THE CHRIS PFAU FILE

Education
Bachelor of Science, Old Dominion 1989

Record as a Division-I Head Coach
Year School      Record  (Conf./Finish) Notables
2005 Evansville  10-8-1  (1-5-0/6th)    MVC semi-finalist
2006 Evansville  10-9-0  (3-3-0/3rd     MVC finalist
2007 Evansville  10-5-3  (3-1-2/2nd)    MVC semis/regional ranking
2008 Akron        7-9-2  (2-7-2/11th)   Opened season 5-0
2009 Akron        9-7-2  (7-3-1/2nd)    MAC East Champions
2010 Akron       7-11-1  (5-5-1/7th)    MAC East Runner-Up
Career Total    53-49-9  (14-15-4 MAC, 7-9-2 MVC)

Additional Coaching Experience
• 1995-99 – Head Coach – Cincinnati United Soccer Club
• 1997-99 – Assistant Coach – Cincinnati Riverhawks (A-League)
• 1999-02 – Head Coach (men) – Mount Mary College (Yankton, S.D.)
• 2002-03 – Head Coach (women) – St. Mary’s College (Notre Dame, Ind.)
            Director of Coaching – Jr. Irish Soccer Club (South Bend, Ind.)
• 2003-05 – Assistant Coach – Princeton (Princeton, N.J.)

Professional Playing Experience
• 1989-99 – Competed in the APSL, WPSL and WSL

Entering his fourth season as the coach of The University of Akron women’s soccer team, Chris Pfau (pronounced Fow) continues to elevate Akron into one of the top women’s soccer programs in the Mid-American Conference and the entire Midwest.

In his first three years, Pfau has taken a program that had produced just one winning season and no MAC Tournament appearances in its first seven years of existence, to a MAC East Division Championship (2009) and back-to-back MAC Tournaments (2009, 2010). Pfau’s side has dominated the MAC East during the last two seasons, going undefeated against fellow East Division foes in 2009 (5-0-0) and 2010 (4-0-1).

After a slow start to the 2010 campaign, the Zips found their stride in the season’s second half, surging to the finish the regular season with four straight wins and falling one point shy of its second straight MAC East Division Championship. The side did secure a second straight MAC Tournament appearance, losing to number two seed Miami in the first round. Freshman Kelly DeNiro was named to the Freshman All-MAC Team after a stellar rookie season where she scored one goal and added five assists – tying her for the UA record for helpers in a season.  Pfau’s mentoring also produced the breaking of the career saves record by Jeny Wolbert and the career assists record by Jordan Baranowski.

The 2010 season also saw a pair of Zips earn CollegeSoccer360 Primetime Performer of the Week honors. Katie Wise received the nod after her hat trick in the season-opening win over Illinois State (Aug. 20) at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field and Rachel Phillip took the honor after netting a pair of markers in the 2-1 overtime victory at Miami on Oct. 17. Both Wise and Phillip took home MAC Offensive Player of the Week awards for their efforts as did Leigh Cullen after she completed a hat trick in the win over Canisius on Sept. 3.

The 2009 season was capped off by a six-game winning streak to finish the regular season. During that streak, the Zips conceded just one goal to finish the season 9-7-1 in the MAC and claim the first ever conference title in just the ninth season as a varsity program.

Pfau, whose resume boasts a wealth of collegiate and professional coaching and playing experience, made an almost immediate mark on the program in his first season and has the Zips poised to take another jump during their tenth year as a varsity sport.

In 2008, Akron went undefeated during its first five matches. Included in the team's exciting start was a 6-2 home win over Big East foe Pittsburgh in the season-opener. Other highlights of Pfau's inaugural campaign at UA included Britni Bäck earning All-Ohio and All-Mid-American Conference Honors. Back was also named to the Soccer Buzz National Elite Team of the Week (following the win over Pitt), marking the first time an Akron has earned that distinction. Additionally, five Zips were named Academic All-MAC Honorable Mention.

Much like at Akron, Pfau's impact on the Evansville program was immediate as his first squad set a school record for non-conference winning percentage (.818), produced three All-MVC players and reached the semifinals of the league tournament. Also, newcomer Kayla Lambert was named First Team All-MVC, MVC Freshman of the Year, All-Great Lakes Region and Freshman All-American.

In 2006, the Aces improved their league record to 3-3-0 and did even better in the conference tournament, reaching the title match. It took an overtime goal to keep them from making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. At season's end, Evansville had six players named All-MVC and three student-athletes finished among the NCAA's top 50 in points for the season, while Lambert and Mia Tofano were each named all-region. Also that season, Pfau and his assistant coaches, Krista McKendree and Alison Weimer, were chosen by their peers as the MVC Women's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year.

