Chrissy Nelson enters her third year as the assistant coach for the Idaho State Bengals after a stellar three-year playing career in which she set several school records as a goalkeeper.
Nelson handles all aspect of coaching with the Bengals, including working with the goalkeepers, practice planning, training, conditioning, and travel preparations.
During her time as assistant coach Nelson has helped the Bengals to three Big Sky Tournament appearances, including two Big Sky Tournament titles and one Big Sky regular season title. ISU has also advanced to the NCAA College Cup each of the last two seasons.
Also during that time goalkeeper Shannon Boyle has emerged as one of the top stoppers in the Big Sky Conference. She had a school record eight shutouts during the 2002 season in which she was named All-Big Conference and was the Big Sky Conference Tournament MVP after shutting out Portland State in the Championship game.
Nelson played for Idaho State from 1998-2000, and she was the team's primary goalkeeper all three seasons, including the only goalkeeper in the inaugural season. Nelson still holds single season ISU records for goals against average (0.93 in 2000), and saves (132 in 1998). Nelson also owns career records for minutes played (4,285), wins (15, tied with Holly Emery and Boyle) and saves (280).
Nelson also ranks 12th all-time in games played (52) and 10th in games started (46). In 2000, she came out of the nets and onto the field after ISUwas trailing at the half to Gonzaga 2-0, and she netted the winning goal in a stirring 3-2 victory for her only career tally.
The native of Calgary, Canada, graduated from Idaho State in 2001 with a degree in sociology. She is single and resides in Pocatello.
