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University of NC - Pembroke

UNCP Athletic Department
P.O. Box 1510 or One University Drive Pembroke, NC 28372-1510
Division 2 North Carolina Southeast
Public Medium National competitor

Coaches

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Lars Andersson

Having made his mark as the only coach in the history of the UNCP women’s soccer program, Lars Andersson enters his 20th season as the coach of the Braves, compiling a 299-160-34 clip in 26 seasons as a collegiate head coach.


Currently holding a 209-124-31 record as the UNCP gaffer, Andersson has led the Black & Gold to four appearances (2008, 2010, 2017, 2019) in the NCAA postseason, including second round showings in both 2008 and 2010, as well as the 2017 Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship/ The run of success has also included final listings in the United Soccer Coaches Southeast Region rankings in 10 out of the last 15 seasons. The two-time (2003, 2016) Peach Belt Conference coach of the year has mentored three all-Americans, including an NSCAA first team selection in 2008, as well as six PBC Freshman of the Year recipients, 46 all-conference selections, 17 PBC all-tournament players, 23 all-state honorees, 21 all-region players and one Disney/NSCAA Goalkeeper of the Week. In the classroom, the Braves have produced three NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches scholar all-Americans, one CoSIDA academic all-American and a PBC female student-athlete of the year honoree, while also placing 54 players on the PBC Women's Soccer All-Academic Team.


Prior to his time in Pembroke, Andersson served as the women’s soccer head coach at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., as well as the men’s coach at Reinhardt College in Waleska, Ga. In his two-year stint at Cumberland, Andersson coached two all-Americans, a pair of all-region players, 11 all-conference players, four academic all-Americans and 16 academic all-conference recipients. On his way to 1999 Mid-South Conference coach of the year accolades, he also led the Lady Patriots to the league’s regular season title, as well as a No. 14 national ranking.


While compiling a 62-25-3 record as coach of the Reinhardt men’s team, Andersson helped guide the 1998 Eagles to a 21-1-1 record, as well as spot in the NJCAA national championship game. Having earned region and district coach of the year honors at season’s end, he was one of just four candidates for national coach of the year honors as well.


A native of Vuollerim, Sweden, as well as a former player on Vuollerim SK (1985-87), Andersson made the trek to Clarksville, Tenn., as a high school exchange student in 1987. Following the completion of his freshman year at Austin Peay State, he returned to his native land to fulfill his duties as an army ranger in the Swedish Military before returning back to the U.S. to complete his education.


Andersson graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Cumberland College in 1994 and earned his master’s degree from Union College in 1998.


Andersson and the former Carla Kehrier of Plymouth, Mich., are the proud parents of four daughters – Aspen, Isabella, Emelia and Olivia. The family currently resides in Clayton.

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Brittany Padilla

As standout defensive player for the UNC Pembroke Braves from 2009-2013, Brittany Padilla begins her fifth year on staff for the 2020-21 season and was named associated head coach in January 2020.


Padilla brings coaching experience to the Braves following stints as assistant coach for the U18 Onslow Classic Soccer Association in 2014, head coach for the U18 and U15 Onslow Classic Soccer Association in 2013 and assistant coach for Jacksonville High School in 2013.


She helped to coach the U18 Onslow Classic Soccer Association to four championships as the Charlotte Invitational, CASL Shootout, Premiere League and Disney Showcase, while also ranking first in the state with a 24-3-2 record. With the Jacksonville Cardinals, the team advanced to the third round of the NCHSAA state playoffs.


During her time as a student-athlete, Padilla amassed 5136 minutes on the field with 65 games played and 50 starts. The PBC Honor Roll honoree in 2012 and 2013 registered 10 goals, five of those game-winners, and six assists in her four years on the field including 63 shots, 32 of which (.508) were on goal. She logged all 90 minutes in both the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in 2010, was named PBC Defensive Player of the Week and assisted the UNCP defense in leading the Peach Belt Conference and ranking 12th in the nation in goals against average.


She graduated from UNC Pembroke in May of 2013 with her bachelor degree in health promotions and was awarded her master’s degree in physical education in 2017 from UNCP. She resides in Pembroke.

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