Fort Lewis College is bringing back one of its top women’s soccer players to help lead the team. Head women’s coach Damian Clarke recently announced Hall of Fame player Hayley Hollenga is joining his staff as an assistant coach and that Hope Fredrick has been promoted to associate head coach.
“Hope and I are really excited about adding Hayley to the coaching staff,” Clarke said. “She brings a lot of success as both a player and coach. She will immediately complement our skill sets as coaches while bringing a strong attacking mind and the ability to work with goalkeepers.”
Hollenga, a member of FLC’s 2023 Hall of Fame class, returns to her alma mater after three seasons as an assistant coach at Rose-Hulman (NCAA DIII) in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was also a club and youth soccer coach in Texas for four years and an assistant coach at Midwestern State University where she worked with goalkeepers.
“I am beyond excited for this opportunity and to coach alongside Damo and Hope again,” Hollenga said. “I cannot express my gratitude enough to all those who help support and make this happen. I appreciate the department’s support of women’s soccer and creating this position for me to join the staff. I’d also like to thank Kate Kelly and Rio Rapids-Durango for partnering with the college to create Mini-Kickers Soccer School, where we will help develop soccer skills for the younger kids in our community. I am ready for the grind and ready to give back to this program.”
Hollenga is the most decorated women’s soccer player in Skyhawks history. She helped her teams finish 66-15-12 and win two conference championships, make four NCAA Tournament appearances and earn a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2010. She was a three-year team captain and set school records for career goals (43), assists (30), points (116), and game-winning goals (15).
She was chosen as the best women’s soccer player in school history and is part of the school’s 100-person All Sports All-Century Team. Hollenga was also featured in Sports Illustrated's “Faces in the Crowd” after scoring once four game-winning goals during a five-game span. Hollenga was a second-team All-American in 2010 and a four-time all-region honoree.
In addition to her prowess on the pitch, Hollenga was a three-year member of the women’s basketball team (2007-10) where she played in 36 games. She was part of the Skyhawks’ teams that went on to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 (2009) and NCAA Division II National Runner-Up nods (2010).
The elevation of Frederick to associate head coach comes after five seasons as the team’s top assistant coach. She was also an assistant coach with the program in 2013 before heading to Midwestern State University with coach Clarke for three seasons.
“I want to thank coach Clarke for trusting and believing in me,” Fredrick said. “Fort Lewis College soccer has become home, and I am thrilled to be considered family. I am fortunate to be able to do what I love and am looking forward to the future.”
A native of Bayfield, Fredrick spent three seasons coaching at Durango High School and the Durango Young Soccer Association from 2013-15. Before joining the coaching ranks, she played four years of professional soccer. She was a member of the Colorado Force/Lady Rapids as well as the South American Chile Colo-Colo, Qbik (Sweden), and the Sacramento Storm.
Fredrick was a four-year letter winner at Notre Dame de Namur (NCAA DII) in San Francisco where she was a three-time first-team all-conference winner. As a senior, she was named Pacific West Conference Player of the Year and was a first-team all-league performer in the Argonauts inaugural season as a PacWest member. Before sitting out the 2004 campaign with an injury, she was named team MVP as a sophomore in 2003 and was a second-team all-league performer as a freshman in 2002.
“It’s obvious that Hope and I have worked together very closely over the last nine years,” Clarke said. “She adds so much value to the program, and I will always be indebted to her for her loyalty and coaching ability. I’m excited to see what we can do together as a staff in a few short months.”
The Skyhawks kick off the 2023 season on Sept. 2 with a neutral site match against Eastern New Mexico University in Alamosa. The team will play its first home match on Sept. 14 against West Texas A&M.
