Indiana University Northwest - 2011-12 Women's Basketball Coaches

2011-12 Women's Basketball

Record: 17-10 Home: 8-5 Away: 8-5 Neutral: 1-0

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2011-12 Women's Basketball Coaches

Ryan Shelton - Head Coach - 5th Season

Ryan Shelton is in his fifth season as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Indiana University Northwest. Shelton has lead the RedHawks to three consecutive 20-win seasons, two consecutive Association of Independent Institutions Championships and back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Tournament. With that success IU Northwest has earned distinction as one of college basketball's most improved programs and a place amongst the nation's elite programs.

In 2008-2009, the RedHawks were one of college basketball's youngest and most improved teams when they set a school record for single season and consecutive victories en route to qualifying for their first ever post-season appearance and Elite Eight finish at the 2009 USCAA National Championships. The RedHawks were ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation that season by the USCAA and the successful season netted Shelton 2009 A.I.I. Conference Coach of the Year honors.

The following season in 2009-10, the RedHawks soared to new heights by winning a school record 24 games, including 11 consecutive and a No. 2 National Ranking by the USCAA. In addition, IU Northwest claimed it's first ever post-season title by winning the A.I.I. Conference Championship. That same year the RedHawks post-season run led them to the USCAA National Tournament and spot in the Final Four. The RedHawks also earned their first-ever appearance to the NAIA National Tournament. Their second straight record-setting season earned Shelton A.I.I. Coach of the Year honors for a second consecutive year.

2010-11 again solidified the RedHawks place among the nation's elite programs as they claimed their second consecutive A.I.I. Championship and bid to the NAIA National Tournament. It was their third consecutive 20-win season that included the program's first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent when they defeated #18 Bethel College 69-63 on Dec. 11, 2010.

In four seasons with Shelton as coach, the Lady RedHawks have made four national tournament appearances while his players have earned four All-American selections, three A.I.I. Conference Player of the Year selections, eight A.I.I. All-Conference selections and two NAIA Champions of Character Awards in addition to many other numerous sportsmanship and academic awards.

As a prep, Shelton played basketball locally at Merrillville High School (Merrillville, IN) and later collegiately at Savannah College of Art and Design (NCAA Div. III, Savannah, GA). He holds two degrees (B.A.'00) and (M.P.A.'05) from IU Northwest and works professionally as a Marketing and Communications Specialist at IU Northwest. He was born in Hammond, IN and currently resides in Schererville, IN with wife Kellie.

Loretta Soria - Associate Head Coach - 4th Season

Loretta Soria is in her fourth season as Associate Head Basketball Coach at IU Northwest and her seventh season overall as a women's collegiate basketball coach. The lady redhawks have enjoyed 20+ win seasons and National Tournament appearances every year since Soria's arrival. During the 2010-2011 season, Soria welcomed her son Daniel Soria Jr. on December 27^th 2010. She remained dedicated to the program and returned only 6 weeks after the birth of her son. Her presence helped guide the Lady Redhawk to a repeat A.I.I Conference title and consecutive NAIA Division II National Tournament Apperarance. During the 2009-2010 season Soria assisted Shelton and the Redhawks to a record breaking 24 wins (of which 11 where consecutive) and their first ever NAIA Conference Championship title. This gave the team an automatic berth to the NAIA National tournament where the Lady Redhawks made their first appearance in school's history. That same year, IU Northwest was ranked as high as No 2. in the National polls for the USCAA and qualified for their second consecutive National Tournament appearance where the team made their first final four appearance.

In her first year as Associate Head Coach she helped guide the Lady Redhawks to their first USCAA National Tournament appearance and a 20 win season. Her duties include on court coaching, strength and conditioning, game preparation, scouting of opponents and individual skill development. Loretta served as an assistant coach at Calumet College in Whiting, IN from 2004-2006. She was promoted to head women's basketball coach in 2006, making her one of the youngest female head coaches in NAIA history at age 24. As the head coach at Calumet College, she lead the program to their first ever win in the CCAC conference and first ever post season victory against Trinity International University.

Soria was born and raised in Melbourne Australia where she played professionally for the Coburg Giants. She played for the prestigious Bulleen Boomers Club where she won her first international gold medal winning an Australian National Title in 1994. She played collegiately at Chicago State University (NCAA Div. I, Chicago, IL) from 2000-2004. Known for her long range shooting, Soria ranks in the top 10 all-time in several career offensive categories at Chicago State finishing her career as the top 3 point and free throw shooter in the programs history. Throughout her collegiate career she competed against powerhouses Florida State, Michigan State, University of Florida, DePaul, Xavier, Auburn, Arizona State and Marquette University and was a four year starter for the lady cougars. She had career highs of 23 points against IUPUI and again vs. Eastern Illinois. As a senior, Loretta averaged 12.8 pts a contest, was the team's leading free throw shooter (82%) and lead the Summit League in 3 pt percentage shooting 46% from beyond the arc . She remains ranked top 10 all time in conference history for 3 point shooting and was a 4 time all conference academic team selection.

In 2008 Soria travelled to Luxembourg, Europe and was a gold medal winner going undeafeated in the European Basketball Championships while representing the nation of Malta, she was selected on the European All Star Five Team. In the summer of 2009, Soria was again selected to play on the Maltese Olympic team and travelled to Cyprus to compete in the XII Olympic Games for the small nations of Europe. She won her second international gold medal while representing Malta once again remaining undefeated and finished top five in scoring and 3 pt percentages in the games. She holds a B.A Elementary Education from Calumet College of St. Joseph and a B.S Physical Education from Chicago State University. Her husband Dan,is the assistant baseball coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph's, they reside with their daughter, Isabella and son Daniel Jr. in Crown Point, IN.