SAN ANTONIO (July 18, 2022) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women's soccer program has announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Max Cruz. He joins the Saints after working for two years as the men's soccer assistant coach at Western Texas College (WTC) in Snyder, Texas. Cruz will also work with the men's team throughout the season.

Head Coach Arthur Salazar said, "We are excited to welcome Max to the soccer program. He comes highly recommended and has a solid coaching and playing background. I look forward to working with him as we continue to move the women's program forward together."

Prior to joining the WTC staff, Cruz was the assistant coach at NCAA D2 Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo from 2018-2019. He created scouting reports, coordinated training sessions and managed travel budgets, among other duties. Cruz earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology while at TAMIU. He also had a coaching role for the Laredo Heat of the National Premier Soccer League and its youth academy during his time at TAMIU.

The Del Rio, Texas, native started his soccer coaching career at Martin High School in 2019. He created film and scouting reports, developed fitness programs, accomplished community service hours and helped manage the traveling budget. Cruz completed his coaching education through the United States Soccer Federation. He has garnered multiple coaching awards, including High School Soccer Coach of the Year and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D1 Men's Coaching Staff of the Year. Cruz played for Del Rio High School, Cloud County Community College, Laredo Community College and TAMIU before deciding to pursue a career in coaching.

"After spending three years working and learning at the junior college level, I am excited to commence this new coaching journey with great colleagues and a successful program," Cruz said. "OLLU is a challenge that I am willing to confront, and I can't wait to start working and pursuing our goals as a team."

The OLLU soccer women have won six Red River Athletic Conference championships and five tournament championships. They have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament four times. The team will begin its 15th season in August. Home games will be live streamed on the OLLU Saints Network.