Tori Christ - Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Tori Christ

Title:
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
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Tori Christ serves as an assistant and goalkeeper coach, as well as the program's recruiting coordinator. She joined the University of Michigan women's soccer program on May 24, 2022 following a three-year stint at Boston University, a two-year stint at Cornell University and four years of playing professionally.

At Michigan, she has been instrumental in the development of the Michigan goalkeepers. In the 2023 season, senior goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week twice in September. She totaled six clean sheets, a 1.12 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .810, while leading the nation in goals prevented per 90 minutes throughout the season. Sparkowski would later go on to play for Chicago Stars FC on a roster relief contract during the 2025 NWSL season.

Christ also coached Izzy Nino in the 2022 season, guiding her to signing two professional contracts, one for the Newcastle Jets in the Australian A League and a recent contract with the Spokane Zephyr in the United States Super League.

Prior to Michigan, Christ was the goalkeeper and assistant coach at Boston University from the 2019 season to the 2021 season. At BU during the fall 2021 season, Christ helped guide a goalkeeping tandem that was top-three in the Patriot League in goals-against average (1.11) and shutouts (7), allowing more than one goal just once in league play. Gretchen Bennett was an All-Patriot League Tournament Team pick and went 7-1 on the season, totaling a 0.98 goals-against average (second in the Patriot League) and .783 save percentage across 20 games. Christ also helped freshman Celia Braun jump into the collegiate landscape and record a .735 save percentage while making 36 saves. BU captured the Patriot League Regular Season Championship in 2021 with an 11-6-3 record, advancing to the Championship Final. Braun would later go on to sign her first professional contract for FC Basel Frauen in Switzerland in 2025, making her the fourth goalkeeper under Christ's development to go play professionally.

In a shortened 2020 spring season, Christ aided Morgan Messner to earn her first All-Patriot League selection as she was named to the Second Team. Messner played every minute in net, fostering a .810 save percentage and 0.75 goals against average as the Terriers won the Patriot League North Division. With Christ's guidance, Messner is now signed with the San Diego Wave in the NWSL after spending some time with the Chicago Red Stars. In Christ's first season with the Terriers in 2019, Christ aided the goalkeeping unit to lead the Patriot League in saves per game (5.53) and saves (105).

At Cornell, under Christ's tutelage, Meghan Kennedy earned All-Ivy League honorable mention status for the second straight season after leading the league with 94 saves. It also marked the second straight season she topped the conference leaderboard in saves.

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Christ played professionally for four seasons -- two with the Boston Breakers (NWSL) in 2014 and 2025. She went overseas the next two years, aiding Västerås BK30 in Sweden to win the Widerlöv Cup in 2015 before playing one final season with Rovaniemen Palloseura in Finland in 2016.

Christ was a four year varsity student athlete at Cornell University from 2010-2014. While competing for the Big Red, Christ served as a two-time captain and was the program's first three-time winner of the Randy May Coaches' Award. The honor is given to the player who best demonstrates the spirit and dedication to Cornell soccer shown by Randy May, the first head coach of the program. She also won the Inspirational Player Award in 2014. In 2012, Christ led the Ivy League with 88 saves, which ranks 11th in Cornell's single-season record book.

Christ graduated from Cornell in 2014 with a degree in psychology. She attended high school at Nardin Academy, becoming the youngest alumni to be inducted upon graduation in the Athletics Hall of Fame when she was a part of the Class of 2021. Christ was also named a United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 in the 2021-2022 class, which highlights coaches who are leading the way in developing soccer players and enhancing the game.