Maite Zabala joined the women’s soccer staff as an assistant coach in January of 2018. Zabala, a standout collegiate and professional goalkeeper, came to The Bluff with 16 years of coaching experience and she spent the previous three years at Boise State.

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to bring a coach on staff with the playing and coaching experience of Maite,” French said. “Her knowledge of the collegiate landscape, and her tactical understanding of not only the goalkeeper position but the game in general, will be a huge benefit to the program. Maite’s overall character is first-class, and I know the entire community at the University of Portland will love her!”

“I want to thank coach French and the University of Portland for the giving me the chance to be a part of a staff of such a historically important program in women's collegiate soccer,” said Zabala. “I am humbled by the opportunity and look forward to working in collaboration with the rest of the staff, in investing time and effort, in bringing coach French's vision to fruition here at Portland.”

With the Broncos, Zabala oversaw the development of Boise State's netminders and defense, helping the team post a league-best goals-against average of 0.95 last season. The Broncos posted their best winning percentage ever last fall going 13-6-3 overall, while claiming six shutouts. In 2016, Zabala guided keeper Janelle Flores to first-team all-conference honors, the first such accolade in program history. Flores also collected a school-record 18 shutouts during her career.

Prior to her stint at Boise State, Zabala spent eight seasons at San Francisco, first joining the staff as an assistant coach in 2007 before being elevated to associate head coach in 2011. Zabala assisted with every aspect of the USF program, which included overseeing goalkeeping training, development and talent identification. The Dons increased their number of shutouts during each of Zabala’s final five seasons on The Hilltop, and goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel earned a pair of All-WCC honors with Zabala on the staff. Schiffel would go on to graduate as one of the top goalkeepers in USF women’s soccer history, and she was drafted by the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Draft.

Previously Zabala was an assistant coach at California-Berkeley, her alma mater, for three seasons (2004-07), and was a volunteer assistant for two seasons (2001-03) before that. During her tenure in Berkeley, Zabala mentored goalkeeper Ashley Sulprizio, who ranked ninth among 2005 Division I leaders in goals-against average at 0.47, which was the second-best mark in school history. Zabala also worked with Anna Key, who posted a 0.75 GAA with seven shutouts. Key earned the 2006 Wooden Cup, presented to one intercollegiate athlete and one professional athlete who best display character, teamwork, and citizenship.

As a student-athlete at Cal from 1997-2000, Zabala emerged as the Bears’ all-time leader for career shutouts (26.5) and career saves (277). Zabala finished the 2000 season with the 10th best goals-against average among Division I leaders at 0.64, while boasting 9.5 shutouts. She recorded a 0.90 career GAA in 6,295 minutes of action.

Zabala garnered four All-Pac-10 honors, including first-team recognition as a sophomore and junior, and received the Bears’ team MVP award during her final two campaigns. She led the Bears to three NCAA Tournament berths (1998, '99 and '00), the program's only Pac-10 title in 1998, and a school-record 17 wins in 2000.

She was inducted into the Cal athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

Following her collegiate career, Zabala was a first-round pick in the Women's United Soccer Association by the Atlanta Beat. She played professionally for four seasons, spending three in the WUSA before rounding out her career with Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Liga. During her offseasons, Zabala was a volunteer assistant coach at Cal.

A native of Boise, Idaho, Zabala earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Cal in 2001 and currently holds a USSF "A" license.