There are about 350 Division I women’s soccer programs in the United States as compared to more than 210 men’s programs. In a strange reversal, there are only 27,000 female soccer recruits as compared to 44,000 male.
That means the competition to land top women’s talent is fierce. Retaining that talent in the era of name, image, and likeness (NIL) makes it even more challenging.
A coach’s job has become that much harder — spotting talent, aligning fit, selling an institution, creating an ecosystem of support, and developing and retaining players. For Lauren Calabrese ’07, head women’s soccer coach, the work is akin to serving as a CEO of a small startup.
Calabrese’s work has been made easier though, thanks to an alumnae partner, Michi Matter Jigarjian ’02, whose knowledge, leadership, mentorship, and support have proven transformative. She has created the first female-funded coaching endowment for a women’s sport in Lehigh’s history.
The gift serves as a starting point toward a goal of fully funding the head coach position. The endowment comes at a critical moment, and once it is fully funded, the head coach's position can be permanently named.
Lehigh Soccer
Kicking off its inaugural season in 1992-93, women’s soccer has more than three decades of history where the team members put in the work and continued to build on a foundation laid by some pioneering women. Today, the collective power and wisdom of those players can serve as a catalyst for transformative growth and an opportunity to venture into new frontiers.
“Their grit is a key value in our program’s DNA,” says Calabrese. “Our mentality is to raise the floor.”
According to the coach, as the team commits to doing the simple things well and maintains that grit, respect, and joy that come from playing, its profile will rise.
A raised profile and raised floor mean achieving more and shortening any falls.
As fans would know, Lehigh has never made the league playoffs more than three years in a row. That’s a pattern Calabrese seeks to break.
“We want sustained competitive success,” she says. “That requires resourcing and infrastructure — exactly the kind of stuff that Michi’s gift will make possible.”
Time on Pitch
Soccer helped define Matter Jigarjian as a person. The ethos, discipline, expectations, intensity, team building, and leadership have shaped her life on the field, in the front office, and around the boardroom.
As a four-year starter, Matter Jigarjian was an impact player. Before each match, Jen Karpovich ’02 would ask if Matter Jigarjian had her back. Of course, the response was always the same: “I’ve got your back.”
Seems an understatement. Matter Jigarjian still sits third in the Lehigh record book for career assists.
When she was playing at Lehigh, women’s soccer reached a new level of popularity across the country, captured in the iconic celebration when U.S. Women’s National Team player Brandi Chastain tore off her jersey after scoring the winning penalty shot against China in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final.
Soccer fever hit hard. It demanded a new level of fierce play. The team with Matter Jigarjian delivered.
Tide Now
Lehigh recruits like so many teams in the hotbeds of American women’s soccer. But finding players to fit the Lehigh model takes time and energy.
“We want women who are driven and high achieving. When under pressure and stress, they have to be women who are able to strive and grow,” says Calabrese. “Those women have to leverage the resources at Lehigh — the relationships, leadership development programs, performance and strength coaches, and sports medicine professionals.”
That ecosystem supports the coach, but players have to “take ownership.” “They have to develop agency for themselves, build resilience, and take pride in the grind,” says Calabrese.
Building community is important. It was one of the goals when the men’s and women’s teams traveled to Germany over spring break. Together, the teams played in exhibition matches against German clubs and took in cultural sites and learned about German culture. Creating chemistry and forming deeper bonds off the pitch are what can make a team gel on the turf.
It helps to have mentors like Matter Jigarjian in their corners. Alumnae play an important role in player support and development. Calabrese has seen a broader community being built by former players.
“Michi is a true pioneer,” says Calabrese. “The way she leads herself and moves through space models humility and leadership, drive and excellence. She has high standards that are balanced by collaboration and empathy. She inspires and empowers others.”
Mission matters to Matter Jigarjian. She wants to ensure her gift aligns with the institution’s goals. In this case, alignment was perfectly synchronized.
The endowment will increase access and support, develop female athletes, and support female coaches.
“Lauren is a strategic partner,” says Matter Jigarjian. “I want to assist her, the team, and Lehigh to elevate the level of play and recruitment and bring some financial stability so the program can focus on growing and winning. Without resources, it is very hard to compete in this market.”
Not surprisingly, collaboration matters to Matter Jigarjian.
“I am honored to make this gift. It helps set the tone for others. I want to be part of a tide, so the competitor in me hopes that other players and fans will join in this mission,” she says.
“Michi wants to see the team culture thrive,” says Calabrese. “Our collective intelligence can and will support the entire ecosystem of women’s soccer and help raise the floor. It is a spark that we know can catch fire.”
