Sara Yunez

Sara Yunez

Sara Yunez began working with the Houghton coaching staff in the summer of 2019.  Coach Yunez brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as a goalkeeper and will work primarily with that position.

A December 2018 graduate of Messiah College, Yunez most recently coached at Covenant College in the spring of 2019.

During her playing career Yunez earned numerous accolades for her work between the pipes for a storied Falcons program.  A two-time First-Team All-MAC selection, she garnered 2018 First-Team All-Region and 2018 First-Team All-America honors during her final campaign.  During her final season Yunez logged more than 1,400 minutes, making 25 saves while allowing only five goals.  She held a 17-1-2 record while completing seven shutouts and a 0.833 save percentage.  She was the first All-America goalkeeper in Messiah history.

For her career, Yunez played in 60 games, stopping 90 shots while allowing only 14 goals.  She recorded 26 shutouts while posting a 36-4-4 record in the net.

A medical redshirt allowed Yunez to spend five years with the Messiah women’s soccer program.  During that time her teams finished with an impressive 106-6-12 record, which included finishes in the national Sweet 16 (2018), Elite Eight (2014 & 2017), Final Four (2015) and national runner-up (2016).

“Coach Yunez brings expertise at goalkeeping and a great understanding of the game, especially defensively,” commented coach Nikki Elsassaer.  “She is a die-hard competitor and embodies the belief that little things make big things happen.

“Off the field, she is naturally relationally invested. She [is] someone who can give good advice about soccer, school and life. She loves the Lord and has a heart for sports ministry. I am excited with the way our playing philosophies will connect but I am even more excited for what she will bring to the team in other ways.”

Among her various passions, Coach Yunez lists Jesus, geriatrics, travel, family, friends and her niece and nephew as most important in her life. 

When not coaching, Yunez works as a patient care coordinator at Absolut Care Nursing Home in Houghton.