Van Dyke Taps Brandt, Pitalo As Assistant Coaches
April 09, 2026 | Women's Soccer
SEATTLE – University of Washington women's soccer head coach Nicole Van Dyke has announced the addition of Paige Brandt and Whitney Pitalo as assistant coaches, joining the Husky staff ahead of the spring season.
Brandt will serve as Washington's goalkeeper coach, moving to Montlake after one season in the same role at Oregon State. Meanwhile, Pitalo brings nearly a decade of coaching experience to the Emerald City, leading Cal State Bakersfield as head coach in 2025.
"After a long and thoughtful search, we found two outstanding coaches who truly embody the values of our program," Van Dyke said. "Whitney and Paige are great people, great coaches, and strong relationship builders who care deeply about the development of our student-athletes. They bring years of experience at the highest levels of college soccer and are fully committed to helping us develop the best and brightest at Washington."
In her lone season in Corvallis, Brandt guided senior keeper Mya Sanchez to All-WCC Honorable Mention status in 2025, with Sanchez posting 101 saves, second most in the WCC, and a .721 save percentage.
Prior to OSU, Brandt spent three seasons at Westcliff University in Irvine, California, designing and leading goalkeeper training sessions for the Warriors, helping guide the program to its first two appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.
"Paige is a great addition to our program," Van Dyke said. "She brings energy, a true passion for the game, and experience at all levels. She is committed to developing both players and people. While her specialty lies in goalkeeping, she will be involved in all facets of the program. She is passionate about empowering women and brings that purpose into everything she does."
Under Brandt's direction, Westcliff keeper Kayli Cokley led all of NAIA in 2024 with a paltry 0.14 goals against average, ranking second nationally in save percentage at .938. The Warriors won the Cal Pac Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships, advancing to the Second Round of the NAIA National Tournament, Westcliff's second conference tournament championship in three seasons.
During her time in Irvine, Brandt also coached Kiara Fontanilla, who played alongside former Husky Jessika Cowart with the Philippines National Team at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
While at Westcliff, Brandt also worked with the men's and women's goalkeepers at Long Beach City College. Under her guidance, Abraham Ramirez was named South Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and MVP after posting 0.77 goals against average, leading his team to its first-ever Final Four Appearance. With the women's team, Jackie Garibay allowed an average of just 0.63 goals per game, also earning South Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors.
As an athlete, Brandt played for four seasons at Colorado State, which included a standout junior season that featured 51 saves in 14 appearances, ranking fifth in the Mountain West for saves during conference play. A graduate of South Torrance High School, Brandt captained her team to a CIF Championship and regional tournament appearance, earning First Team All-CIF and Athlete of the Year honors.
"I am so excited to join the University of Washington soccer program and work alongside an incredible staff," Brandt said. "I am grateful to Nicole for her trust and the opportunity to coach this group of exceptional women. To work with the goalkeepers is incredibly special with Washington's long tradition of developing fearless, resilient and elite goalkeepers. I look forward to continuing that standard as we compete for championships. Go Dawgs!"
In her lone season at the helm at CSU Bakersfield, Pitalo led the Roadrunners to one of the most successful campaigns in the program's Division I era, setting multiple program records.
"Whitney is a wonderful addition to our program," Van Dyke said. "She comes highly experienced as both a head and assistant coach, with strong Pacific Northwest roots and experience at the Power 4 level. Her experience and background will pay immediate dividends for our program. She is hard-working, an elite recruiter and a strong on-field communicator who will make a meaningful impact in leading and developing our women."
CSUB recorded the fewest goals allowed in a season (19), achieved its most conference wins and points, and posted its best goal differential (+7). The team also matched the longest unbeaten streak in program history (5 matches), saw 12 different players record points, and placed six student-athletes on the All-Conference team. The season marked the program's highest conference win total in 25 years and the most in the DI era.
Prior to taking over at CSUB, Pitalo spent one season apiece on Chris Watkins' staff at Boston College and Gonzaga. At BC, Pitalo helped guide the Eagles to a 12-5-2 record, the program's strongest ACC finish since 2018.
The previous year, Pitalo was a part of Gonzaga's United Soccer Coaches West Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023 as the Bulldogs captured the program's first WCC Championship and NCAA Tournament bid.
Pitalo moved to Spokane after one season as head coach at NAIA program Corban in 2022. Under Pitalo, the Warriors posted an 11-4-3 record, establishing single-season school records for fewest goals allowed (12), fewest losses (4), and most shutouts (12).
Earlier in her career, Pitalo launched the women's soccer program at Umpqua Community College, guiding the team to a third-place finish in the NWAC Southern Region and developing five NWAC All-Stars in the program's inaugural season. At West Salem High School, she led her team to a state semifinal appearance and was named OSAA 6A Coach of the Year.
A former standout at USC, Pitalo competed for the Trojans from 2012-2016. She earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2014 and appeared in 19 matches that season, starting the final 10 as USC returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Washington and be a part of a program with such a strong tradition and commitment to excellence," Pitalo said. "I want to thank Nicole for her leadership and for the trust she's placed in me to serve this team, along with everyone who has supported me along the way, especially the players and staff I've had the privilege to work with. I'm excited to get to work, build relationships, and pursue championships with this amazing group of student-athletes, administrators and staff. UW is truly a special place to be. Go Dawgs!"
