Lower Columbia College has hired a new head women’s soccer coach. Accomplished former player and successful coach Steven Evans will take over the LCC program for the 2025 season.
Born in Portland, Evans was an all-state player for Portland's Central Catholic High School, where he helped guide the Rams to the 2007 6A State Championship. As a member of Eastside United FC, his team won the USA Youth Soccer U-18 national championship in 2010. Evans joined the University of Portland, where he played for three seasons. While with the Pilots, Evans earned the 2010 WCC Freshman of the Year award in his first year, All-West Coast Conference selection in all three seasons, and All-WCC First Team in his final two years. In his final season with the Pilots, Evans scored a career-best 14 goals, which was ranked 8th amongst the NCAA.
During the summer months, Evans played for the Portland Timbers U23s in the USL Premier Development League. While with the Timbers U23s, Evans assisted on the game-winning goal in the final match as the Timbers won the championship match to cap an unbeaten season.
On January 8, 2013, it was officially announced that the Portland Timbers had signed Evans on a homegrown player contract. On December 8, 2014, Evans's option was declined for 2015, and he signed a contract with Portland Timbers 2, the Timbers' USL Pro club.
After 2015, Evans retired from playing and returned to the University of Portland as an assistant coach. He has since become a youth soccer coach for Westside Metros FC in the Portland area. As the head coach of Ridgefield High School, Evans led the Spudders to back-to-back State 2A girls’ soccer championships the past two seasons.
“We are thrilled to have such an outstanding coach join our Red Devil family,” said LCC Athletic Director Kirc Roland. “Steven did a great job at Ridgefield and will do a great job for LCC.”
Evans takes over for Joe Chicks, who left Lower Columbia to become the head coach at Mount Marty University, an NAIA school in Yankton, South Dakota.
“I’m ready to take the next step in my coaching journey, and I’m excited to join such a successful program at Lower Columbia,” said Evans. “I hope to hit the ground running and continue the success at LCC.”