Gina Lewandowski
FullnameGina Loren Lewandowski[1]
Birth dateApril 13, 1985 (age 41)
Birth placeBethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
PositionMidfielder / Defender
Collegeyears 12003–2006
College 1Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Collegecaps 170
Collegegoals 136
Years 12006
Clubs 1Northampton Laurels
Caps 123
Goals 13
Years 22007
Clubs 2Charlotte Lady Eagles
Caps 216
Goals 22
Years 32007–2012
Clubs 31. FFC Frankfurt
Caps 383
Goals 32
Years 42011
Clubs 4Western New York Flash
Caps 48
Goals 40
Years 52012–2019
Clubs 5Bayern Munich
Caps 5116
Goals 518
Years 62019–2022
Clubs 6NJ/NY Gotham FC
Caps 638
Goals 60
Manageryears 12022–2024
Managerclubs 1Lehigh (Asst./assoc. head coach)
Manageryears 22025–
Managerclubs 2Notre Dame (assistant)
Nationalyears 12015
Nationalteam 1United States
Nationalcaps 11
Nationalgoals 10

Gina Loren Lewandowski (born April 13, 1985) is an American former soccer player who is currently an assistant coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Early life and education

Lewandowski was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,[2] was raised in nearby Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[3]

She attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, where she received a degree in biology. She is of Polish ancestry.[4][5] Despite sharing the same last name and at one point playing simultaneously at Bayern Munich, she is not related to Robert Lewandowski.

Collegiate career

Lewandowski played her collegial soccer at Lehigh University, where she was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2003. She led all scorers in the league in 2004 with eight goals and 16 points.[6] She finished her college career with 36 goals and 8 assists in 70 games.[7] She then played for the Northampton Laurels in 2006.[8]

Professional career

Following university Lewandowski tried outs for two teams in Germany, heading overseas on May 22, 2007. Her desire to play lead her to "... go over and see where it takes me," Lewandowski said, "It's just a leap of faith."[9]

1. FFC Frankfurt

Following a successful trial, the four-time All-Patriot League moved to 1. FFC Frankfurt with fellow American Alexandra Krieger on July 30, 2007.[10] While at Frankfurt Lewandowski won the treble in 2007–08 (Bundesliga-Pokal-Champions League). She helped Frankfurt win the Pokal again in 2011. Lewandowski also went on to another Champion's League final in 2011–12, losing to Lyon.[11]

Western New York Flash

Lewandowski left Frankfurt to play one season in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league in the summer of 2011. She appeared 8 times for the Western New York Flash and helped the club win both the league and the championship. The WPS folded in the following off-season.

Bayern Munich

Lewandowski returned to Germany following the WPS, this time with Bayern Munich.[12] From 2012 to 2019, she appeared in 116 times for the club in regular season games, scoring 18 times. Along with Bayern she won the Frauen-Bundesliga two more times in 2015 and 2016.[13]

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Lewandowski signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team based in New Jersey, 90 minutes from where she grew up, on May 7, 2019.[14][15] In January 2020, she signed a new one-year contract.[16]

On May 30, 2022, she announced her plans to retire in July 2022.[17]

Coaching career

On March 7, 2025, Lewandowski was announced as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.[18]

International career

May 9, 2012, Lewandowski called up for the United States match against China.[19]

On October 25, 2015, at age 30, Lewandowski earned her only cap for the United States in an international friendly (Victory Tour) match against Brazil, coming off the bench in the 74th minute to play left wingback.

Honors and awards

Club

1. FFC Frankfurt

Bayern Munich

Individual

References

  1. ^ "CCHS grads honored". The Morning Call. June 7, 2003. p. B7. Retrieved June 27, 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  2. ^ "Gina Lewandowski: A Sky Blue Season". Goal Click. February 2021. Archived June 27, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "Gina Lewandowski". Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Gina Lewandowski meets Robert Lewandowski". The Equalizer. 6 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Exclusive Interview with Bayern Munich's Gina Lewandowski, the American Champion in Germany". Bundesliga Fanatic. 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "School Info - Patriot League Official Athletic Site". cstv.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  7. ^ "Women's Soccer Archives". Lehigh Athletics. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  8. ^ http://www.northamptonlaurelsfc.com/article_view.aspx?content=60[dead link]
  9. ^ "Senior Standouts - Patriot League Official Athletic Site". cstv.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17.
  10. ^ "Krieger und Lewandowski wechseln nach Frankfurt" (in German). Handelsblatt. 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "Champions League Final in Munich Olympic Stadium". dfb.de. 30 January 2012.
  12. ^ Rooke, Jamie (2022-03-02). "NWSL Challenge Cup: Players to watch in 2022". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  13. ^ "Gina Lewandowski signs with Sky Blue FC". Bavarian Football Works. 7 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Sky Blue FC signs Gina Lewandowski after Lehigh Valley native leaves Bayern Munich". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 7 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Sky Blue FC sign Gina Lewandowski". Vavel. 7 May 2019.
  16. ^ "Sky Blue FC Re-sign Defender Gina Lewandowski". Sky Blue FC. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  17. ^ Gina Lewandowski. "More to say and express but I'll start here…💜". No. 1531367121845821440.
  18. ^ "Women's Soccer Adds Gina Lewandowski to Coaching Staff". fightingirish.com. University of Notre Dame Athletics. March 7, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  19. ^ "Sundhage Names 28 Players to New Jersey Training Camp in Advance of U.S. WNT Match against China on May 27". ussoccer.com. May 9, 2012. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  20. ^ "Lewandowski set to compete with US National Team this Thursday and Sunday". Lehigh Athletics. Retrieved 21 October 2017.