Kim Sutton is in her tenth season as Chico State's head women’s soccer coach and 16th at the NCAA Division II level. Sutton has established herself as one of the top coaches in the nation – entering the 2010 season, she owns a 93-58-34 record in her nine years with the Wildcats and an overall mark of 220-124-49 in a coaching career that has spanned over 20 years. Sutton has led the Wildcats to four California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division crowns, four CCAA Championship Tournament finals (winning the program’s first-ever CCAA conference title in 2007) and four NCAA Championship Tournament appearances.
The 2009 season continued the nearly non-stop success that Sutton has enjoyed at Chico State. The Wildcats – led by first team All-West Region midfielder Ali Sward and All-West Region second team forward Kelsey Ikemoto – captured the CCAA North Division title and earned a No. 5 ranking in the West Region while competing in their fifth CCAA Championship Tournament in the last six years. For the fourth time since 2004, Chico State advanced to the NCAA Championship Tournament and capped off the season with an exciting victory over Seattle Pacific Nov. 12 to notch the first NCAA Tournament win in the program’s history. Sutton's Wildcats also excelled in the classroom, earning the Academic Team Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
The CCAA’s Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2007, Sutton has averaged nearly 10 victories a season in her 15 years as a Division II college coach. She begins the 2010 season with a winning percentage of .581, the 42nd highest in the history of women's Division II soccer, and she ranks 34th all-time with 148 victories at the D-II level. Figuring in her five years as a junior college coach, Sutton’s all-time career winning percentage is an even more impressive .622.
On September 17, 2005, in just her 11th year at the Division II level, Sutton earned her 100th NCAA coaching victory with a 1-0 win at San Francisco State.
Prior to her 2001 arrival at Chico State, Sutton spearheaded the Humboldt State women’s soccer program during its first six years of existence (1995-2000), and led the Lumberjacks to two Pacific West Conference titles, two NCAA Tournament appearances, and an overall record of 55-42-14.
Sutton got the Lumberjacks off to a fast start – in just the program’s third season as an intercollegiate sport, Humboldt State posted a 12-4-4 record in 1997 and reached the NCAA Championship Tournament quarterfinals. Sutton led the Lumberjacks to a third consecutive 10-win season in 1998, culminating in her being named the Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year.
Sutton took on her first head coaching job at Santa Rosa Junior College, guiding the Bear Cubs from 1990-1994. While there, she led the team to three conference titles and a pair of state championship matches while compiling an overall mark of 72-24-1.
As a player, Sutton earned All-Conference honors playing soccer for Sonoma State in 1986, and competed for Team USA on its 1987 tour of Europe and the Soviet Union.
Sutton received her bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State in 1989, with an emphasis in teacher preparation and minor in chemistry. She earned her master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in biochemical kinesiology from Sonoma State in 1993.
Nicole Motl is in her second year as assistant coach at Chico State. She plays a significant role in all aspects of the program, including on-field instruction, recruiting, and player academics. Motl also works with head coach Kim Sutton in coordinating various Wildcat youth soccer camps throughout the year.
The Wisconsin native has brought a wealth of coaching experience to the ’Cats. From 2006-09 Motl served as an assistant coach for the state’s Olympic Development Program, and for two seasons as Head Coach for the West Allis Nathan Hale High School girls varsity soccer team. Motl also spent several years coaching teams for Wisconsin’s Whitefish Bay Soccer Club.
From 2001-05 Motl excelled as a midfielder playing for the Division I University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s soccer team, and with the Panthers won five Horizon League titles while appearing in three NCAA Championship Tournaments. She was a Horizon League All-Tournament and Academic Honor Roll selection in 2005.
Nicole earned bachelor’s degrees in both education and dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in May, 2006. She is currently working on her master’s in education at Chico State.
Kari Gonzales, the holder of every important career goalkeeping record in Chico State history, is in her third year as a member of the Wildcat women’s soccer coaching staff. Gonzales will play the lead role in mentoring the Wildcat goalkeepers, and oversee the team’s strength and conditioning efforts. She will also contribute her coaching skills to the program’s various youth soccer camps.
Gonzales wrapped up her playing career with the ’Cats following the 2007 season. An All-West Region and All-CCAA selection as a junior, Gonzales amassed 40 wins, a 0.63 goals against average, and 31 shutouts – all Chico State records – in three years as a starter. Her 0.50 goals against average as a senior is also a Chico State best.
Before becoming a Wildcat, Gonzales starred at Sierra High School in Manteca, earning back-to-back first team All-Valley Oak League honors and leading the Timberwolves to three league titles and a pair of section championships.
Gonzales earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Chico State in May, 2008. She is about to complete her master’s degree, also in kinesiology.