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3-5-3 MIAC, 10-5-3 Overall


Cardinals' Guinn steps down as SMU's head coach

Tony
Guinn
Steps down as SMU head coach
WINONA, Minn. — WINONA, Minn. — After compiling an impressive 273-86-19 record in 10 seasons as the head boys' and girls' soccer coach at St. Catherine High School in Racine, Wis., Tony Guinn was ready for a new challenge — and he jumped at the chance to take over the Saint Mary's University women's soccer program.

And in his first three seasons at the helm, Guinn guided the Cardinals to an average of 10 wins a season, including a 13-5-0 record in 2005 — the most by a Cardinal team since 1994, when they went 16-3-1 and lost to UC-San Diego in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Wednesday, Guinn stepped down as Saint Mary's head coach to accept the head women's soccer position at Western Illinois State University.

And the Cardinals loss is the Westerwinds' gain.

"It's a bittersweet time for me," admitted Guinn. who inherits a WIU team that is coming off an 11-7-1 record a year ago — the best record in school history. ""I'm excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of me at Western Illinois, but at the same time, I am very sad to leave Saint Mary's and the wonderful student-athletes in the women's soccer program.

"I would like to thank SMU for the opportunity to work with such wonderful student-athletes," said Guinn. "We have so many great memories to share and I will miss the players and Coach Halberg very much. The people are what make SMU the special place that it is," Guinn added. "Our women's soccer program has made outstanding strides over the past three seasons, and I expect that to continue in the years to come."

Guinn arrived at SMU in 2004, taking over an SMU program that went 3-14-1 the previous year and finished 10th in the MIAC standings. The Cardinals posted a 7-10-1 mark that inaugural year, then followed that up with their 13-5-0 run two years ago and a 10-5-3 showing a year ago.

"Coach Guinn had a great impact on the women's soccer program and was a key factor in turning the program around," said SMU athletic director Nikki Fennern, noting that an announcement regarding Guinn's replacement will be made soon. "With the level of talent currently on the team, the pragram will continue to grow. I expect a great year and future for this program."