YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College Director of Athletics Randy Dunn announced that Christiane Lessa will be the Mountain Lions women's soccer coach.
 
Lessa comes to the Enchanted Valley after being the head coach of the Iowa Central Community College women's soccer program for the past four seasons (2012-15). Lessa led the Tritons to a 19-1-0 record in 2015 as Iowa Central captured the program's first National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Women's Soccer National Championship as they defeated Eastern Florida State College 1-0 in the title match. Lessa was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2015.
 
"I am extremely excited that Coach Lessa has accepted our offer and will serve as the head coach of our women's soccer program," said Dunn.  "When I talked with Coach Lessa during our phone interview, I was very, very interested and excited.  When she came to campus for her interview, I was sold! Coach Lessa has the knowledge, passion and energy for the game that will be necessary for her to be a very successful coach in the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II."
 
Lessa led Iowa Central to a 54-14-3 ledger (.793 winning percentage) during her time in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Tritons finished ranked in the top 20 in the NJCAA in each of the past three seasons. Iowa Central was ranked 15th during the 2013 campaign while the Tritons were ranked 20th in 2014 before finishing third this season. The Tritons advanced to the NJCAA Region 11 finals in both 2013 and 2014 before winning the national championship this year.
 
Student-athletes from Iowa Central have gone on to play at four-year institutions such as Florida Atlantic University (NCAA Division I), Barry University (NCAA Division II), the University of Louisville (NCAA Division I) and the University of Kentucky (NCAA Division I).
 
"I would like to thank the administration, staff, and especially Randy Dunn for this opportunity to work at a college with such amazing success in every aspect," said Lessa. "Young Harris College has all the resources that a coach would need in order to make it one of the best in the nation. It is an honor to be in charge of the women's soccer program and I am extremely anxious to get started. Young Harris College is a perfect fit for anyone that strives to accomplish amazing things, and I look forward to helping our student- athletes both on and off the field to achieve excellence."
 
Lessa holds her USSF National "C" License and FIFA/CONCACAF beach soccer license. While at Iowa Central she was involved with the Iowa Olympic Development Program, helping with the Iowa Girls under-13 State team. She also worked as a Student Development Assistant at Iowa Central, guiding students as an academic advisor in the admissions department.
 
Prior to Iowa Central, the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native spent three seasons (2009-2011) at Florida Memorial University, a NAIA program in Miami Gardens, Florida, where she started the program from scratch. Lessa also started the women's soccer high school program at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She saw success instantly as they went 16-3-2 in her first season.
 
Lessa got into coaching after a stellar playing career that took her all over the globe. Her college career began at Union (Ky.) College in 2002 where she helped the Bulldogs earn their first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament after winning the Region XII Championship. That team was inducted into the College's Hall of Fame in 2009 as a Team of Distinction. She finished her career with three seasons at St. Thomas (Fla.) University in Miami where she graduated with a degree in religious studies and a minor in sports business.
 
Lessa also enjoyed a soccer career that began in her native Brazil with Fluminense and Vasco da Gama, as well as Team Chicago Brazil, one of the top clubs in Brazil. After leaving Brazil she spent two years playing and coaching professionally in Iceland for Haukar and Fylkir Football Club in the summer of 2005 and 2006. She then played for the Miami Kickers of the Women's Premier Football League in Miami for four seasons.
 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CHRISTIANE LESSA
 
"I am very excited for Christiane to be given this opportunity with Young Harris.  She is an exceptional coach who will be a great role model and mentor to her student-athletes.  Outside of her coaching ability she is a wonderful person and will be a respected ambassador within the community.  Her energy and excitement for the game will prove infectious." | NEIL McGUIRE, Head Women's Soccer Coach, University of California, Berkeley
 
"Christiane Lessa is one of the most passionate coaches in college, in any sport. Her ability to recruit and to get the players to perform at the highest level was proven by winning the junior college national championship. I know she will win many more championships in her career. Congrats to coach Lessa for all her accomplishments and to Young Harris for a tremendous hire. | AMANDA CROMWELL, Head Women's Soccer Coach, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
 
"Christiane Lessa is a tremendous young coach who will bring enthusiasm, knowledge and integrity to the position. She has earned this opportunity and I am certain that YHC has made a terrific decision for the soccer program!" | MIKE TUCKER, Head Women's Soccer Coach, University of Dayton
 
"Young Harris Athletics found a solid hire for the women's soccer program in Christiane Lessa! Coach Lessa will provide a fun and unified culture that has proved to earn incredible results, both in the classroom and on the field. Her knowledge and passion for the sport, in addition to her genuine care for those around her, will enable her to quickly acclimate to the league and compete at an accelerated level. Congrats Christiane and best wishes!" | BRAD SILVEY, Assistant Women's Soccer Coach, Illinois State University
 
"I am truly excited for Christiane Lessa to embark on her next challenge as the head women's coach for Young Harris. She is a brilliant coach and mentor. Christiane's passion and love of soccer and her ability to inspire and lead young student athletes will be the foundation of greatness as she forges forward with this brand new opportunity. Christiane is an amazing human being with tremendous talent for finding greatness in everything she sees! Her understanding of the game and her respect for other coaches and the soccer world will elevate her ability to find success within her new role as the head coach of the Young Harris College women's soccer program." | DARREN VON GROL, Manager, WPSL Utah Arrows FC