DATE: May 23, 2005
GREENSBORO, NC Former United States Olympic goalkeeper Siri (pronounced SEAR-ee) Mullinix returned to her hometown and the site on which she won a collegiate national championship on Monday when she was named the new assistant coach for the UNC Greensboro women's soccer program.
Mullinix replaces Susie Parsons, who resigned earlier this spring after six seasons on the Spartans' staff. Parsons and her husband, Jason, are expecting their second child next fall.
Mullinix, who turns 27 on Sunday, won an NCAA title on the UNC Greensboro campus as a member of the UNC Chapel Hill team in 1997. She went on to earn a silver medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. As the starting keeper for the U.S. team in 2000, she appeared in 29 matches, with a record 28 starts. She also set a record with 15 shutouts during the calendar year, recording an 18-5-5 mark with a 0.60 goals against average.
“I am really excited about this opportunity,” said Mullinix, who recently moved to near-by Jamestown, NC. “I am looking forward to a new chapter in my career. While I don't rule out playing again, certainly the transition from player to coach is a natural progression. This will be my first experience as a coach outside of camp atmospheres and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Mullinix spent the last three seasons with the Washington Freedom in the WUSA. The squad made back-to-back Founders Cup game appearances in 2002 and 2003, winning the 2003 championship. In 2003, Mullinix earned a place as a reserve on the WUSA All-Star team.
“I'm very excited to have Siri join our women's soccer staff,” said UNCG coach Eddie Radwanski. “To have someone who brings US National Team, World Cup & Olympic experience is such a valuable asset. Her background and experience in the game will bring so much to UNCG women's soccer. Siri has had such a successful career in the game, and to bring her international experiences to our program is a tremendous asset. We have known each other for years, so this makes it an easy transition for both of us.”
At UNC Chapel Hill, Mullinix was a three-year starter, appearing in 90 matches during her career. She won two NCAA titles and three ACC championships during her time with the Tar Heels under legendary coach Anson Dorrance. During her freshman season, she backed up All-American Tracy Ducar, who became an assistant coach at UNCG following her graduation. Mullinix played in 25 games as a sophomore, allowing just six goals, and 26 more the following season. She allowed just three goals in that 1997 season, recording a 0.19 GAA and leading UNC to the national championship, which was held at UNCG Soccer Stadium. For her performance in the national semifinals and championship game, Mullinix earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors.
In her senior season, she started all 26 games, leading UNC back to the national title game. For her collegiate career, Mullinix had a 0.27 GAA, second-best in school-history.
“She is one of the legends from our program,” said Dorrance. “We are very proud of her for what she has accomplished both in the WUSA and with the US National Team. She will bond well with the student-athletes and will set a standard for the program. She will be a wonderful mentor.”
Mullinix is a product of Ragsdale High School, where she earned all-state honors as a sophomore and junior. Mullinix graduated early from high school and began attending UNC in what would normally have been her senior year.
UNCG, the 2004 Southern Conference champions, returns 21 players off of last year's roster, including 10 starters from the squad that went 14-5-1 overall and 9-1-1 in league play.
