Carl Hutter is entering his 29th season at the helm of the Lindenwood men’s soccer program in 2022. He has been a collegiate soccer coach for 41 seasons, including 40 as a head coach.
Hutter has compiled a career record of 452-257-67, and has a record of 353-160-42 mark at Lindenwood. Since moving to the NCAA Division II level, Lindenwood is 102-60-19, and it has won three MIAA regular season championships, two MIAA tournament championships, and one NCAA Regional Championship.
While Lindenwood was a NAIA member, the men’s soccer program won a national championship, six conference titles, and three regional titles. Hutter was once named the NAIA National Coach of the Year. From 2000-2010, Lindenwood advanced to the NAIA National Tournament six times. In four of those appearances, it advanced to at least the NAIA quarterfinals. In addition, the program had 10 NAIA All-Americans, 10 NAIA scholar-athletes, and a National Player of the Year.
Lindenwood finished the 2021 season with a record of 6-7-3, including a 6-5-3 mark inside conference play. After a slow start to the year, the Lions compiled five-consecutive victories during the middle portion of the season, which helped them reach the GLVC conference tournament. Under the guidance of Hutter, Joshua Scholl earned second team All-GLVC recognition, while Zachary Martin was named GLVC Defensive Player of the Week one time.
The 2020 season was moved to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lindenwood concluded the season with a record of 3-11-0, as all contests were conference games. The highlight of the season was a 2-1 upset victory over No. 3 Maryville. Isaac Hoog scored both goals in the first half to earn GLVC Offensive Player of the Week. The Lions earned one shutout on the year, which came against Rockhurst at home. Lindenwood played in many close games, as the Lions fell by one goal six different times.
In 2019, the team went 7-7-4 under the coaching of Hutter. The team owned a 6-5-4 record within the GLVC, as the team also had two players collect All-Conference honors. Luke McBeth and Tim Licht were selected to the All-Conference squad, with McBeth receiving second team honors, and Licht being named to the third team.
In 2018, Lindenwood compiled a 9-6-3 record, including a 6-3-2 mark at Hunter Stadium. The Lions finished the season with a 3-4-1 record in conference play. Lindenwood had five of its 18 matches reach overtime, finishing with a 2-0-3 record in those contests. In total the Lions boasted six All-MIAA award winners, the third-highest mark in the conference. Both Fernando Cordero and Thomas Hutcheson received first-team honors, Gaspar Alvarez, Luke McBeth, and Leon Silva were named to the second-team, and Aleksa Nenadic achieved honorable mention status. Hutcheson (first-team), Alvarez (second-team), and Cordero (second-team) were all selected to the D2CCA All-Central Region team.
In 2017, Lindenwood finished the season with a 10-7-0 record, including a 5-3-0 record against MIAA foes. The Lions registered seven shutouts on the season, including back-to-back shutout victories to end the year. Lindenwood had the second-best scoring defense in the MIAA, allowing just 1.11 goals per game. On the offensive side of the field, Lindenwood averaged 2.12 goals per game, the third-highest mark in the program's NCAA era. Freshman phenom, Michele Ganz ranked second in the MIAA in goals scored with 11, en route to a unanimous first-team All-MIAA and MIAA Freshman of the Year campaign. Joining Ganz on the All-MIAA squad was Gabriel Jaimes and Jeremy Tutas, both of whom were named to the first-team. Ganz and Jaimes went on to receive D2CCA all-region first-team selections, while Tim Licht and Tutas earned recognition as second-team performers.
For the second consecutive season, Hutter and his staff were selected as the recipients of the Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year award.
In 2016, Lindenwood captured its third MIAA Championship after going 7-1-0 in conference play. The Lions advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the second time in the season. Lindenwood had one of the top offenses in the country, ranking eighth nationally with 2.74 goals a game. The Lions also allowed less than a goal a game, which led the MIAA.
Hutter coached 10 players who earned all-conference honors, and four who were all-region picks. Xhovani Dokaj was the MIAA Player of the Year and the Regional Player of the Year, and earned All-American honors. Academically, 20 players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, three were MIAA Scholar Athletes, and three earned the MIAA Academic Excellence Award.
Hutter was named the 2016 MIAA Coach of the Year, and the Lions coaching staff was named the Central Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
In 2015, Hutter collected his 400th career victory with a 4-2 win against nationally-ranked Drury. The victory was one of four wins on the year against nationally-ranked teams, including a 3-1 victory over No. 3 Quincy. Lindenwood tied for third in the MIAA and continued its streak of having a winning record in each of its NCAA seasons.
Hutter helped five Lions earn all-conference honors, including first-team selections for Andre Hayne and Alfredo Paez. That duo also earned all-region accolades. Fourteen members of the team were named to the MIAA Honor Roll. Andrew Hamerlinck was a MIAA Academic Excellence award winner and also was named a first-team Academic All-District player.
In 2014, Hutter’s squad completed another double-figure wins seasons with a 10-7-3 overall record. The Lions were third in the MIAA with a 7-4-1 record, and they advanced to the MIAA Tournament finals for the third time in three tries.
Four Lindenwood players earned All-MIAA honors in 2015 and two were all-region selections. Eleven players were named to the MIAA Honor Roll, and one was a MIAA Academic Excellence award winner.
In 2013, Lindenwood made school history in two different ways. The first was that it became the first squad to be ranked No. 1 in the nation. The second was that it was the first Lindenwood program to earn a bid to a NCAA Division II Tournament event. The Lions defeated Fort Hays State 1-0 in their first NCAA tournament game to win the NCAA Central Regional Championship. In the quarterfinals, Lindenwood fell by a 1-0 score to Rockhurst.
