Former Maryland soccer standout Valerie Lawrence Rauenzahnbegins her sixth year as a member of the American women's soccercoaching staff. With a resume filled with college playing andcoaching experience, Rauenzahn is responsible for assisting thedirection of the overall program and has been instrumental instudent-athlete recruitment, training session preparation andimplementation, as well as pre and post season workouts.
"Val is a hard worker who handles a lot of responsibilitiesbehind the scenes," commented Head Coach David Bucciero. "She has been acrucial part of our program and a good balance for me in thedecisions we have to make. I am lucky to have someone withher experience as an assistant coach."
Over the last five seasons at American, Rauenzahn has beeninstrumental in the program's non-losing Patriot League record ineach campaign. In total, the Eagles have compiled a 16-9-11conference record in those five seasons, which includes anappearance in the 2009 Patriot League Championship Match.
From 2004-06, Rauenzahn worked as a graduate assistant forDuquesne's women's soccer team while completing her Master's inLiberal Studies. She coached tactics and prepared the team'sfitness program, including implementing a year-round workoutschedule. She assisted with recruiting, player evaluation,scouting, fundraising, team travel and compliance. DuringRauenzahn's tenure, Duquesne's program had its first winning recordand qualified for its first Atlantic-10 Tournament in 11 years.
Rauenzahn was a four-year starter at midfield and defense forMaryland, which was ranked as high as No. 4 in the region duringher four-year campaign. She finished her collegiate career with 11points (one goal and nine assists). Rauenzahn had two assists inthe 2001 NCAA Tournament game versus Long Island University, whichmatched a school record in tournament play.
Rauenzahn graduated from Maryland in December 2003 with a degreein English, but continued to work with the team as an assistantcoach through 2003-04 school year. She worked closely with thestudent-athletes on practice preparation and fitness work.Additionally, she assisted with official visits, game dayoperations, summer camp coaching, community work and gameorganization.
A local product, Rauenzahn attended Good Counsel High School inWheaton, Md., where she led her team to a No. 1 ranking with 45goals and 18 assists in her senior year. In her career, she scored85 goals and had 42 assists. She was named to The Washington PostAll-Met First Team three times, including being honored as thePlayer of the Year in 1998.
Rauenzahn and her husband, Derrick, currently reside inGermantown, Md.
