Aug. 23, 2018
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State women's soccer head coach Lauren Hanson has been selected to the University of Portland Hall of Fame class of 2018.
Hanson will be one of six individuals inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at an induction banquet and ceremony on Saturday, September 29 at the Beauchamp Recreation Center on the University of Portland campus.
Hanson, a two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year for the Spartans, was a three-time NSCAA All-American defender for the Portland Pilots from 1999-2002, garnering first team honors as a senior and back-to-back second team honors in 2000 and 2001. During her time in Portland, Hanson helped lead the Pilots to three NCAA College Cup appearances (2000-2002) and was team captain of the 2002 national championship squad, the first NCAA title in any sport in school history.
"It was a little bit shocking, honestly," Hanson said of being selected. "I felt very flattered just because of the history at the University of Portland and the players that have come through there, the coaches that have come through there, it's an amazing tradition. To be grouped in with those types of players and coaches is phenomenal and is humbling for sure."
Additionally, Hanson was a finalist for the 2002 MAC/Hermann Trophy for National Player of the Year, was a two-time West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2002), garnered First Team NSCAA All-West Region and All-WCC First Team honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and was twice named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team (2000, 2002).
Hanson was drafted ninth overall out of Portland in the WUSA Professional League, playing the 2003 season with the New York Power. She returned to the Pilots to five seasons as an assistant coach, where she earned NSCAA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2006 and was on staff for the 2005 NCAA National Championship team.
Hanson will soon have a homecoming of sorts as she leads the Spartans to Portland for their upcoming game vs. the Pilots on Friday, August 24. The Pilots are led by Michelle French, a fellow Portland women's soccer legend and close friend of Hanson's.
"A lot of our friends, my friends and (Michelle's) friends and all of the alums have been reaching out saying, 'we're coming to the game.' My husband and our kids are coming to the game just to make it more of a reunion and a fun environment to be back on Merlo Field," Hanson said.
SJSU and Portland are set for 8:00 p.m. first kick from Merlo Field this Friday. Live stats and live streaming will be available.