Information Provided By Franklin Pierce Sports Information


RINDGE, N.H. – Former Franklin Pierce University women’s soccer standout Pauliina Miettinen (Class of ’99) was recently named the head coach of Sky Blue FC in the Women’s Professional Soccer League. The announcement was made Tuesday at the team’s headquarters in Somerset, N.J. Sky Blue is the defending champions in the WPS, having won the title in 2009.

“I am very excited to be involved with the Sky Blue FC family and the professional atmosphere of the team,” Miettinen said in press release on the team’s official website. “After I visited New Jersey and the Sky Blue FC organization, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a part of this family. I am looking forward to coaching these dynamic athletes, and to working hard to prepare for the 2010 season and ensure the success of this team in the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league.”

Miettinen has had a fabulous career as both a player and a coach. As a player, Miettinen capped nine times for the Finnish National Team as a goalkeeper before heading to Franklin Pierce. Upon arriving in Rindge, she was switched to forward and began the process of re-writing the NCAA record books. A three-year captain for the Ravens, Miettinen received All-America accolades on three occasions while recording an NCAA-record 309 points on 122 goals and 65 assists. She helped guide Franklin Pierce to three Division II national titles during her time at the school.

Miettinen also played seven seasons in the Finnish Premier League, where she helped direct HAK Helsinki to four national championships, four Finnish Cup titles and a UEFA Champions League semifinal berth.

She graduated from Franklin Pierce in 1999 with her Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and psychology. Miettinen continued playing and continued to switch positions following her exceptional career at Franklin Pierce. She switched to defender and capped 17 more times for the Finnish National Team, becoming one of the only players in modern day soccer to play both on the field and in goal at the international level.

“I think it happened because of my love for soccer and sports,” Miettinen said in the press release. “You have to see your dream, and believe in that dream.”

Miettinen has top-level coaching experience in both her native Finland and the United States. Her coaching career began a little more than 10 years ago at her alma mater. In 1999, Miettinen served as an assistant coach at Franklin Pierce, and helped guide the Ravens to their fourth national title in five years. She then moved on to Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., in 2001, and assisted that program in making three-straight NSCAA Top-11 finishes. Miettinen also spent time at Florida State in 2005 and helped lead the Seminoles to the NCAA College Cup Semifinals that year.

She is currently the head coach for PK-35 in Helsinki, Finland, which is tied for first place in the Finnish Premier League. Before joining PK-35, Miettinen spent two years at FC Kontu in Helsinki.

“We decided our goal was to have a female coach since we are a female team in a female league,” Sky Blue FC General Manager Gerry Marrone said in the press release. “Pauliina is an experienced player at the highest level. Her successful versatility as a player is matched by her ability as a coach, having had success at both the American collegiate level and internationally in Finland.”

Miettinen’s new players are also excited that she is joining the organization.

“I am excited to have Pauliina Miettinen as our new head coach,” team captain Christie Rampone said in the release. “She is a wonderful person and comes highly recommended from many successful people in the women’s game.”

Created in 2007, the WPS recently completed its inaugural season of competition in 2009. Sky Blue FC defeated the Los Angeles Sol, 1-0, back on Aug. 22 in the league’s inaugural championship match. The league is comprised of nine teams across the country, and its regular season runs from early-April to early-August.