Linus Rhode, who begins his 10th year with the Oregon State women's soccer program, enters his second year as the head coach of the Beavers. In his first season at the helm of the program, a win over nationally-ranked Washington State highlighted the 2008 campaign as a young Oregon State team used strong defensive efforts to nearly pull off a number of upsets against ranked opponents. During the year, Oregon State proved to be a tough team to score upon as the Beavers posted a goals against average of 1.26. The Beavers posted three shutouts on the year as opponents managed only 11 shots per game against the Oregon State defense. Prior to taking over the program as head coach, Rhode served eight seasons as an assistant and associate head coach with the Beavers. During his time as an assistant and associate head coach, Rhode helped lead Oregon State to its best finish in the Pac-10 Conference (2003) since 1995, a top 20 national ranking (2005), wins over numerous top 10 programs and 32 shutouts including a school record of nine in 2004. A number of student-athletes have received individual honors during his tenure at Oregon State as players have earned 15 all-conference and 63 academic all-conference honors under his guidance, including Jodie Taylor, who was a four-time all-conference and all-region selection. In addition, student-athletes have excelled academically as the team has consistently ranked among the best in the conference in GPA and has seen numerous players earn ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. Prior to joining the Oregon State staff, Rhode spent two years as head coach of the McKenzie United Soccer Academy in Eugene. He has also served five years as the Oregon Olympic Development Team head coach, in addition to being a Region IV staff coach for both the boy's and girl's ODP programs. Rhode played professionally for the New Orleans River Boat Gamblers in the "A" League and for Wynberg St. John's in South Africa. He was a member of the Canadian Olympic Team from 1993-96, and was selected for the Canadian National U-20 Team. Rhode, 34, graduated from the University of Portland with a bachelor's degree in organizational communications. He captained Portland to the NCAA Division I Final Four in 1995. Originally from British Columbia, Rhode graduated from Centennial High in Coquitlam. He and his wife, Magda, have one daughter, Nina. |
 
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