COLLEGE PARK, Md.—Maryland women’s soccer head coach Jonathan Morgan announced the addition of volunteer assistant coach Christine Nairn to the program’s staff on Monday. Nairn comes to College Park as a two-year veteran of the Washington Spirit and a current United States Senior National Team member.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Christine to our staff,” Morgan said. “Although she is in the prime of her professional playing career, she is incredibly ambitious and will make an excellent addition to the program. Christine is going to be a superb example, both on and off the field, for our young student-athletes aspiring to take their games to the next level.”
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the University of Maryland while still playing professionally," said Nairn. "Being from Maryland, I have always admired the women's soccer program and cannot wait to help the team in anyway I can."
The seventh overall pick for the Seattle Reign FC in the 2013 National Women’s Soccer League draft, Nairn currently starts at forward and midfield for the Washington Spirit, and is heralded as an offensively savvy player.
A member of the United States Women’s National Team, Nairn earned the distinction of being the youngest player to attend USWNT training camp. The 24-year old tallied her first international goal in a 1-0 victory over Canada in 2009 and recorded her first cap in a 4-0 victory over Canada later the same year. Additionally, Nairn was an integral member of the 2008 USWNT U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup team that won the tournament.
A Penn State graduate, the Arnold, Md. native was named a four-time All-Big Ten First Team selection as well as a 2012 NSCAA All-America honoree. As a senior, Nairn was named a M.A.C. Hermann Finalist in addition to the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year. Over her four years with the Nittany Lions, she led her team to four straight NCAA appearances and a place in the PSU record books as the second all-time assist leader.
Nairn is expected to make an immediate impact on the Terrapins, as the team is currently in the midst of its 2015 spring schedule.
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