Sohaila Akhavein wrapped up her fifth season at the helm of the Indiana University Kokomo women’s soccer program in the fall of 2025, serving as just the second head coach in program history. Entering the 2026 season, Akhavein owns a 49-35-18 overall record and a 32-9-9 mark in River States Conference play, quickly establishing IU Kokomo as one of the premier programs in the River States Conference and a consistent NAIA national contender.
IU Kokomo posted a 10-5-4 overall record and a 7-1-2 mark in River States Conference play in 2025, remaining firmly among the top teams in the league and continuing its consistent run of conference success under Akhavein.
The 2024 campaign featured a 6-9-4 overall record and a 3-3-3 conference mark as IU Kokomo navigated a competitive slate in non-conference play and within the River States Conference. Despite the record, the Cougars remained a difficult opponent throughout the season, continuing program development and competitive growth under Akhavein’s leadership.
One of the strongest seasons in program history came in 2023, as IU Kokomo finished 13-4-5 overall and went undefeated in River States Conference play at 8-0-2. The Cougars established themselves as one of the elite teams in the league, combining defensive consistency with a dominant conference performance to finish atop the RSC standings. Akhavein was named River States Conference Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year for her leadership during the season.
The 2022 season marked a breakthrough year for the program, as IU Kokomo captured the River States Conference Championship and posted a 14-3-3 overall record with an 8-1-1 conference mark. The Cougars earned the program’s first NAIA National Tournament berth and featured a decorated award haul, including the RSC Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year, all developed under Akhavein’s leadership.
In her debut season in 2021, Akhavein led IU Kokomo to a 6-9-2 overall record and a 6-4-1 conference mark, immediately raising the program’s competitive baseline. The Cougars earned the program’s first winning record in River States Conference play, laying the foundation for the rapid rise that followed in subsequent seasons.
Akhavein arrived at IU Kokomo after serving as head coach at Blackburn College, where she guided multiple all-conference selections in one of the most competitive NCAA Division III leagues in the country. Prior to Blackburn, she spent time with Oshkosh United Soccer Club and served as a sports coordinator with the YMCA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
She also spent three seasons at Ripon College, where she helped guide the Red Hawks to a then-program-best 10-7-1 record in 2013 as an assistant coach. A 2011 graduate of Marian University (Wisconsin), Akhavein brings a strong background in collegiate coaching, player development, and youth soccer development at multiple levels.
Akhavein resides in Westfield with her partner, Lindsay, along with their dog, Azadi, and cat, Meeko.
