EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville women's soccer head coach Chris Pfau has announced that Sierra Pagan, a former team captain and starter in the midfield and defense for the Purple Aces, is returning to her alma mater to serve as a volunteer assistant coach.  Pagan will assist with all aspects of the Purple Aces' program.

"It is great to have Sierra not only on staff, but to have her back here at UE," said Pfau.  "Sierra is someone who has great energy, loves UE, and she wants to help continue to have our program succeed both on and off the field.  To have someone like that on your staff is very exciting!"

Pagan played in 66 games, with 37 starts both in the midfield and defense from 2015 through 2018 at UE.  She was a key reserve for Evansville in 2015 as a freshman and helped the Purple Aces reach the NCAA Tournament.  She then fought her way into the Evansville starting lineup three times as a sophomore in 2016, before being a mainstay in the Purple Aces' lineup her final two seasons at Evansville while serving as a team captain. 

Pagan also excelled in the classroom at UE, earning a place on the Missouri Valley Conference's Academic Honor Roll.  Pagan graduated with honors from Evansville with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2019.

Evansville opens training on Tuesday, August 2, with the first exhibition match slated for Wednesday, August 10 at Alabama A&M.  The Purple Aces will host NCAA Tournament participant Saint Louis in a free exhibition match on Saturday, August 13 at 1 p.m., before opening the 2022 regular-season on Thursday, August 18 against traditional Southeastern Conference power Vanderbilt at 7 p.m.