Search

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University Athletics
 502 E. Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 992580066
Division 1 Washington Northwest
Private Small National competitor
I'm interested in this program!

Coaches

Email coach

Aaron Lewis

Aaron Lewis is entering his third season as head coach for the Gonzaga men's soccer team in the 2023 season.


After being the named the head coach for the 2021 season, Gonzaga Director of Athletics Chris Standiford announced that Aaron Lewis has been retained as head coach of the men's soccer team.


"It's an amazing blessing to know that there is a long-term opportunity here for me to lead at Gonzaga. There is literally no place I'd rather be," Lewis said. "I would like to sincerely thank Chris Standiford and Shannon Strahl for entrusting me with this program. Their support and leadership through my interim season was critical to the momentum that we built this fall. I'd also like to thank the coaching staff for consistently using their talents so well for the benefit of our guys, and the entire player group for buying in to our vision from day one. We're just getting started."


Lewis moved into the head coaching role at Gonzaga on April 21, 2021. He was named an assistant coach on the Bulldog staff heading into the 2019 season. Lewis came to GU after six seasons as the men's soccer head coach at Corban University.


"We are excited for the future of Gonzaga men's soccer under Aaron's leadership," Standiford said. "His enthusiasm for his staff and players, along with his passion for the game, contributed to the momentum this fall. We look forward to continued improvement."


During his first year at the helm, the men's soccer team was one of the most improved teams in the country, finishing the season at 7-10 and 2-5 in West Coast Conference play. This was the first season that the Zags won seven games in a season since 2016.


In the 2021 season, the Bulldogs went on a four-game winning streak, that included three shutouts and a come-from-behind 3-2 win over California Baptist. Another impressive win for GU was a 1-0 victory against the University of Denver, a team that was receiving votes in the poll and eventually went on to win its conference. In WCC play, Gonzaga won its first opening game against San Diego on the road, marking the first conference opening win for the Bulldogs since 2015.


Following the 2021 season, the team had three student-athletes earn All-West Coast Conference honors. Junior Demitrius Kigeya and senior Frankie Ljucovic both earned Second Team All-WCC, while freshman Caleb Kiner was named to the All-Conference Freshman Team.


During his six seasons at Corban, Lewis led his squad to six straight appearances in the NAIA Championships, three Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament titles and two CCC regular-season championships. In both 2016 and 2018, Corban won its national tournament opening-round match and advanced to the NAIA Championships final site. Also during that time, Lewis spent three full seasons leading the Portland Timbers U23 squad and won a Northwest Division championship in 2017. With the Timbers, he coached numerous players that went on to sign professional contracts, including the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, Siad Haji.


Prior to coaching at Corban, Lewis worked for the Portland Timbers organization from 2010-2013. Lewis' main role was directing the Timbers U-23s program, helping it become one of the elite PDL programs in the country. Seven players from the Timbers U-23s program entered Major League Soccer camps during the 2013 offseason alone. Lewis also coached at Portland Christian High School, where he led the program to the 2008 state title.


Lewis, who also played collegiately at Corban, was inducted as part of the first-ever Warrior Hall of Fame Class in 2010. During his time at Corban (Western Baptist), he helped the program secure four-straight CCC Titles in 1995-1998 and was named the CCC Player of the Year in both 1996 and 1998. Lewis also earned three All-CCC 1st Team honors (1995, 1996, & 1998), while helping lead the Warriors to the 1996 National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship. Lewis was the first player in program and NAIA history, to be drafted into Major League Soccer when the Dallas Burn (FC Dallas) selected him with the 35th overall selection in the 1999 College Draft. After his time in Dallas, Lewis played professionally indoors for the Portland Pythons of the World Indoor Soccer League.

show more
Email coach

Christo Michaelson

Gonzaga men's soccer Head Coach Aaron Lewis announced the addition of Christo Michaelson as an assistant coach on July 20, 2021.


Michaelson was a standout for the Zags as a player from 2014 to 2017. He scored 10 goals and notched four assists in his four years with GU, while making nearly 60 appearances in the midfield. Michaelson was a 2017 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Div. I Men's All-Far West Region Third Team recipient, along with being named All-West Coast Conference Second Team. Christo led the team his senior year in goals with four.


Michaelson played for Lewis on the Portland Timbers U-23s (USL 2) during his college years, and then signed a professional contract for Reno FC (USL Championship) after his time at Gonzaga.


As a Coach, Michaelson helped lead Jesuit HS (Portland) to an OSAA Championship in 2018, and Corban University to a Cascade Conference title this spring. Christo has also been very involved in the club scene in Oregon, primarily working with Oregon Premier.

show more

College Bound Athletes

Showcase Tips

Are you ready for your next college showcase?
The site was a great resource to sort colleges by my selection criteria, connect with coaches and be a repository for all of my communications. Overall, the best site that I used in my college soccer search.
- Kiera LoftusWhat are others saying?