Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics is pleased to announce the newest additions to its staff, Coach Gonzalo Carranza and Coach Ashley Cordeiro! Carranza and Cordeiro are the head coaches for Xavier’s upcoming men’s and women’s soccer teams, respectively.

The debut season of the Xavier University of Louisiana men’s and women’s soccer teams will launch in 2023. The Gold Nuggets (women’s) and Gold Rush (men’s) teams will both compete for honors in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

“It’s such an opportunity to start something from scratch, like good gumbo! Having the latitude and a blank canvas is historic,” stated Carranza.

Xavier University of Louisiana will field the first women’s varsity team in New Orleans since Loyola in 2006 and Tulane in 2005.

“We’re Excited to put Xavier on the map! It’s time,” said Cordeiro. “We’ve already acquired a lot of attraction [to the new teams]. It’s exciting, and I’m thankful for Xavier Staff and students to be there and trust in us to start this program from the ground up.”

Cordeiro has a proven track record, her coaching techniques leading the women’s soccer team of Pratt Community College in Kansas to a 23-5-3 (.790) record in the past two seasons and, in 2022, the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Region VI championship and a No. 14 national ranking. Coach Carranza coached the men’s soccer team of Eastern Oklahoma State College in 2022 to a 12-6-3 record, a district championship, a berth at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I nationals and a No. 19 national ranking.

“When making the transition out of many institutions, Xavier was my main university that I felt led to pursue,” said Carranza about his journey in joining Xavier’s coaching staff. “Mainly because of the honor and rich history that this university carries and the great responsibility that comes along with starting a sport at the university and here in New Orleans. It’s a memorable moment! Especially with our first recruiting class, our story as a sports department is unique!” 

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, played by over 240 million people and with an estimated five billion fans. It is referred to by many as a beautiful game, widely beloved for its ability to bring communities together in fanhood. Xavier University of Louisiana, approaching its historic centennial, lives the mantra to press forward and fear nothing by continuing to expand the avenues of growth for its students. The addition of soccer, and in turn, Carranza and Cordeiro, exemplifies the promise Xavier upholds to its students to help them forge their path and develop their talents.

“You can expect to experience players from all over; different backgrounds, some local and some domestic, and some international with various [other] backgrounds, [but] what brings us together is that we have one thing in common, which is soccer,” Carranza and Cordeiro shared in a joint statement. “This sport is bigger than us. We’re proud and excited to be another branch of representation of Xavier and its impact worldwide!”

Xavier’s push to elevate the university not just in academics, but all areas to create well-rounded, fulfilled students has led to many additions, including the newly established soccer teams. The Xavier community is excited to experience the joy that soccer will bring to the campus community and the surrounding New Orleans area.