Nico Arellano takes charge of Triton Women’s Soccer

LYNNWOOD – Nico Arellano is the new head coach of Edmonds College women’s soccer program.

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Arellano was a goalkeeper on championship teams at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, and at NCAA DII Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont (CA). He signed a professional contract with Real San Jose of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), playing from 2007-2010. Arellano was a two-time recipient of the NPSL National All-Star Award for goalkeeping.

Arellano has 15 years of coaching experience, starting with Real San Jose, where he served in many roles including head coach, and director of youth programs with the organization. He returned to Evergreen Valley College to coach keepers in 2009 and was the head coach at Overfelt High School (CA) in 2010 and ’11. 

He moved to Hawaii and worked with the Hawaii Rush and Hawaii Surf soccer clubs before moving to Washington. He’s coached with the Northwest Nationals, Greater Seattle Surf, Washington EPD, and Seattle United organizations. He’s been with Seattle United for the past five years and currently serves as West Region Goalkeepers Director and head coach.

Arellano was voted as the Seattle Youth Soccer Association’s (SYSA) Competitive Girls Coach of the Year in 2020.

Arellano has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chaminade University and currently works in special education at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle.

The women’s soccer season at Edmonds was canceled last fall when there were not enough players to field a team. Arellano is tasked with rebuilding the program.

“I’m excited to reboot this program. We will succeed on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” Arellano said.

“Above all, Nico is a great person. He’s a genuine guy who really cares. He’s the type you’d want your daughter to play for. It became clear he was the right fit for our department,” said Edmonds athletic director Spencer Stark. “Nico has a big challenge ahead of him and as an athletic administration we are prepared to support him.”

Arellano already has one out-of-state signee and several verbal commitments -- he's also enlisted the help of Samantha Libed, who will serve as his lead assistant. 

Libed is one of the most decorated players to ever come out of Hawaii, winning the state championship at ‘Iolani her senior year of high school. Libed was voted the State of Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year and represented the United States Women’s National Team at the U17 and U20 levels. She played for the University of Washington, earning All-West Region 1st Team before finishing her career at Santa Clara University where her team advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals and NCAA College Cup. Libed has coached at Kamehameha Schools, Mid-Pacific Institute, Hawaii Rush, Leahi Soccer Club, and Northwest Nationals after moving to Washington State.

Arellano can be reached at nico.arellano@edmonds.edu or by cell phone at 808-445-4761.