Western New England University

Former Western New England University women's soccer captain and 2015 Downes Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Kristin (Thornton) Hensinger '07 was named the seventh head coach in program history on August 9, 2016.

Hensinger is set to begin her ninth season at the helm of the Golden Bears in 2024 and won her first CCC Championship in the fall of 2022. 

Hensinger's Golden Bears rattled off ten wins during the 2023 season, a season in which came to an end in the CCC championship game. Western New England put together an impressive 6-1-1 record in CCC play behind the watch of Hensinger. Despite the loss in the title game, Hensinger was named CCC Coach of the Year, while Malina LaCapra picked up Defensive Player of the Year honors. Eight total Golden Bears picked up All-CCC accolades during the 2023 season. Following the season, a trio of Golden Bears picked up United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors.

The 2022 season brought unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime to Hensinger and the Golden Bears as WNE won their first CCC championship under the guide of their head coach. Western New England finished the year with a 14-6-2 record, including 6-2-1 in CCC play. The top spot in the CCC tournament, the Golden Bears would run the table, defeating Wentowrth Institute of Technology (3-0), Roger Williams University (7-6 PKs), and the University of New England (3-0) to recieve the automatic qualification into the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Bears would match up with York College (Pa.) and would win their first ever NCAA Tournament game in program history, coming away with a 2-0 win. The Golden Bears would eventually bow out to top ranked MIsercordia University. 

Hensinger guided her Golden Bears to an 11-7 record in 2021, which included seven wins in CCC play. Hensinger coached senior Allison Bruehwiler to Player of the Year accolades, while six others were named to the All-CCC teams. Autumn Hathaway and Allison Bruehwiler were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Teams, while Bruehwiler was also named to the NEWISA All-New England Second Team.

Under Hensinger's leadership, the women's soccer program went 8-10-2, including 4-3-1 in CCC action and advanced to the CCC Tournament quarterfinals and hosted a playoff game for the third straight year in 2019. Four Golden Bears collected All-CCC second team honors.

Under Hensinger's leadership, the women's soccer program continued its resurgence during her third season in 2018. The Golden Bears hosted a home playoff game for the second straight year and earned Western New England's first CCC Tournament championship game appearance since 2009. Allison Bruehwiler collected Western New England's second consecutive CCC Rookie of the Year award, and four other Golden Bears garnered All-CCC accolades. Additionally, Bruehwiler and senior captain Erin Grimes were recognized as NEWISA All-New England performers. 

In 2017, Western New England went 10-8-2 overall, the most wins for the team since 2010, and 7-2 in league play, good for third in the CCC standings. The Golden Bears hosted the University of New England in their first home playoff contest since the 2010 campaign, earning a spot in the CCC semifinals with a 2-0 victory over the Nor'easters. Six of Hensinger's student-athletes garnered All-CCC accolades, including first team selections Alex Lemekha and Brooke Labrie, as well as CCC Rookie of the Year Morgan Smith. Hensinger was recognized for Western New England's turnaround with her selection as CCC Co-Coach of the Year.

The Bedford, N.H. native took charge of the program ahead of the 2016 campaign after serving on fellow Hall-of-Famer Ron Dias' staff for nine seasons. Hensinger led the Golden Bears to a 6-11-3 record and an appearance in the CCC Tournament during her first season as head coach.  

Hensinger was a four-year midfielder for Western New England from 2003-06 and one of the top players in school history. As a senior, she led the Golden Bears to an 11-8-2 record and a berth in the NCAA Division III Championship. She was voted the Most Valuable Player of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament after leading WNE to the team title.

Hensinger led the team in scoring with 23 points on six goals and 11 assists in making the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) Division III Team. She also was a four-time All-GNAC performer.

Hensinger earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western New England before going on to receive her master's degree, also in psychology, from Springfield College in May 2009. 

Kristin Hensinger was inducted into the Western New England Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 2, 2015. Also taking part in the presentation were (from left): WNE senior associate director of athletics Joe Sassi, women's soccer coach Ron Dias, and University president Anthony S. Caprio.