Christy Kononiuk has rejoined the Missouri State women's soccer program during the summer of 2025. She primarily assisted with the midfielders and forwards. She was previously part of the Missouri State coaching staff from 2022-2023. Kononiuk served as the assistant coach for women's soccer at Evangel University from 2023-2024.
Kononiuk played a key role in Missouri State’s first season in Conference USA and a run to the CUSA Tournament championship match. Working primarily with the midfielders and forwards, she coached four all-conference honorees, including forward Julia Kristensen, who earned First Team All-Conference recognition after totaling five goals and three assists. Midfielder Abby Hansen started 15 matches and recorded three goals and six assists to earn Second Team All-Conference and Conference USA All-Academic Team honors. Midfielders Ellie Neath and Jane Hansen each earned Conference USA All-Tournament Team recognition, with Neath scoring two game-winning goals during the postseason to help propel the Bears into the championship match.
During her last stint at MSU, she landed three forwards and one midfielder on All-MVC Teams, including sophomore Grace O'Keefe earning MVC Player of the Year honors and freshman Hailey Chambliss being named Valley Freshman of the Year. This year, the Bears returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 after winning the MVC Tournament as a No. 2 seed. Missouri State posted a 12-7-2 (7-2-1 MVC) mark, and Chambliss set the Bears' all-time record for individual game-winning goals in a season, accounting for five total.
Kononiuk came to MSU from Evangel, where she has served as an assistant coach since 2018. Kononiuk is no stranger to the MSU program as she was a volunteer assistant for the Bears from 2016-2017. During her time on staff, she helped lead Missouri State to an MVC tournament championship and NCAA appearance in 2017.
In addition to working at MSU and Evangel, Kononiuk brings a strong background in youth development. She is currently the Midwest Region Olympic Development Program (ODP) Head Coach and the Girls Director with Southwest Missouri Rush. She also served as the Missouri Youth Soccer Association ODP Head Coach in 2016 and led the Sporting Springfield Soccer Club from 2015-2019.
Kononiuk began her coaching career in 1994 and holds several elite coaching credentials, including the USSF National A License (2019), USSF Grassroots Coaching Instructor License (2018), and most recently, the USSF Talent Scout License.
She graduated from Evangel University in 2025. Christy and her husband Bob have two daughters, Karis and Kayla.
