The Johnson State College athletic department has hired Johnson State College alum, Andrew Lafrenz, as the Head Women's Soccer Coach.  Lafrenz replaces Kristin Cannon who served as assistant athletic director and head women's soccer coach for three years before leaving to serve as an assistant coach with the University of Cincinnati women's soccer program.

Lafrenz will also be serving in a newly created full-time role in the Business Department as the Coordinator of the Sports Management Concentration. With his prior experience in teaching and curiculum development, Lafrenz will be a valuable addition to the College's Sport Management Concentration. 

Lafrenz recently completed his sixth season as head coach of the Nighthawks compiling a 39-69-5 (23-19-2 NECC) record to become the program leader in career victories. He has guided the men's soccer program to new heights with appearances in the NECC title game in two out of the last three seasons. In the 2013 season, Lafrenz was named the NECC Coach of the Year while leading the Nighthawks to their first conference title game appearance in program history.

Athletic Director Jamey Ventura is excited to welcome Lafrenz back to the Johnson soccer coaching staff.  Ventura said, "Andrew's demonstrated successes at Newbury, passion for Johnson State College and his commitment to NCAA DIII athletics made it an easy choice for us."

During his time in Brookline, Lafrenz mentored the 2011 NECC Player of the Year as well as 21 All-NECC selections including 10 First-Team members. Before becoming head coach, Lafrenz spent a year as an assistant with the men's soccer team in 2009 and helped the Nighthawks to the NECC semifinals.  In addition to his coaching duties, Lafrenz also served as Interim Director of Communications at Newbury College.

"I'm so proud of my experience as a Badger; that pride still resonates with me to this day," Lafrenz said. "I plan to do everything I can to create an environment where our women's soccer team can get that same experience. Johnson State has always been a place that I have had a strong connection with and the idea of combining my love of coaching soccer with my passion for higher education was an undeniable draw."

Prior to coming to Newbury, Lafrenz was the first assistant coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs at Johnson State College as well as the Head Coach for the women's soccer club team at the University of Vermont from 2002-2007. During his tenure at Vermont, he led the team to two consecutive Northeast Intercollegiate Club Championships and three straight National Championship Tournament appearances.