2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Lori Chalupny Joins Women's Soccer Staff

St. Louis, Mo., August 10, 2011 — Washington University in St. Louis women’s soccer coach Jim Conlon has added 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist and St. Louis native Lori Chalupny to his staff for the 2011 season. Chalupny joins 2006 Washington University graduate Stephanie Ackerman as an assistant coach for the Bears.

Chalupny is in her second season playing for the Atlanta Beat in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and played two seasons with the St. Louis Athletica. Chalupny was a member of the 2002 United States Under-19 World Championship Team and has earned 92 caps with the U.S. National Team. She played in four games for the U.S. in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, and scored in a 4-2 victory over Japan in the semifinals.

Chalupny played soccer at Nerinx Hall High School in St. Louis, and was a three-time all-ACC and All-American selection at the University of North Carolina. She graduated from UNC with a degree in exercise and sports science in 2006.

“We are extremely excited to have Lori joining the Washington University women's soccer family. She is a wonderful person with great character,” said Conlon, who enters his fourth season on the Danforth Campus. “Lori is a perfect role model for student-athletes and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the field while helping our recruiting and day-to-day activities."

Washington University opens the 2011 season at home on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m., against NAIA Missouri Baptist University. The Bears return 23 letterwinners and 10 starters from last year’s team, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament and posted an 11-8-2 overall record.

Head shot photo credit: David Todd
Action shot photo credit: Perry McIntyre