Chris Lemay enters his ninth season as head coach of the Utah Valley women’s soccer team in 2025. Under his leadership, the Wolverines have become one of the most successful programs in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and a powerhouse in NCAA women's soccer. Lemay ranks among the most successful coaches in UVU history, standing alone as the only coach to ever lead a UVU team to an NCAA Tournament victory (2020). In 2024, he was honored with the prestigious UVU Award of Excellence, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the university.
Lemay has guided UVU to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2017, 2020, 2022), including the program’s first NCAA Tournament win in 2020. He has led the Wolverines to two WAC Tournament titles (2017, 2020) and four WAC regular-season championships (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024). He is a two-time WAC Coach of the Year (2022, 2024) and has guided UVU to five WAC Tournament championship match appearances (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Over his tenure, Lemay’s players have earned 49 All-WAC honors, including 23 first-team selections. His teams have produced multiple WAC Player of the Year honorees, including Faith Webber (2024) and Heather Stainbrook (2022), as well as standout WAC Defensive Players of the Year such as Haley Funn (2024), Jenna Shepherd (2021, 2022), and Sydney Bushman (2023). UVU has also had WAC Freshman of the Year honorees, including Amber Tripp (2017), Breanna Eves (2018), and Kate Shirts (2024). His players have achieved 18 All-Region selections and numerous academic honors at the national level.
Academic Excellence
Lemay’s players have excelled academically, with UVU earning eight consecutive United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards. His players have received six United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America honors, including Faith Webber (2023, 2024), Heather Stainbrook (2021, 2022), Jenna Shepherd (2022), Haley Funn (2024), Manthy Brady (2024), and Ruby Hladek (2024). Three Wolverines have also earned consecutive College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® honors: Heather Stainbrook (2022), Sydney Bushman (2023), and Faith Webber (2024). In 2024, UVU had a nation-best four players named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Team.
2024 Season Highlights
In 2024, Lemay led UVU to its third consecutive WAC regular-season title with a 6-0-1 conference record and a 12-5-2 overall mark. The Wolverines earned 10 All-WAC honors, with Faith Webber named WAC Offensive Player of the Year, Haley Funn as WAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Kate Shirts as WAC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Heather Stainbrook became the first player in program history to sign with a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, joining the Washington Spirit and helping them reach the 2024 NWSL Championship game.
Other Notable Achievements
- 2023: UVU captured its second straight WAC regular-season title with a 10-4-5 overall record and an unbeaten 7-0-2 mark in conference play. The team conceded only three goals in nine WAC matches, with Sydney Bushman named WAC Defensive Player of the Year.
- 2022: UVU finished with a program-record-tying 14 wins and ranked among the nation's offensive leaders, placing third in assists (59) and 10th in scoring offense (2.45 goals per game). The Wolverines defeated No. 13 BYU on the road and drew No. 23 UCF in a historic season.
- 2020: Lemay led UVU to its first NCAA Tournament win, defeating No. 25 Memphis, and claimed both WAC regular-season and tournament championships. The team finished with the best RPI ranking in program history (No. 66).
Previous Coaching Experience
Before joining UVU, Lemay served as associate head coach at Cal (2012–16), helping the Golden Bears to four NCAA Tournament appearances. He also coached at San Diego State, UC Riverside, and with the San Diego Sea Lions in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. He holds a USSF A License and is a FIFA-certified Beach Soccer Coach.
Playing Career and Education
Lemay was a four-year starter at Eastern Michigan, where he earned a degree in communication with a minor in business management. He also played semi-professional soccer with Michigan Madness.
Personal
Chris and his wife, Tami, have four children: Van, Olivia, Hannah, and Eva, and one grandson, Cash.