In 2007, Evansville compiled a 10-5-3 overall record and went 3-1-2 versus league opponents. As a reward for their outstanding campaign, five players were named All-MVC, including four first-team picks. Lambert, a junior who played three seasons for Pfau, was named all-region and became just the second player in program history to make that honorary squad three times.

In addition to his on-the-field success, Pfau's teams have excelled in the classroom. A total of six Academic All-MVC honors were bestowed upon the Aces over his three years as mentor of the program, including a league-best three in 2007. Also in 2007, Evansville posted a team grade-point average of above 3.0, thereby earning the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Team Academic Award.

Pfau took over the Evansville program following two seasons (2003 and 2004) as the top assistant coach at Princeton. In 2004, the Tigers went undefeated in Ivy League competition en route to reaching the final four of the NCAA College Cup - making them the first women's soccer program in that conference to reach the semifinal round.

A 1989 graduate of Old Dominion, Pfau played professionally for 10 years in the APSL, NPSL and WSL. He began his coaching career while playing, serving as head coach of the Cincinnati United Soccer Club from 1995-99 and as assistant coach of the Cincinnati Riverhawks of the A-League from 1997-99. He was a team captain, four-year starter and also earned all-region honors during his collegiate career at ODU while completing a bachelor of science degree in hotel/restaurant management.

Pfau was head men's soccer coach at NAIA Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D., from 1999-2002, and in 2002 was head women's soccer coach at Division III Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind. He has also been an Olympic Development Program coach in New Jersey, Ohio and Indiana since 1996.

Pfau and his wife, Tracey, have a daughter, Paige (12), and a son, Connor (10).

Assistant coach Rob Battisson is set to begin his fifth season as a member of The University of Akron women's soccer coaching staff in 2011. Battisson has been instrumental in the program's consistent rise over the past several seasons. He serves as assistant coach and as the program's recruiting coordinator for field players.

Prior to joining the UA staff, he served as head men's coach at Division II Chowan University (N.C.) during the 2005-06 season. Preceding his time at Chowan, he was assistant women's coach at D-II Northwest Missouri State from 2003-05. Since 2004, Battisson has accumulated several years of ODP coaching experience, serving on the staffs of the Region II, Ohio North, and Kansas teams. He currently is a Region II ODP staff coach and the head coach of the Ohio North ODP team.

As a student-athlete, Battisson was a three-year captain at D-II Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pa., where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. He earned a master of arts degree from Northwest Missouri State in 2005 and holds a master of science degree in sport science/coaching and exercise physiology from The University of Akron.

In his time at Lock Haven, he was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, a four-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) scholar-athlete and was twice honored as First-Team All-PSAC.

Battisson hails from the United Kingdom, where he played and coached in numerous youth and adult leagues. . He holds USSF "A" and National Youth Licenses; NSCAA Premier diploma and a Level 2 goalkeeping diploma; and a Level 2 coaching certificate from the English Football Association.

Battisson is a member of the English Football Association, the NSCAA and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Former Indiana State head coach and University of Miami (Fla.) assistant Vernon Croft joined The University of Akron women's soccer coaching staff on Feb. 13, 2012. Croft will assist in all aspects of the program, including the training of the goalkeepers and other team members.

"I am very excited about the hire of Vernon Croft," Pfau said. "I have great respect for him as a coach. To have someone on staff with his background as a 10-year Division I head coach and assistant with the University of Miami (Fla.) will not only push our program and players but also our coaching staff. He will be working with the keepers but also will have valuable input with all aspects of our training and soccer program."

"Vernon will bring a wealth of knowledge and a great vision of the game," Pfau continued. "He also cares immensely about the student-athlete experience, something we pride ourselves on here at The University of Akron."

Most recently, Croft spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Miami (Fla.) where he was the recruiting coordinator and coached the goalkeepers and attacking players. Eight of the Hurricane's 11 starters in 2011 were a part of the two recruiting classes coordinated by Croft.

Prior to his stint at Miami, Croft spent ten seasons as the head coach at Indiana State after starting the women's soccer program in 1999. He is the Sycamores all-time winningest coach, and led ISU to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship in 2008. Croft was also named the MVC Coach of the Year in 2004.

Croft coached 15 all-conference performers, one MVC Freshman of the Year and eight MVC All-Tournament honorees while in Terre Haute. His teams were honored nine consecutive times with NSCAA Team Academic Awards, including a #1 team academic ranking in 2004.

Croft spent four years as an assistant with the Missouri State women's soccer program helping them develop a program from infancy with their first season in 1996. In addition, he was the men's goalkeeper coach at Missouri State for three years.

