Sarah Melhorn is in her second year as an assistant coach withthe Youngstown State women’s soccer program.
During her first season in 2014, Melhorn made an immedite impactas the Penguins recorded seven wins, the second-most in schoolhistory, and went unbeaten at home (6-0-2) for the first time inschool history. The Penguins defeated 2014 Horizon League preseasonfavorite Milwaukee, 3-2, in double overtime and tied Big Ten memberPurdue, 1-1, at Farmers National Bank Field.
Melhorn, who works with the Penguins' goalkeepers and defenders,helped the Penguins to four shutouts, which are tied for the secondmost in a single-season.
Goalkeeper Jackie Podolsky, who set the all-times wins recordwith 14 and the career goals-against average with 1.30, posted fivewins with 62 saves and a .785 save percentage. Goalkeeper KatieMontgomery also collected two wins with 27 saves and has a .844save percentage.
Marissa Martin, a defender, was named to the Horizon LeagueAll-Freshman Team and became the became the fifth YSU player in thelast five years to earn all-newcomer/all-freshman honors.
Macey Riese led the defenders with two goals and was named theHorizon League Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 2, 2014.
Prior to joining the YSU staff, Melhorn spent last year as anevent management assistant at the University of Minnesota , whereshe planned and coordinated events at women’s ice hockey,men’s gymnastics, men’s basketball and football. Shealso assisted in the administration of Big Ten Championships andserved as an assistant coordinator for NCAA Championships hosted byMinnesota.
Melhorn spent two seasons as the director of soccer operationsat Valparaiso from 2011-13. She planned and coordinated allgame-day activities, including promotions for the women’ssoccer program. Her administrative duties included travel,equipment, fundraising and recruiting. Melhorn was also accountablefor the program’s social media outlets.
She also spent time as an assistant event manager at Valparaisofrom 2009 to 2013 as an undergraduate and graduate student. Melhornassisted in the planning and executing of game-events for football,men’s and women’s soccer, softball, baseball,volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and HorizonLeague Championships host by Valparaiso.
A four-year letterwinner at Valparaiso from 2007-2010, Melhornwas named team captain as a senior. She earned a bachelor’sdegree in business administration and physical education fromValparaiso in 2011, and a master’s degree in sportsadministration from Valparaiso in 2013.