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_WSoccer on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
Brandt will serve as Washington's goalkeeper coach, moving to Montlake after one season in the same role at Oregon State. Meanwhile, Pitalo brings nearly a decade of coaching experience to the Emerald City, leading Cal State Bakersfield as head coach in 2025.
"After a long and thoughtful search, we found two outstanding coaches who truly embody the values of our program," Van Dyke said. "Whitney and Paige are great people, great coaches, and strong relationship builders who care deeply about the development of our student-athletes. They bring years of experience at the highest levels of college soccer and are fully committed to helping us develop the best and brightest at Washington."
In her lone season in Corvallis, Brandt guided senior keeper Mya Sanchez to All-WCC Honorable Mention status in 2025, with Sanchez posting 101 saves, second most in the WCC, and a .721 save percentage.
Prior to OSU, Brandt spent three seasons at Westcliff University in Irvine, California, designing and leading goalkeeper training sessions for the Warriors, helping guide the program to its first two appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.
"Paige is a great addition to our program," Van Dyke said. "She brings energy, a true passion for the game, and experience at all levels. She is committed to developing both players and people. While her specialty lies in goalkeeping, she will be involved in all facets of the program. She is passionate about empowering women and brings that purpose into everything she does."
Under Brandt's direction, Westcliff keeper Kayli Cokley led all of NAIA in 2024 with a paltry 0.14 goals against average, ranking second nationally in save percentage at .938. The Warriors won the Cal Pac Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships, advancing to the Second Round of the NAIA National Tournament, Westcliff's second conference tournament championship in three seasons.
During her time in Irvine, Brandt also coached Kiara Fontanilla, who played alongside former Husky Jessika Cowart with the Philippines National Team at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
While at Westcliff, Brandt also worked with the men's and women's goalkeepers at Long Beach City College. Under her guidance, Abraham Ramirez was named South Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and MVP after posting 0.77 goals against average, leading his team to its first-ever Final Four Appearance. With the women's team, Jackie Garibay allowed an average of just 0.63 goals per game, also earning South Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors.
As an athlete, Brandt played for four seasons at Colorado State, which included a standout junior season that featured 51 saves in 14 appearances, ranking fifth in the Mountain West for saves during conference play. A graduate of South Torrance High School, Brandt captained her team to a CIF Championship and regional tournament appearance, earning First Team All-CIF and Athlete of the Year honors.
"I am so excited to join the University of Washington soccer program and work alongside an incredible staff," Brandt said. "I am grateful to Nicole for her trust and the opportunity to coach this group of exceptional women. To work with the goalkeepers is incredibly special with Washington's long tradition of developing fearless, resilient and elite goalkeepers. I look forward to continuing that standard as we compete for championships. Go Dawgs!"
In her lone season at the helm at CSU Bakersfield, Pitalo led the Roadrunners to one of the most successful campaigns in the program's Division I era, setting multiple program records.
"Whitney is a wonderful addition to our program," Van Dyke said. "She comes highly experienced as both a head and assistant coach, with strong Pacific Northwest roots and experience at the Power 4 level. Her experience and background will pay immediate dividends for our program. She is hard-working, an elite recruiter and a strong on-field communicator who will make a meaningful impact in leading and developing our women."
CSUB recorded the fewest goals allowed in a season (19), achieved its most conference wins and points, and posted its best goal differential (+7). The team also matched the longest unbeaten streak in program history (5 matches), saw 12 different players record points, and placed six student-athletes on the All-Conference team. The season marked the program's highest conference win total in 25 years and the most in the DI era.
Prior to taking over at CSUB, Pitalo spent one season apiece on Chris Watkins' staff at Boston College and Gonzaga. At BC, Pitalo helped guide the Eagles to a 12-5-2 record, the program's strongest ACC finish since 2018.
The previous year, Pitalo was a part of Gonzaga's United Soccer Coaches West Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023 as the Bulldogs captured the program's first WCC Championship and NCAA Tournament bid.
Pitalo moved to Spokane after one season as head coach at NAIA program Corban in 2022. Under Pitalo, the Warriors posted an 11-4-3 record, establishing single-season school records for fewest goals allowed (12), fewest losses (4), and most shutouts (12).
Earlier in her career, Pitalo launched the women's soccer program at Umpqua Community College, guiding the team to a third-place finish in the NWAC Southern Region and developing five NWAC All-Stars in the program's inaugural season. At West Salem High School, she led her team to a state semifinal appearance and was named OSAA 6A Coach of the Year.
A former standout at USC, Pitalo competed for the Trojans from 2012-2016. She earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2014 and appeared in 19 matches that season, starting the final 10 as USC returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Washington and be a part of a program with such a strong tradition and commitment to excellence," Pitalo said. "I want to thank Nicole for her leadership and for the trust she's placed in me to serve this team, along with everyone who has supported me along the way, especially the players and staff I've had the privilege to work with. I'm excited to get to work, build relationships, and pursue championships with this amazing group of student-athletes, administrators and staff. UW is truly a special place to be. Go Dawgs!"
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_WSoccer on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
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