Loretta Soria enters her first season as an assistant coach with Chicago State women’s basketball in 2013-14 after spending the previous five seasons as an associate head coach at Indiana University Northwest.

During her five seasons with Indiana University Northwest, Soria assisted with game strategies, scouting, skill improvement of her players and travel arrangements for road trips. She also developed the team’s strength and conditioning program and supervised the academic achievement of her players.

Prior to her time at the NAIA school, the former Chicago State Cougar (2000-04) was an assistant coach at Calumet College before being promoted to head coach. She was also an academic counselor and Compliance Coordinator for Athletics while at Calumet.

Before she made the jump into coaching, Soria (Ellul) was a standout at Chicago State University. She ranks second all-time in Cougars’ Division I history for three-point field goal percentage (.346) and third in three-pointers made (157). In her senior season (2003-04), Soria set the single season Chicago State Division I record, shooting .461 from beyond the arc.

Her playing career continued after Chicago State, where she played for the Malta National Team. Her Malta team won the European Olympic Gold Medal (June 2009) and the FIBA European Division C Championship (July 2008).  She also made the European All-Star Five Selection at the Division C Championships.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Soria received her degree in physical education at Chicago State and a degree in elementary education from Calumet College.