Margueritte Aozasa Hired as UCLA Women’s Soccer Head Coach
Former Stanford assistant coach Margueritte Aozasa has been hired as the sixth head coach in UCLA women's soccer history.
"I could not be more excited to take on the responsibility of leading this Bruin program," said Aozasa. "First, I would like to thank Martin Jarmond, Erin Adkins and everyone involved in the hiring process. I was immediately struck by the emphasis on energy, integrity and competitiveness throughout the department. This program's standard of excellence has been well-established, and I cannot wait to continue its tradition of elite performance on and off the field."
Aozasa coached Stanford to great success during her seven seasons (2015-21), helping guide the Cardinal to NCAA Championships in 2017 and 2019 and Pac-12 titles from 2015-19. The 2018 team also reached the College Cup. Stanford's record during Aozasa's time on the Farm was 125-19-8, with the Cardinal posting a +318 goal differential (412 goals for, 94 goals against).
Two Stanford athletes won the Hermann Trophy in three consecutive years from 2017-2019 - Andi Sullivan (2017) and Catarina Macario (2018, 2019). Four Cardinal players were selected as the No. 1 pick in the NWSL Draft in four of the last five years – Sullivan in 2018, Tierna Davidson in 2019, Sophia Smith in 2020 and Naomi Girma in 2022 – and a nation-leading 10 have been selected in the first round.
"Margueritte is a proven winner in NCAA Soccer, having coached Stanford to two national championships in the last five years and five Pac-12 titles in seven years," said UCLA's Alice and Nahum Lainer Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond. "Her clear ability to relate to, develop and lead young women stood out during the process, and we're looking forward to having her guide this storied program."
As a recruiter, Aozasa brought in multiple Top 5 recruiting classes, include the No. 2-ranked class of 2022. She coached six current U.S. Women's National Team players through their collegiate careers – Sullivan, Macario, Davidson, Smith, Alana Cook and Jane Campbell. Additionally, Aozasa coached three players who played on Women's Champion League teams – Macario (Olympique Lyonnais), Cook (PSG) and Kyra Carusa (HB Koge).
Aozasa and the Stanford coaching staff were honored as the 2016 NSCAA Pacific Region Staff of the Year, and Aozasa was selected to the United Soccer Coaches' 30 Under 30 Class in 2018-19.
"Margueritte instantly impressed everyone on the hiring committee," said Associate Athletic Director Erin Adkins. "Most impressive was her ability to clearly define who we are as a team now and where the team could continue to grow in the future. Her successful tenure at Stanford and her time competing at Santa Clara as a student-athlete under one of the greats in Jerry Smith have prepared her to lead the Bruins for years to come."
In addition to coaching at Stanford, Aozasa has been the ECNL Head Coach for 10 years at MVLA Soccer Club, which is ranked by Top Drawer Soccer as the No. 6-ranked youth club in the country. Her 02 and 03 MVLA ECNL squads were Champions League teams with a combined 35 players currently on NCAA Division I rosters.
Aozasa was a four-year starter under head coach Jerry Smith at Santa Clara University from 2008-11, playing at midfield and center back and serving as team captain from 2010-11. A WCC All-Academic team member, she graduated from Santa Clara in 2012 with a major in psychology and minors in public health and Spanish. In 2020, she earned a Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University, Irvine and received her U.S. Soccer "A" Coaching License.
She will become one of just five Asian American women currently serving as a head coach for a NCAA women's soccer team.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Margueritte will be an outstanding leader for UCLA Women's Soccer. She is an amazing person and has the highest level of integrity. Margueritte possesses incredible knowledge of the game and has a strong work ethic. I am very excited to see her get such a great opportunity at UCLA."
- Stanford's Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe (UCLA '94)
"I have been lucky enough to grow up watching Margueritte play and seeing her coaching career blossom. With her abundant amount of success she has brought to Stanford for so many years, I have absolutely no doubt that she will bring her world-class coaching skills, leadership and winning success to UCLA. Margueritte continues to pave the way for female soccer coaches in the United States, and I cannot wait to see all the success she brings to the UCLA soccer program."
- U.S. Women's National Team Defender and 4-Time All-American Abby Dahlkemper (UCLA '14)
"Margueritte is very bright, a wonderful communicator, a great manager of people, has a deep passion for our sport, and, like all great coaches, is constantly looking to learn and innovate. She was not only a great player for us, but she was also a great captain for us. In college sports, particularly soccer, it's essential to have great student-athlete leadership. Margueritte was that coach on the field for us and was actually already coaching while she was still playing. She will no doubt be able to mentor great leaders within the UCLA soccer program. Coaching at Stanford obviously gives her a great deal of experience in how to compete in the Pac-12 and the tendencies of the other coaches in the conference, which will be key to helping UCLA repeat as conference champs."
- Santa Clara Head Coach Jerry Smith
"Margueritte is a fantastic coach and mentor. I am thrilled about this opportunity for her and for UCLA Women's Soccer. Margueritte has been immersed in the game in a variety of ways throughout her life, and it will all translate to her success as a head coach. I'm excited to see how she further develops players, leads the team, and adds to the university's reputable soccer history. It will be hard for me to root for UCLA, but with Margueritte there, you will have a fan in me."
- U.S. Women's National Team Midfielder and 3-Time Stanford All-American Andi Sullivan