Former California State, Dominguez Hills women’s soccer coach Karen Hanks not only walked away from a new 8,000 seat soccer venue, but also left behind a record of 93-36-13 and four Div. II NCAA tournament appearances with the Toros to pursue a job at Sacramento State.

“Sac State is not where a Div. I program should be having been around for eight years,” Hanks said. “It’s just a matter of trying to make some changes to give (the program) a good foundation so that there is something to build on,” Hanks said.

Under the guidance of former Hornet coach Sandra Asimos, the program’s record over eight seasons was just 55-82-10.

Hanks is more than willing to take on the challenge of building a successful Div. I program, and she realizes that gathering community support is a top priority.

“There needs to be a relationship between not only Sac State athletics and the community, but women’s soccer and the community,” Hanks said. “We need to get out there and show that we are a viable Div. I program.”

The Hornets have been practicing and training for the upcoming season since Aug. 14, and with Hanks just being hired in August she has had only a month to put together a team.

“I came in and just put everybody on the same level,” Hanks said. “Everybody just had a clean slate, regardless of whether you’re the senior or you are a brand new player.”

Although the team is still trying to find a formidable combination in the defensive backfield, Hanks is excited about the potential of her offensive threats, which will include senior striker Lisa Wrightsman.

Last year Wrightsman was a first-team all-Big Sky conference selection and lead the team with nine goals. If she is able to put 11 goals in the back of the net this season, Wrightsman will go down in the history books as Sac State’s all-time leading scorer.

“I think we should compete in the Big Sky. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be competitive,” Hanks said. “We will be dangerous offensively. We have more than one or two players that can finish.”

Hanks realizes her work is cut out for her in order to get the Hornet program headed in the right direction.

“It can happen here. And I believe that otherwise I wouldn’t have left what I did (at Dominguez Hills) to come here,” Hanks said. “I saw an opportunity to take a program that was kind of similar to when I took Dominguez. I like that. I like challenges.”