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Jon Sandoval
Jon Sandoval was named the sixth head coach in women's soccer program history in February 2020 after serving as the men's assistant coach since 2018.
In the 2022 season, Sandoval coached the Wildcats to a 13-4-5 record, posting the second-most wins in program history. The Wildcats defeated the Parkside Rangers in the GLIAC Quarterfinals and the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals in the GLIAC Semifinals and appeared in the second GLIAC Championship game in the last three years. The Wildcats also made an NCAA Tournament appearance, the second in program history and the first since 2010. Sandoval coached six Wildcats to GLIAC honors, including the Freshman of the Year Molly Pistorius, two First-Team All-GLIAC selections, three Second-Team All-GLIAC honorees, and one honorable mention. Under Sandoval, Brooke Pietila and Isabelle Brusilow made first and second team D2CCA Midwest All-Region Teams, along with Pietila, Brusilow, and Molly Pistorius earning United Soccer Coached All-Region Team accolades. The team excelled in the classroom, with 21 total student-athletes earning spots on the 2022-23 GLIAC All-Academic Team.
In 2021, Sandoval's Wildcats finished 11-8-1 overall and advanced to the GLIAC semifinals. Northern defeated rival Michigan Tech 2-0 in the regular season finale in Marquette and proceeded to once again defeat the Huskies 2-1 at Michigan Tech two days later to open up the GLIAC Tournament. Sandoval guided Caroline Halonen, who earned First Team All-Region, All-GLIAC, and All-Tournament honors as well as Isabela Cardoso, who claimed Second Team All-Region, All-GLIAC Honarable Mention, and All-Tournament honors.
In 2020-21, his first full season as head coach, Sandoval led his team to an 8-3-1 overall record, the best for the program since 2011. The Wildcats advanced to the GLIAC Tournament Championship match for the first time in program history. Sandoval also coached junior Caroline Halonen to the 2020-21 GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year award and an All-GLIAC First Team appearance while another student-athlete was named All-GLIAC Honorable Mention.
Over the past two seasons with the Wildcat men's program, Sandoval was an integral part of the young team's development. This past season he helped coach the Wildcat men to their highest victory total in a single season, eight, including seven conference wins, and saw freshman Ryan Palmbaum earn Rookie of the Year honors from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
"Jon is a genuine, thoughtful, and organized person and his many qualities showed throughout the search process," said Northern Michigan Director of Athletics Forrest Karr. "Jon prioritizes academics and helping student-athletes perform to their highest level. We have been fortunate to witness his exceptional work ethic and positive influence on others over the last two seasons. Jon has the right plan to move our women's soccer program forward."
Prior to NMU, he served as an assistant coach at St. Ambrose University where he helped guide the Fighting Bees to a berth in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinals (2016). He was also the Head Boys Soccer Coach at Davenport West High School in Davenport, Iowa. There he led the team to their first high school tournament win as well as winning the NS Tournament Invite title, a first for West High.
A 2012 graduate of Western Illinois University, Sandoval spent three seasons on staff at his alma mater as both an assistant coach and director of operations. As a student-athlete for four years with the Fighting Leathernecks, he helped guide Western Illinois to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Serving as team captain in his senior season, Sandoval led the team in points and was also the recipient of an award given annually to the player who exhibits a strong work ethic and character.
Following graduation, he also spent four years in the NPSL with the Quad City Eagles.
Sandoval earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2012 before attaining two master's degrees from Western Illinois University (M.A.) and St. Ambrose University (M.B.A.). He is a native of East Moline, Ill.
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