The following is the article from The San Diego Union-Tribune, “Cathedral Catholic’s Dawn Lee is poised to become the winningest girls soccer coach in San Diego history.”

When Dawn Lee took over as USDHS’ girls soccer coach after her father, Butch, passed away from cancer in 1998, the only number she cared about was 243.

“That’s how many games he won,” she said. “Then that goal came and went.”

So did 300 wins, then 400 and when the now-Cathedral Catholic High School Dons defeated Fullerton Rosary 3-1 in the opening round of the Excalibur Tournament in Orange County in December, it marked victory No. 500.

Since that milestone, Cathedral Catholic has gone 6-3-1, inching Lee closer to another standard — the section record of 511 victories set by Torrey Pines’ Dennis Costello, who retired in 2011 after 25 years.

With five regular-season games remaining, plus the playoffs, that celebration could come before the end of this season.

The Dons are currently 11-5-2 and ranked No. 4 in San Diego and No. 26 in the state.

“I never said I wanted a certain number of wins before I was done,” said Lee, who has claimed 11 section championships ranging from her first in 2001, when USDHS captured the Division 3 title, to the 2020 Open Division crown.

“Someone asked me if I was going to coach until I have 1,000. That’s not going to happen, but as long as I have the energy and the girls still like me, I love what I do. I’m not ready to retire, but when I do, I’ll step completely away. The new coach doesn’t need me looking over her shoulder.”

Lee is coming off a knee replacement, which means the former USDHS and UC San Diego standout may soon be kicking the ball around with her team. But she says she has no plans to play again.

Her reaction to having 500 wins: “It just means I’m getting old.”

Humor aside, senior captain Anna Wilson actually told the team in the huddle right before the Rosary game that Lee would break the 500 barrier with a victory.

“The team was very excited and after we won, we celebrated, but Coach told us to just start looking forward to the next game,” said Wilson, who will play for UCLA next season.

The Dons tied their next game against Los Alamitos, but Wilson didn’t think it was because of a letdown.

“It’s a long season with a lot of ups and downs, but that tournament was when we started to come together, so the 500th win was important,” Wilson said.

As for breaking the section record, Lee admits that has not been part of her agenda.

“I just recently found out about the record,” said Lee, who is 54 and teaches physical education. “I’m very comfortable where I am and don’t plan to change anything.”

Lee admits she was greatly influenced by her dad, acting as his assistant for three years before assuming the head coaching position, and her college coach, Brian McManus. She carries much of their knowledge and handling of high school girls into practice and games.

“They were a lot alike,” she said, speaking of her father and McManus. “And one of the key things I’ve learned is to treat everyone, from a starter to the third player off the bench, the same.

“Let’s face it, I’ve had some good players in my 28 years, and the thing I like best is how so many of them keep in touch. That means a lot to me. I love having the former players come back to talk to the current players. I have never recruited one player, not one. Sure, I’ve had players and parents email me or talk to me and I just tell them to talk to my principal.”

Four-year starter Claire Curran, a 2023 graduate who was on the Dons team that won the 400th game for Lee in 2019, is one of the players who keeps in touch.

“That was in the Excalibur Tournament, too,” said Curran, who now plays for the University of Oklahoma. “It was exciting. What makes Dawn special is she cares about her players. She uses the pillars of success and holds everyone to the same standard.

“She motivates you to play, but it goes beyond that. I’ll be in contact with my teammates and coach the rest of my life. The thing is, when you make a mistake, she reassures you, she lets you know that everyone makes mistakes and not to let it affect your play. You’re playing for Cathedral Catholic and we all know what that means and what is expected of us. She has won 500 games, but I don’t see her slowing down.”

Before Lee can set the section record of 511 wins, she’ll need to surpass the 509 career wins earned by Ron Pietila, who coached at Bonita Vista, Southwest-San Diego and Otay Ranch.

Pietila admits he had no idea the record was 511 when he retired, but wishes Lee the best.

“They say records are made to be broken, and she deserves it,” said Pietila. “Winning 500 games is a milestone and very few are able to claim that. It’s very significant. As for my success, I think I’m more proud of the fact I started programs from scratch at Southwest and Otay Ranch, which is very difficult, and still enjoyed success.”

Lee says there is still another reason for remaining passionate about the game.

“This year there will be a state tournament for the first time,” she said. “I think we were the first San Diego Section school to win a regional title (2008). Wouldn’t it be great if we were to become the first to win state? Just having an opportunity to be the state champion is exciting.”

Lee is averaging roughly 100 wins every five years. If 1,000 is out of the question, what about 600?

“You never know,” she said with a chuckle. “That might be a reason to stick around.”