Vanessa Vella was named an assistant coach for the Valparaiso University women’s soccer program in March of 2011.

In her first season on the sidelines with the Brown and Gold, she helped the Crusaders to a third place finish in the Horizon League, matching the school’s best finish since joining the conference prior to the 2007 season.  Valpo’s defense in 2011 notched nine shutouts, one shy of the school record, while posting a 0.94 goals against average, third best in school history.

Vella arrived at Valpo from the University of San Diego where she spent the two seasons in the same capacity.  The Toreros went 23-15-4 and were nationally-ranked both seasons while she was on staff, and earned a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.