SPORTS BRIEF: Friday, February 19, 1999

Penn close to selecting a new W. Soccer coach Following Baker's announcement in late December, a preliminary search for a new coach began in early January and the official search for a new coach began the third week of January, according to Senior Associate Athletic Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich, who is chairing the search committee. The search was also aided by coincidence. Philadelphia was the host city for the 52nd annual National Soccer Coaches of America Conference held January 19-23. "We had a good chance to network and do a lot of talking to people and even meet some people informally," Femovich said. The current Quakers players have also been consulted for input as part of the selection process, and have been meeting with candidates as part of the interview process. "[The administration] has been super helpful," said junior defender Jennifer Danielson, one of the four players who interviewed candidates. "[The administration] really asked us what we thought, and I think they are using what we gave them." Penn's search is one of a number of women's soccer coaching changes occurring this winter. Coaching changes have already occurred at major soccer programs including Notre Dame, Maryland, Texas and Baylor. Additionally, Georgetown is still searching for its new women's soccer coach. Following this coaching search, Femovich will not get much time to rest. Penn will begin another coaching search in two weeks when Julie Soriero steps down as the coach of the women's basketball team. -- Josh Callahan