Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: News

After three years at the helm of the Sacramento State women's soccer team, coach Katie Poynter stepped down, the athletics department announced on Friday.

Assistant coach Randy Dedini will take over for the team that finished a program-best 10-7-4 on its way to a first conference championship appearance.

Poynter stepped down because of how her job was affecting her family life.

"(My husband) got a job teaching in Livermore, so we decided it was time to focus on starting a family in the Bay Area," Poynter said.

Poynter estimated that she spent as few as 10 nights at home during the fall semester, which made them realize that a change was needed.

"I started to realize that I was missing out on a lot," she said.

The final decision was made in December, leaving Poynter with great memories of the team she has grown to love.

"I think what I'll remember most is the growth of the team and the players," Poynter said. "From a 3-15 team in my first year as head coach (2004) to last year's team was amazing. We built a team that the university can be proud of."

Dedini, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant for the Hornets, will try to continue the team's drastic progress over the last two seasons.

Senior forward Kelly Novak, who played under Poynter for four years, one with Poynter serving as an assistant coach, said that she will be missed because of how everyone got along with her.

"I think the girls will miss her," Novak said. "She's a great coach and I think of her as a big sister."

Novak said team members were informed individually but that the decision was not a surprise.

"There were rumors during the season about (her stepping down)," Novak said. "But we weren't told until after the season was over."

As far as Dedini stepping in, Novak doesn't see any problems.

"We never really thought of (Dedini) as an assistant. We basically had two head coaches," she said. "He brings a lot of positivity, and I think he's a great coach."

A three-year assistant under Poynter, Dedini said despite the title differences of head coach and assistant between he and Poynter, the decisions were made by the both of them.

"Katie (leaving) is a huge loss to (the soccer program), but (the players) felt comfortable with the both of us," Dedini said.

Dedini has had several coaching mentors in his career and served as an assistant for five years under Gene Klein at Quaker Valley High School near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Klein, who is now coaching the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, has been a key mentor in Dedini's career and said he has always been preparing to be a head coach for a college soccer program.

"This has always been a dream of mine to be a (Division I) soccer coach," Dedini said.

Poynter has faith that Dedini will do well in his new position.

"The girls love his passion. He has a huge heart for the game," she said. "He's likeable and you want to work for him."

Mo Whitney, a Sac State graduate and member of the Sacramento Storm of the Women's Professional Soccer League, will take over as the new assistant coach. Poynter will serve as a volunteer assistant.

"I'll still be involved," she said. "I'm still going to be their biggest fan."

The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies of Montana in the opening round of the Big Sky Tournament on penalty kicks before losing to Idaho State in the final on penalty kicks just two days later.

Benn Hodapp can be reached at bennhodapp@statehornet.com

Matthew Beltran can be reached at matthewbeltran@statehornet.com