Lindsey Vanderspiegel knows plenty about winning.
    She was recently named the new head coach of the Georgia Southern women’s soccer program, but before that, she was winning in the northeast as a player and coach.
    Vanderspiegel played her college ball at William and Mary, claiming the Colonial Athletic Association player of the Year in 2002, Tournament MVP in 2001 and Rookie of the Year in 2000.
    She spent the last four years as an assistant coach in the league, helping Hofstra to a 58-21-3 record, a regular-season title and 11-0 league record in 2010 and a tournament title in 2007.
    Hofstra advanced out of the first round of the NCAA tournament in both seasons.
    “It was a tough decision to leave because it was such a good situation up there,” said Vanderspiegel taking her first head coaching job at GSU and leaving Hofstra. “We were a winning program, I got along very well with my boss and I was able to have a hands-on approach with everything we did from recruiting to practice sessions, training and games. It was a good situation, but I really couldn’t turn down this opportunity — the resources and the campus in general here at Georgia Southern — it was just something I was ready for.”
    Vanderspiegel plans on bringing her winning ways not only to the Lady Eagles, but also to the community.
    “It’s certainly a growing soccer community here in Statesboro and in the region,” she said. What we want to do is to keep the kids here that are quality soccer players, that can play at this level.”
    Georgia Southern will host a residential camp beginning July 17 and a day camp beginning July 18.
    The day camp will serve boys and girls ages five through 13.
    The residential camp, which includes the option of staying on campus overnight, is for high-school girls interested in learning about playing at the next level.
    “The focus there is technical as well, but it’s also tactically based — small-sided games and full-sided games,” said Vanderspiegel. “It will also give them the opportunity, if they do decide to remain on campus for those few days, to experience what it’s like to be a Division-I soccer player.”
    The overnight camp includes a stay in GSU dorms, three training sessions per day and on-campus meals.
    Vanderspiegel inherits a GSU team which finished 5-12-1 (2-8-1 Southern Conference).
    “Women’s soccer is a sport that starts recruiting years in advance,” she said. “Right now I’m finishing up my 2012 class. They’re not going to be on my doorstep for another year and a half. We have to be patient, and we have to build it our own way.”

    Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.