Case Western Reserve University James C. Wyant Director of Athletics TJ Shelton has announced the hiring of Alyssa Johnson as the seventh head coach in the history of the women's soccer program at the University.

"I am pleased to name Alyssa Johnson as the next head coach of the CWRU women's soccer program," said Shelton. "She has established herself as a rising star in the college coaching ranks during her time leading Bethany. We were impressed with the vision she presented for the future of the team and her views on the holistic development of student-athletes during the interview process and are excited to see her build on the program's track record of success in recent years."

Johnson recently completed her fifth season as the Head Coach of Bethany College, where she transformed the program during her time on the team from a squad with just 11 players when she took over to a team that set a program record with a .605 winning percentage in 2022. Her 2022 squad finished the season with a 10-6-3 overall record and set a program record with 55 goals during the season, while the team earned its first PAC Tournament bid in 18 years. Johnson mentored 11 of her players to all-conference honors.

In 2021, Johnson was selected to the prestigious United Soccer Coaches' 30 Under 30 Program. She also served as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Athletic Recruiting and Retention while at Bethany.

Before her time at Bethany, she was an assistant coach at Division II Seton Hill where she helped the team win 24 games in two seasons and climb to as high as 16th in the national rankings. Johnson was also an assistant at Arcadia where she aided in the team's 17-4-0 season that included the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament At-Large Bid.

"I would like to thank Director of Athletics, TJ Shelton, the search committee, and the rest of the CWRU community for entrusting me with leading the women's soccer program," said Johnson. "I look forward to building upon the success of the previous coaches and continuing to develop leaders both off and on the field. With a passion for the game and dedication to empowering athletes, I am excited to work together to help take the program to new heights of success. I'm eager to get started and immerse myself in the Spartan community!"

Johnson played collegiately at Lafayette College, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. As a player, she was a two-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week and a three-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll recipient. She went on to play for the Lehigh Valley Sonic, Lehigh Valley Tempest, and Steel City FC of the Women's Premier Soccer League.

Johnson received her Master's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in management from Seton Hill. She holds her Grassroots 4v4, 9v9, and 11v11 Coaching Licenses, in addition to a Level 6 Coaching License, and holds Special Topics Diplomas in Sports Psychology and Individual Mental Skills, Training and Developing the Complete Female Player, and Counter Attacking and Counter Pressing.

Johnson inherits a team that has made four straight NCAA Division III Tournaments, including a national runner-up finish and the first University Athletic Association Championship in program history in 2022. Last year's squad went 12-2-4 and reached the second round of the NCAA Championship.

Johnson will begin her role at CWRU in early June. The 2024 Spartans will open their season on Friday, August 30 at home against Kenyon.