Cairn University Athletics

Kristina O'Connell enters her sixth year as Cairn University's Head Women's Soccer Coach in 2022.

In 2019, O'Connell led the Highlanders its first Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship in program history and its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. In 2021, O'Connell led Cairn back to the CSAC Championship game, upsetting No. 1 seed Cedar Crest College in the CSAC Semifinals. In four full seasons at the helm, O'Connell has led Cairn to three winning-seasons, three CSAC Tournament berths and two CSAC Championship appearances. With 41 career victories, O'Connell is the winningest-coach in program history.

O’Connell played four years of soccer at NCAA Division III Lancaster Bible College. During her time there she was a starter all four years and a captain during her junior and senior year. She ranks in the top-five all-time for the women’s program at LBC in goals, assists, game winners, and points. She was the first Charger to reach the 100 point milestone, which only five players in program history have accomplished.

During her time in the program she was instrumental in helping the team go from two wins as an underclassman to an impressive eighteen her senior year, which holds the record for most wins in a season. She also led the 2011 team to the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the first time in program history. Prior to her time at Lancaster Bible, Kristina competed as a 4-year varsity player at Pennridge High School and was a captain her senior year. During her time at Lancaster Bible she played in the WPSL for the Buxmont Torch FC. O’Connell also works in the Office of Admissions at Cairn as the Visit & Event Coordinator.

O’Connell graduated from Lancaster Bible in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Bible and in 2014 with a Master of Science in Sports Ministry. Her desire is to see the game of soccer used both as a platform to share the good news of Christ and as a way to represent Him on and off the field.

Kristina and her husband Jason (Cairn University's Head Men's Basketball Coach) were married in September 2013 and currently reside in Langhorne, PA with their son, Elijah, who was born in 2019.

O'Connell's Record as Cairn's Head Women's Soccer Coach:

Year	Record	Accolades
2021	11-8-1	CSAC Championship Appearance
2020-21	0-1
2019	12-5-4	CSAC Championship, NCAA Division III Tournament
2018	11-5-3	CSAC Tournament
2017	7-11-0
Total (4 Years)	41-30-8 (.570)