He previously spent two years each as the assistant women's soccer coach at Widener University and the graduate assistant men's coach at Lynchburg College.

Croft received a bachelor of arts from Lynchburg in 1994 and a master's of education from Widener in 1996. He hold a USSF National A License.

Former Mercyhurst College standout and Premier Development League player Brian Jankowski is entering his second year as a volunteer assistant coach with the University of Akron women's soccer program. Jankowski will be responsible for all areas of coaching as well as the day-to-day operations of the program.

Jankowski also coaches for the Cleveland FC club program, guiding two teams to youth state championships, and coaching one current national league squad, with two current national pool team members.

An accomplished player on the pitch, Jankowski was a prep standout at Strongsville High School. He captained the 1997 team to the Ohio division one state title, earning All-Ohio honors in the process.

Jankowski played collegiately at Mercyhurst College where he was a member of the 1998 division two final four squad. He was also named the team's freshman of the year in that season. He capped off his college career by being named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team in both 2001 and 2002.

Jankowski was also a member of the Premier Development League's West Michigan Edge in 2001 and 2002. While with the Edge, Jankowski led the club in game winning goals in 2001 and in points accumulated off yellow cards in 2002.

The Strongsville, Ohio native holds a USSF C license and graduated from Mercyhurst in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in marketing.

Former University of Akron goalkeeper Michelle Smith begins her first season as women's soccer director of operations in 2011. Smith will be in charge of handling the day-to-day logistics of Akron women's soccer.

Smith steps into her new role after spending the past two seasons as one of Chris Pfau's netminders, starting the final six games of the 2010 season and leading her squad to a 4-1-1 mark while recording two clean sheets. Smith finished the 2011 season with 34 saves in 10 games and a goals against average of 0.94 - the lowest season GAA ever recorded by an Akron goalkeeper.

Smith began her collegiate career at Austin Peay, where she made 17 starts and 18 total appearances as a sophomore in 2007. She finished her collegiate career with a combined record of 14-12-1 between her time at APSU and UA.

A native of Las Vegas, Smith completed her master's degree in political science in the spring of 2011.

CLARK CAREER STATISTICS
Year   MP/MS  G  A  Pts  Shots (SOG)  GW
2007   19/15  1  1  3    25 (14)      0
2008   2/1    0  0  0    0 (0)        0
2009   18/15  2  0  4    17 (9)       1
2010   19/18  3  2  8    23 (11)      1
Totals 58/49  6  3  15   65 (34)      2

Dayton Dutch Lions FC (USL W-League) (2011)

as a Redshirt Junior (2010): Scored three goals and added two assists … scored the opener in the win against Kent State (Oct. 22) … found the net twice against Buffalo (Oct. 24) in the next match to earn MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors …  assisted on two of Akron’s three goals in the 3-0 win over Ball State (Oct. 1) … played in all 19 matches and missed just one start ... fired 23 shots, 11 on target.

as a Redshirt Sophomore (2009): Scored two goals including the game winner in the match at Kent State, an 86th minute strike off a free kick ... also scored the opener in the 2-1 win at Morehead State ... did not miss a game and was a starter 15 times ... recorded 17 shots on the season, including a season-high nine in the tie with Eastern Michigan (Sept. 25) ... nine shots were on goal.

as a Sophomore (2008): Sidelined for the majority of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury ... starter in the 6-2 season-opening victory over Pittsburgh (Aug. 22) ... Dean’s List honoree. 
   
as a Freshman (2007): Played in all 19 matches, with 15 starts ... 25 shots ranked as second most on the team, while her 14 shots on goal tied for second highest on the team ... had a season-best three shots in a match on three occasions  ... scored one goal and tallied one assist (three points) for the season ... one of three freshmen to score at least one goal (Jordan Baranowski and Kyra Petrole) ... first collegiate score came in the final match of the regular season, a 3-2 double-overtime loss to MAC opponent Ohio (Nov. 1) ... lone assist came in the Zips’ 2-1 victory at St. Bonaventure (Sept. 7) ... Dean’s List and Scholar-Baller honoree.
   
at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner ... team was conference and sectional champions during her senior season, posting a 12-4-3 record ... also as a senior, was the Southwestern Conference’s leading scorer (52 points – 21 goals and 10 assists), earned All-Ohio Second Team, all-conference first team, and Greater Cleveland Honorable Mention recognition ... scored 27 points (11 goals and five assists) during her junior season ... honor roll student.
   
Personal: Born August 3, 1989 ... daughter of Camille Clark ... has a younger sister, Courtney ... plays the drums and the violin.