PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland State head women's soccer coach Laura Schott has decided to step away from college coaching after nine years at the helm of the Vikings' program. Schott's last day will be June 9. A national search for her replacement will begin immediately.
 
Schott's decision to step down comes after leading the Vikings to four Big Sky regular-season titles in the past nine years, including three straight from 2011-13. Schott was named Big Sky Coach of the Year for the second time after the 2013 season, when she led the Vikings to an unbeaten 8-0-1 record against Big Sky opponents.
 
Schott leaves the Vikings as the program's all-time winningest head coach with a 73-76-22 overall record, and a 44-21-11 Big Sky record. Schott became the all-time wins leader at Portland State in just her fourth year at the helm, while her 73 career wins more than double that of her nearest competitor.
 
Schott originally came to the Vikings as an assistant coach in 2004, but was elevated to head coach on Feb. 22, 2008.
 
Before coming to Portland State, Schott played professionally for the Washington Freedom of the WUSA in 2003, and for the California Storm of the WPSL in 2004. Schott also played internationally for the United States Senior Women's National Team at the 2001 Algarve Cup, where she made five appearances, including four starts, and scored a goal in the team's match against Norway.
 
In college, Schott set the career record for goals scored at the University of California with 56, breaking the record former World Cup and U.S. Olympic veteran Joy Fawcett (née Biefeld) set at 55. Additionally, Schott tied the single-season record Fawcett set with 23 goals as a sophomore in 2000, earning NSCAA All-America First-Team honors at the end of the year.
 
Schott was also a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, given to the nation's top player, in 2001, and will be inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 8, 2017.
 
READ SCHOTTS FULL COMMENTS ON HER DECISION TO STEP DOWN:
 
"I'd like to thank President Wim Wiewel, Athletic Director Valerie Cleary, Deputy Athletic Director Matt Billings, Senior Women's Administrator Lisa Miller, and all of our current, incoming, and former players. I owe a great deal of gratitude to all other administrators, head coaches, assistant coaches, staff, and faculty who have supported our program and our department. Special thank you to former Athletic Directors Mark Rountree and Torre Chisholm for their support. Torre hired me as a 26-year-old first-time head coach and I will always be grateful for the confidence he showed in me in doing so.
 
"Stepping down has been a very difficult decision, and I know I will miss being the women's soccer coach at PSU. We have a great group of young people on our team. I look forward to following them as a fan.  
 
"I'd like to thank my family and friends for their support. My husband, my daughter, my parents, and in-laws have come to many home games lending unending support. It has been a special opportunity to coach Division I soccer with you in the stands.
 
"Playing a role in the education of the young people at PSU has been a passion for me, not just a job. I wish everyone at PSU much success in the future. I am lucky to call you all friends."
 
PORTLAND STATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR VALERIE CLEARY ON SCHOTT:

"I want to thank coach Schott for her many years of commitment to Viking Athletics. Not only has she been an amazing coach, but also a fantastic co-worker within the department and an excellent ambassador on campus and in the community.  Words cannot express the impact she has made within the department. On behalf of the department, we wish her the best in all her future endeavors."