate and assistant coach Nikki Elsaesser as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Houghton College in western New York. The Highlanders finished the 2019 season 8-7-2 and 3-3-1 in the Empire 8 Conference for its first winning season in three years. Yunez coached one All-Empire 8 first-team selection and three honorable mentions.

Yunez put together an impressive playing career at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pa., one of the top Division-III women's soccer programs in the country.
 
As a senior in 2018, she was voted first team All-America after logging more than 1,400 minutes, and making 25 saves while surrendering only five goals. A local product to Messiah College from nearby Dillsburg, Pa., she held a 17-1-2 record while completing seven shutouts and posting a 0.833 save percentage. Yunez was the first All-America goalkeeper in Messiah history.

For her career, Yunez played in 60 games, stopping 90 shots while allowing only 14 goals. She recorded 26 shutouts and recorded a 36-4-4 record in the net. She was a two-time first team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection.

A medical redshirt allowed Yunez to spend five years with the Messiah women's soccer program. During that time, her teams finished with an impressive 106-6-12 record, which included finishes in the national Sweet 16 (2018), Elite Eight (2014 & 2017), Final Four (2015) and a national runner-up finish in 2016.

Yunez graduated from Messiah in 2018 with a Bachelor's Degree in nursing and is currently working towards her Master's Degree of Business Administration from Messiah.

What They Are Saying About Yunez
Steve Bdarski – St. Bonaventure Women's Soccer Head Coach
"This is an incredible day and opportunity for Sara and the Saint Francis women's soccer Program.  Sara's coaching and leadership is based on people and relationships, and she will do everything in her power to develop student-athletes throughout their career. She is invested in the process and journey, and she will constantly strive to support her players on and off the field. The Saint Francis community is getting a servant leader that has the passion and work ethic to help make great changes and honor the alumni. 

Matthew Cosinuke - Eastern Kentucky University Women's Soccer Head Coach
"Sara is one of the most gifted coaches I have met. I was lucky enough to have worked with her and seen her ability to shape and build a program. She is a culture-driven coach and her ability to connect, motivate and communicate with athletes and families is elite. Saint Francis has made an exceptional hire and I look forward to watching her success. The future is bright!"

Scott Frey – Messiah College Women's Soccer Head Coach
"Sara will bring a passion for the game and a strong desire to develop a culture that values each and every one of her players.  Saint Francis has found a young woman who will grow and develop her players not only as soccer players but as great individuals as well.  Sara's work ethic and commitment to the process will help guide the Saint Francis University program back to their competitive presence in the Northeast Conference."

Nikki Elsaesser – Houghton College Women's Soccer Head Coach
"Over the years I had the privilege of being Sara's teammate, coaching her and having her on my staff as an assistant coach. In all of these settings the following aspects of Sara always ring true. First of all, Sara is a competitor who thrives under pressure. She loves figuring out solutions to make her team more competitive. She will work tirelessly to relentlessly improve her own personal knowledge of the game. In turn, the teams she has coached have all improved competitively during her time with them. Secondly, she is relationally invested. She deeply loves those she works with and the players she coaches. This helps her to build a culture of trust and mutual respect. The Saint Francis women's soccer players are fortunate to have such a knowledgeable and caring coach at the helm."