Hutter helped Lindenwood go 16-0-2 in the regular season, which included winning the MIAA Championship with a 7-0-1 mark. Lindenwood captured the MIAA Tournament Championship after a penalty kick victory over Fort Hays State in the championship game. Hutter was named the MIAA and the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year.
Hutter helped coach four players to NSCAA All-American honors. Mauricio Medina and Aris Nukic were first-team picks, and Fermin Hughes and Rodney Mays were third-team selections. Five players earned all-region honors from the NSCAA, and 10 players were named to the all-conference team. Medina received the MIAA Player of the Year award. Eight players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, and one was named a MIAA Scholar-Athlete.
In 2012, the Lions made more history by winning the first MIAA championship in any sport. The Lions finished the season with a 15-2-3 overall record and it won the conference with an 8-0-2 record. Lindenwood also captured the MIAA Tournament after defeating Northeastern State in the championship game by a 1-0 record. The Lions were led by a defense that ranked in the top 10 in the nation with a 0.65 GAA.
Four Lindenwood players were named first-team All-MIAA, including Fermin Hughes who was the MIAA Freshman of the Year. Two other players also earned second-team honors. Academically, Hernan Gonzalez was a Capital One Academic All-District selection and a total of eight players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
In 2011, Lindenwood played its first season outside of the NAIA and the team finished with a record of 10-8. The Lions completed the season with a home record of 3-3 and were 6-4 on the road. After starting the season off slow, Lindenwood closed out the season winning its last six of seven games. Two Lions were named to the ICAA second team, and the defense surrendered just 1.5 goals a game.
In 2010, the Lions finished with an overall record of 13-6-1. The Lions' 13 wins was the most for the team since the 2006 season. The Lions finished with a home record of 8-1-1 which was the program's best record at Hunter Stadium since 2006. During HAAC play the Lions finished with a mark of 5-3-1. The highlight of the season came early on when the team beat the then No. 1 ranked Lindsey Wilson 1-0. After the season, five Lions were named to the All-HAAC squad and goalie Victor Francoz was named to the NAIA All-American team.
In 2009, Lindenwood finished with an overall record of 9-10-3 and a conference mark of 5-3-1. The Lions would enter the HAAC tournament as the fourth seed and would pull an upset and win the conference tournament in a shootout against Missouri Valley. With the win the Lions would move onto the NAIA national tournament. Lindenwood fell in the first round 3-0 to the University of Rio Grande. Three Lions were named to the all-conference, one on the first team and two on the second team.
In 2008, the Lions finished the season with a record of 12-6-1. The Lions finished with a 6-3 record in conference play which helped them to a third place finish. In addition, three players were named first-team All-HAAC and two were selected for the second-team.
In 2006, Hutter earned his 200th win at Lindenwood and his 300th career win. His 200th Lion victory came in a 1-0 shutout over Milligan. His 300th career win was also a shutout in a 4-0 victory over Avila. In addition, the Lions placed two athletes on the NAIA All-Region team.
In 2004, Hutter led Lindenwood to its first NAIA National Championship in men’s soccer. The Lions entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and rode a strong defense to the crown. Lindenwood allowed just one goal in four games, and captured the title with a 1-0 victory over Auburn Montgomery. Hutter was named National Coach of the Year after that season.
Between the years of 1994-2003 the Lions compiled a record of 165-58-8. During those years the program averaged 16.5 wins a year and had three years when they won at least 20 games.
After a successful playing career, Hutter became an assistant coach at Harris-Stowe in 1982 and from 1983-87 he served as its head coach. From 1988-1993, he coached at Missouri Valley, before ending up at Lindenwood.
Hutter was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014, and was inducted into the Roosevelt High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2007, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Harris-Stowe State University.
Hutter is also Lindenwood's Assistant Athletics Director for facilities.
Hutter’s Year-by-Year Coaching Record (Lindenwood):
1994: 14-7-2
1995: 17-7-0 (AMC Champions, AMC Tournament Champions)
1996: 19-5-0 (HAAC Tournament Champions)
1997: 11-10-0
1998: 12-8-0 (HAAC Champions)
1999: 14-8-1 (HAAC Champions)
2000: 20-4-1 (NAIA Regional Champions)
2001: 21-3-1 (HAAC Champions, NAIA Regional Champions)
2002: 17-3-1
2003: 20-3-2 (HAAC Champions, NAIA Regional Champions)
2004: 19-3-1 (NAIA National Champions)
2005: 11-6-4
2006: 13-4-2
2007: 9-7-3
2008: 12-6-1
2009: 9-10-3 (HAAC Tournament Champions)
2010: 13-6-1
2011: 10-8
2012: 15-2-3 (MIAA Champions, MIAA Tournament Champions)
2013: 18-1-3 (MIAA Champions, MIAA Tournament Champions, NCAA Regional Champions)
2014: 10-7-3
2015: 8-7-2
2016: 13-4-2 (MIAA Champions)
2017: 10-7-0
2018: 9-6-3
2019: 7-7-4
2020: 3-11-0
2021: 6-7-3
Hutter’s Year-by-Year Coaching Record (Harris-Stowe):
1983: 12-5-2
1984: 10-10-2
1985: 8-8-2
1986: 6-7-3
1987: 4-15-4
Hutter’s Year-by-Year Coaching Record (Missouri Valley):
1988: 8-11-0
1989: 8-8-2
1990: 4-11-4
1991: 11-9-2
1992: 14-6-2 (HAAC Tournament Champions)
1993: 14-7-2 (HAAC Tournament Champions)
