Jan. 30, 2003

University of Kentucky head women’s soccer coach Warren Lipka has accepted an offer from United States Soccer to coach goalkeepers on the under-19 women’s national team that will compete in Guadalajara, Mexico, U.S. Coach Tracey Leone announced today. The club will play the Mexican national U-19 team in two matches scheduled for Feb. 27 and March 1.

“It is a true honor to be selected by Coach (Tracey) Leone and I’m very excited about representing the United States in international competition,” Lipka said. “It is an outstanding opportunity to be a part of the national program and work with the top talent in the country.”

The team will train in Guadalajara from Feb. 24 to March 2, with match sites to be determined by the Mexican national club at a later date. Leone, most recently directing the U.S. to a U-19 world championship in Canada last September, stated appreciation of Lipka’s acceptance of her offer to accompany Team USA.

“I’m extremely excited to work with Warren (Lipka) in our upcoming event to Mexico,” Leone said. “He brings a wealth of experience with him, which I think our U-19 national team and staff can benefit from. His tremendous success in the college game at the University of Kentucky as well as his high-level playing experience as a goalkeeper speak volumes as to the level of coach and human being he is.”

Lipka has compiled a 133-86-10 (.603) record in his 12th season since being named UK’s first head women’s soccer coach in 1992. He has led UK to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002 and has twice been named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year (1995, 1999). A veteran goalkeeper, Lipka was the recipient of the 1985 adidas Collegiate Goalkeeper of the Year award as a senior at South Carolina.

For more information on U.S. Soccer, contact Heather Walles at (312) 528-1227 (hwalles@ussoccer.org) or visit USsoccer.com.

– UK –