Geier makes encore performance as St. Clair women's soccer coach

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The local soccer community showcased its flexibility with the announcement earlier this week that Kris Geier is returning to St. Clair College as head coach of the women’s team.

The top job opened up when former head coach Steve Vagnini stepped down recently to take a position as head coach of the men’s team at the University of Windsor.

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Geier is familiar with Lancers’ soccer as well, having served as head coach of the women’s program there from 2003-07.

“I got the itch again,” Geier said of taking the reins.

For the past three years, he served as Vagnini’s assistant at St. Clair.

“Working with Steve was a real pleasure,” Geier said. “We’re pretty compatible and we’ve been friends for a long time.”

Indeed, the interchangeable roles go back to Geier’s time with the Lancers when Vagnini served as his assistant.

During his first stint at St. Clair from 1987-2002, Geier coached the Saints to an OCAA championship in 1988, an OCAA silver medal in 1987 and an OCAA bronze in 1999. He was named OCAA coach of the year in 1988.

“Kris is a very passionate and driven coach who will push our athletes to achieve at the highest level,” St. Clair athletic director Christina Gatto said in a statement.

Geier is facing a major rebuild with just four returning players from the team that went 7-1-2 and hosted the OCAA outdoor championships last fall. The Saints also won an OCAA silver medal from the indoor season earlier this year.

“With only four kids returning and no keeper, we’ve got our hands full,” Geier said. “That’s going to be a bit of a struggle.”

Gadeer Sobh will continue on the Saints’ staff as an assistant coach. Both she and Geier are scouring local high school games in search of talent.