April 20, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University women's soccer head coach Jerry Smith has announced the addition of Albertin Montoya to the Bronco coaching staff. Montoya will focus on leading the midfielders, and will work with all aspects of the program. Montoya steps in for Curtis McAlister, who was recently promoted to second assistant.
"Albertin's love of, passion for, and commitment to the game of soccer is second to none. From every person who's ever seen him play or coach to every player he's ever trained, the first thing you notice is his tremendous passion," Smith said. "Albertin is already known as one of the finest coaches in the country and we are very fortunate to be able to add him to our staff. I look forward to him making an immediate impact of the development of our players and team."
A native of Los Altos, Montoya returns to the mission campus with established coaching credentials. A graduate of Santa Clara, Montoya has spent the past eight years coaching and training players, from youths to professionals, in the Bay area. Most recently, he was an assistant trainer for the WUSA's San Jose CyberRays in 2003. He also currently coaches the semi-professional California Storm and the Youth MVLA Soccer Club.
Montoya, a midfielder, began his collegiate playing career at North Carolina State and was an Atlantic Coast Conference First Team selection in 1994. He received similar honors from the West Coast Conference in 1996 upon transferring to the Bronco program and was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club player of the year awards. He led the Broncos to the program's first-ever outright WCC Championship and totaled 16 goals and 25 assists during collegiate career.
"I am excited to return to campus; I can't think of a better place to be than Santa Clara under the guidance of Jerry Smith," Montoya said. "The chance to be a part of an exciting coaching staff and be involved with soccer minds to further my coaching education is a wonderful opportunity. I'm here to learn as much as I can."
Professionally, Montoya was a first round draft pick by the San Jose Clash. Internationally, he was a member of the U.S. U17 National Team and was invited to play with the U.S. Olympic Team in a match against Egypt.
Montoya is a 1997 graduate of Santa Clara University with a degree in Spanish. He is married to the former Erin Martinez, a Bronco alumna who is one of eight SCU players to notch 100 career points, and led the Broncos to the 1996 NCAA College Cup. She played professionally for the San Diego Spirit and was also a member of the U20 U.S. National Team. The couple resides in Mountain View.