Local standout named college head coach

Former Palmer High School soccer standout Lynda (Stehlik) Bowers has been named the head coach of the Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville women's soccer

program.

Bowers returns to her alma matter after an 18-month stretch at the helm of St. Louis Community College at Forest Park women's soccer.

Following her tenure at Palmer High, where she was a four-year All-State selection and the 1994 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Alaska, Bowers was a four-year standout for the SIUE soccer squad.

After graduating, Bowers stayed with the Cougars as an assistant coach.

"We are extremely excited about bringing a former player back to the institution," SIUE athletics director Brad Hewitt said in a press release. "She is young and energetic and fits the mold of the type of coach that we wanted to bring in."

Bowers said that returning to her alma mater as the head coach was always an idea, but not a serious thought.

"I never pictured Coach

Korbesmeyer stepping down," Bowers said.

Korbesmeyer had coached the Cougars for 14 seasons, compiling a 153-77-25 record.

"I had thought about the job in the back of my mind, and when I was there we use to joke that when he leaves I would take over," Bowers said. "We would joke about it."

The idea became a legitimate possibility for Bowers when

Korbesmeyer resigned earlier in the year. Hewitt, who was recently hired as SIUE's athletics director, changed the women's soccer head coaching position from part-time to full-time. Korbesmeyer did not want to accept the full-time position and resigned. Bowers said that after his resignation, Korbesmeyer urged her to apply for the position.

Bowers is now the first full-time head coach in the history of the SIUE women's soccer program.

The 1994 Palmer graduate was also the first head women's soccer coach at St. Louis Community College.

"It's bittersweet," Bowers said of her change in positions. "I am leaving a place that I liked and where I loved the staff, but I am going to a place where I call home."

"There will be a lot of challenges," Bowers added.

In addition to coaching at a Division II institution, Bowers said that she will have many new responsibilities such as more paperwork, organizing events, fundraising and NCAA compliance.

Bowers first game as SIUE head coach will be a Aug. 29 home contest against South Dakota.