Lila Gongora
LV Life Editor
Jeffrey Joyner, the new head women’s soccer coach at the University of La Verne, brings over 20 years of experience to the program with a unique coaching style.
Prior to La Verne, Joyner had been an assistant coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills, his alma mater, and at Cal State Long Beach.
He currently works as a youth club soccer coach, as well, and spent time working with the United States soccer talent identification system that searches for future national players.
“The identification stuff definitely translates to recruiting,” Joyner said. “Stylistically, what I’m trying to do here is a little bit different than what they have done before.”
The new coach is already familiar with the city of La Verne, he explained that his inlaws have long resided in the area, so this institution already felt like home to him and his family.
Joyner and some of the senior athletes give props to former head coach Lauryn Pehanich, who left the program in great shape for him to come in and pick up where she left off.
This head coach position was an opportunity for Joyner that he hadn’t expected to come at this point in his career.
“I actually got out of coaching college months before this job opened up,” Joyner said.
“I thought I wasn’t going to have my opportunity to be a head coach, then the university reached out, and it felt very serendipitous.”
Last season the women’s soccer team had a record of 2-6-4. This year they’re hoping to make this record look different.
“We had a little bit of a slower season last season, so, for us, I really hope that we can leave that in the past and use that as a learning experience and continue to go forward,” senior defender Maren Handel said.
“Our goal is to constantly keep getting better, just one percent every day, and continue to stay close to the team.”
Heading into this year after preseason, Joyner explained that he feels hopeful about this team. For him, it’s about extending great moments for a longer period of time to have a well-executed style of play.
Some of the women on the team commented on Joyner’s style of play; he teaches them to be cool, calm and collected. The ball will naturally come to them when they are in control of the game.
“He’s very possession oriented, he likes to keep the ball and build out of the back, and not to force the ball forward,” junior midfielder Lex Sahagian said.
“If we keep swinging it to each side, there will be someone open for us, and we’ll find an opportunity.”
Joyner explained that he values the connections he gets to cultivate with the women on the team that he may not have been able to get at another institution. He appreciates that the athletes care about their academics and this program, as the program also cares for them.
“It’s exciting to have a coach like Joyner who believes in us and what we’re going to be able to do this season,” senior defender Megan Sewell said.
“This is the season that’s just about finishing a game and showing SCIAC who La Verne is, and they’re not going to like it.”
Joyner explained his recruitment connections in-state, nationally and internationally as he hopes to continue to grow this program.
“I’m excited because we have a really unique and special place here that makes it easy to sell,” Joyner said. “Bringing people on campus, once they get here, I think they fall in love with it.”
The women’s soccer team competed against Cerritos College in a scrimmage on Aug. 18 and an alumni game on Aug. 22. The Leopards will take on Pacific Union this Friday for a non-league game at 9 a.m.
On Sept. 1, they will take on Azusa Pacific for their first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game, where Joyner will make his official debut as head coach.
Lila Gongora can be reached at lila.gongora@laverne.edu.
Lila Gongora is a sophomore communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is the LV Life editor for the Campus Times and previously served as a staff writer.
Natalia Rodriguez is a senior creative writing and communications major. She is a member of ULV's The Blank Page Writer's Club and has served as a staff member for the school's literary magazine, Prism Review. She is currently arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and previously served as a staff writer.
