Washington State women's soccer head coach Keidane McAlpine has left Pullman after just two seasons to become the head coach of USC's women's soccer team, USC announced today.

McAlpine leaves after one of the best seasons in WSU history; the 2013 squad went 14-3-4 and hosted the first NCAA tournament game in Pullman in a decade. Under McAlpine, the women's soccer team had one of the best defensive units in the country, as the Cougs only allowed 11 goals during the season.

In his two years at the helm of Cougar soccer, McAlpine guided the program to a 26-9-6 record and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Both tournament appearances ended in the first round in penalty kicks.

McAlpine had this to say in USC's press release:

"Thank you to Pat Haden, Max Nikias and Steve Lopes for the opportunity to come to such a prestigious institution. I'm excited to get to work and be a part of the Trojan family. I thank (WSU president) Elson Floyd, (WSU Director of Athletics) Bill Moos and (WSU Senior Associate AD/SWA) Anne McCoy for all their wonderful support and guidance. It was great to work with the student-athletes at Washington State, and I thank them for their hard work and dedication. I'm looking forward to working with a new set of women with the goal of bringing the national championship back to USC."

McAlpine becomes the second head soccer coach to depart Pullman in the last three years after his predecessor, Matt Potter, left for Oklahoma.

Washington State's soccer facilities lag behind the conference and Athletic Director Bill Moos has already begun the upgrade and renovation process. That proposed soccer stadium is going to be one of the biggest selling points of the program to prospective coaches and athletes.

As for where Moos looks for the new coach? McAlpine was a long-tenured assistant at Auburn before he was plucked, so expect the net to be cast far and wide.

KUGR.org fundraiser

KUGR.org is a student-run online radio station at Washington State that I work for, and it needs your help. We are currently running a fundraising drive and the Board of Directors would greatly appreciate it if you guys could help out. Click here if you are willing, and able, to donate to the station.