Karen Richter - Women's Soccer (1987-90) - Class of 2000
Karen Richter, the third women's soccer player to be enshrined and the second goalkeeper, was one of the most dominant figures in UCF women's soccer history leading the Knights as a student-athlete from 1987-90, an assistant coach from 1991-93 and head coach 1993-98.
She made a name for herself as a one of the greatest goalkeepers in school and NCAA history. A three-year starter from 1987-1990, Richter allowed just 30 goals (0.59) in 48 career games in helping her teams to a 43-13-7 record and two NCAA appearances, advancing to the Final Four in 1987 and the quarterfinals in 1988. Her 30 goals allowed, 0.59 goals against average, and 30.5 shutouts are still UCF career records.
As a senior, Richter was named the 1990 ISAA Goalkeeper of the Year, the NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year and was a finalist for the Hermann Award. In 1989 she was named to the Soccer America MVP team and the Adidas scholar-athlete team in 1989 and 1990. Richter graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in psychology, a 3.7 grade point average, and was a finalist as a senior for the prestigious Honda Award.
She led the program to two NCAA tournament appearances as a player, including a trip to the Final Four in 1987, five Trans America Athletic Conference titles and a trip to the 1998 NCAA Tournament as a coach.
As a player, Richter set the school record for lowest career goals-against average (.59), lowest single-season goals-against average (.25) and career shutouts (30.5). As a junior she led the team to an 11-1-2 record and allowed only four goals in 14 games.
As UCF's coach, Richter posted a 64-44-9 record at UCF, winning five TAAC titles including four in a row from 1993-96. In her final season at UCF, Richter guided the squad to a 12-8 mark en route to the school's first NCAA Tournament berth since 1991. For her efforts, Richter was named TAAC Coach of the Year.
Richter left UCF after 12 years to run the women's soccer program at Auburn. The 2006 season marked her eighth year with the Tigers in a career that has been highlighted by four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (2001-04), four straight SEC West Titles (2001-04), recruiting classes annually ranked amongst the nation's best and 2002 SEC Coach of the Year honors.
She also serves as the U.S. Women's National Team Youth Goalkeeper Coordinator and has served as the goalkeeper coach for the U.S. Under-19 National Team during their entire two-year run to the 2002 FIFA Under-19 Women's World Championship. She has also served as an assistant coach for the U-16 and U-18 U.S. National teams.
Richter has also been very involved in the Olympic Development Program and various youth soccer programs. She has spent time with the USYSA National Teams, including preparing youth goalkeepers for international competition and assisting the team during the international events in Orlando, Fla. from 1999 to 2001, Richter was also the head goalkeeper coach and regional staff coach for the U.S. Region II ODP.
A holder of a USSF "A" coaching license, she served on the coaching staff of the Florida Youth Soccer Association from 1990 to 1999. In 1997, she was the head coach of the Florida Women's State Select team that won the Southern Regional.
A three-sport standout at Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Ill., Richter earned All-America soccer honors. She was also a member of the Olympic Festival's North squad in both 1987 and 1990.
In 1997, Richter returned to the field as a member of the Tampa Bay Extreme, a member of the USISL W-League, playing two seasons before retiring from pro soccer.