EUGENE, Ore. – Kat Benton-LaEzza, who brings experience as both a head coach and an assistant at the collegiate level, has been named an assistant coach for the Oregon soccer program as new head coach Tracy Joyner continues to round out her staff.
“Kat brings a fantastic pedigree to the program,” said Joyner. “Her success as both a player and coach will add knowledge and passion to our staff. She has a great energy. She’s competitive, gritty, positive, and hard-working. I’m excited for our program and welcome her to the Duck family.”
Benton-LaEzza most recently was an assistant coach at Chico State, where she helped the Wildcats to a 36-21-17 record over the last four seasons. Chico State was 10-3-5 in her first season, 2021, and qualified for the conference tournament. The Wildcats also qualified for the CCAA Championships in 2022 with a 9-5-5 mark and 2021 with an 11-7-1 record.
“The University of Oregon is an elite institution with incredible resources providing the highest quality experience for the student-athletes,” said Benton-LaEzza. “Getting the call to work with Tracy to elevate Oregon women’s soccer in the Big Ten was an opportunity I could not pass up.”
Prior to joining Chico State, Benton-LaEzza served as an assistant coach at Kansas State for two seasons (2019-20).
Her coaching career began in 2009 at her alma mater, Kansas Wesleyan, where she logged five seasons as an assistant, overseeing the program’s recruiting efforts while also serving as the head coach for the junior varsity team
After working in the Olympic Development Program for a number of years, Benton-LaWzza returned to KWU in 2017 as head coach and guided the Coyotes to a 27-11-4 record over two seasons.
In 2018, her final year at KWU before moving to Kansas State, Benton-LaEzza led the Coyotes to a 17-3-2 overall mark and an 11-0-1 record in conference play. WKU captured both the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) regular-season and tournament titles and Benton-LaEzza was named KCAC Coach of the Year.
Prior to returning to KWU, Benton-LaEzza spent several years as a head coach in the Kansas Olympic Development Program, leading the Sporting Kaw Valley Premier team while also serving as the organization’s Technical Director. Benton-LaEzza was recognized as the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association Girls Competitive Coach of the Year in 2016.
She was also an active member of the Salina (Kan.) Soccer Club, serving as a coach in addition to handling the program’s Director of Academies and Assistant Director of Coaching duties.
As a player, Benton-LaEzza was a two-time letterwinner and two-year team captain at Kansas Wesleyan, leading the Coyotes to back-to-back KCAC regular season and tournament crowns, plus a pair of NAIA National Tournament appearances. Her 2007 squad was the first in KCAC history to win the NAIA Region IV title.
Benton-LaEzza collected a number of honors playing at Kansas Wesleyan. She was a two-time All-KCAC First Team and NSCAA All-Region selection, and in 2007 was named KCAC Newcomer of the Year while earning NAIA All-America honorable mention status.
Benton-LaEzza received her associate of liberal arts degree in 2007 from Santiago Canyon College in Orange, Calif., and a bachelor of arts degree from Kansas Wesleyan in 2009. She earned a Master’s degree in business administration and sports management from Kansas Wesleyan in 2011.
“I’m looking forward to building a positive team culture, fostering community, and crafting with meticulous attention to the business of teaching a winning brand of soccer with passion, energy, and joy,” said Benton-LaEzza.
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