Cori Callahan

Cori (Alexander) Callahan is entering her 11th season with the Bears in 2021. Since joining the women's soccer program in 2011, she has been an instrumental force, serving first as a volunteer assistant and most recently as the team's first assistant and goalkeeper coach. Callahan - who has earned her USSF "B" license - boasts more than 20 years of experience as a goalkeeper on the collegiate and professional level, and more than a decade as a goalkeeper coach.

Callahan's influence has showed dividends, as three of the starting keepers she has worked with at Cal - Emily Kruger ’13, Emily Boyd ’17 and Angelina Anderson '22 – helped rewrite the Bears’ record books. Anderson was named the 2019 Pac-12 Goalkeeper and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, while collecting Second Team All-America honors and tying Cal's freshman shutout record. Boyd ended her collegiate career as Cal’s all-time leader in both shutouts (36) and saves (294), while tying Cal’s single-season shutout mark (11) on two occasions. Kruger stands second on Cal’s all-time saves list and fourth in career shutouts.

Despite a truncated, conference-only schedule played in the spring of 2021, the 2020 season saw the Bears continue their defensive excellence of the past few years. Anderson was one of three named to the All-Pac-12 Team as she earned second team honors after tallying four shutouts and 68 saves in 13 matches.

The Golden Bears got off to an historic start to the 2019 season, winning their first eight matches of the year and quickly established themselves as one of the top defenses in the nation. Cal was the last team in Division I soccer to allow a goal in 2019 and recorded six consecutive shutouts to start the season, tied for the second-longest shutout streak in program history and the program’s longest shutout streak to begin a season. Cal went on to post an overall record of 13-5-3 on the year, including a 5-3-3 mark in Pac-12 play and Top-10 wins over No. 4 USC (3-0 on October 18) and No. 7 UCLA (2-1 on September 27). Four players earned All-Pac-12 recognition at the conclusion of the 2019 season, headlined by Anderson, who was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year, becoming the first player in conference history to collect both honors in the same season. Anderson finished the season with nine solos shutouts and 86 saves, the second-highest single-season total in program history.

The 2017 season saw Cal’s defense rank among the best in the nation, finishing the season with 10 shutouts and a team goals against average of 0.54. Boyd became the first player in program history to earn Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year honors and was also recognized as a Second Team All-American. Boyd went on to be selected by the Chicago Red Stars as the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NWSL Draft.

Under Callahan’s direction, Boyd amassed a total of 36 shutouts during her four years in Berkeley, the most ever by a Golden Bear and third overall in Pac-12 women’s soccer history. A three-time All-Pac-12 honoree, Boyd posted a career save percentage of 0.818 and a goals against average of 0.76, while also collecting numerous conference and national Player of the Week honors over her four years. Boyd’s collegiate success spurred call-ins to Under-20 and Under-23 camp with the United States Women’s National Team.

Prior to Boyd’s arrival, Callahan spent three seasons coaching Kruger, who ended her decorated career with 20 career shutouts and as the Bears’ then career saves leader. Under Callahan’s direction, Kruger helped the Bears continue their streak of consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Kruger was a three-time All-Pac-12 honoree for the Golden Bears while also earning CoSIDA Academic All-District recognition. Kruger spent time as a reserve for Portland Thorns FC.

Callahan came to Berkeley by way of University of San Diego, where she served as an assistant coach for the 2010 season with the Toreros. Prior to that, she played professionally in the WPS for Sky Blue FC. She was the seventh overall draft pick in 2008 and was part of the inaugural WPS Championship in 2009.

With experience playing for the U.S. Women’s National Under-21 and Under-23 teams as well as attending camp with the full senior squad, Callahan’s international experience has proved instrumental to the Cal program, which has produced countless national team players.

Callahan lettered at Portland from 2003-06, garnering All-America status, All-Academic honors as well as placement on the West Coast Conference first team. She led the Pilots to an NCAA National Championship in 2005, when she earned NCAA Tournament Defensive MVP distinction. UP's career leader in saves and shutouts, Callahan was the team MVP her senior season.

Just before joining the Cal staff, Callahan volunteered her time to be a part of the Indonesia America Soccer Exchange, coaching more than 300 Indonesian girls and disabled youth as an ambassador to the United States. The federally funded trip aided in improving relations between the two countries as well as removing stereotypes, judgments and barriers through the game of soccer. Callahan, along with her fellow volunteers, helped build community, and brought together various faiths and economic levels all the while empowering youth and women through sport and educating local coaches.

A native of nearby Martinez, California, Callahan has coached for the Mustang and Walnut Creek Soccer Clubs. From 2009-10, she also served as an assistant coach at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, Calif. While living in Portland, Callahan coached FC Portland from 2003-09, serving as director of goalkeeping from 2008-09.

The former Cori Alexander married Matt Callahan in May 2015. They welcomed twins Conor and Keegan in 2016 and daughter, Quinn, in 2020.