Courtney Shoda, alumni of Sonoma State and former women’s soccer standout, is in a fight for her life in a Southern California hospital after going into cardiac arrest and collapse March 3.

Shoda, 25, was a three year varsity player for the “SSU” women’s soccer club and studied Kinesiology while at Sonoma State. 

Shoda played defender for the Seawolves and while she excelled on the field, Shoda also thrived in the classroom, earning CCAA All-Academic team during her freshman year of athletics. 

In September 2017 Shoda had experienced a rare cardiac arrest, commotio cordis, during a soccer practice at Sonoma State, where she collapsed after taking a hit to the chest from a soccer ball. Head women’s soccer coach Emira Salzman and then husband, Mark Dunn performed CPR to save Shoda’s life during that practice. 

After graduating from Sonoma State in 2017, Courtney moved back to her home of Torrance and currently works as an emergency room technician at Centinela Hospital while she is waiting to hear back from nursing programs she has applied to. 

Courtney was talking on her cellphone when she collapsed then rushed to Little Company of Mary Hospital before being transferred to Keck Hospital of USC in Los Angeles. 

In an article written by Bob Padecky for the Press Democrat, Shoda’s Mother, Dorene Crist “…confirmed that her daughter was on life support at Keck Hospital of USC waiting for a heart transplant.” 

“The pain I am in is immeasurable,” Crist said in a text message about her daughter’s status. 

Covid-19 regulations have made it very tough on the family to be able to see Shoda at the hospital. There are only two hours a day that they are able to visit Shoda while she rests waiting for a heart transplant.  

The South Bay soccer community ( in Los Angeles), held a rally March 13 for Courtney. Shoda’s friends organized a “Run For Shoda” event to encourage people on running 2.22 miles any time of the day and post a picture tagging the instagram name (@Courtneystrong22), while using the hashtag #22strong. 

Shoda’s hometown high school, West High, will wear “No.22” armbands for their season to honor the former athlete where she earned All-Bay League second team and was voted three times for the coaches award for being a leader on the field.   

A GoFundMe campaign started for Courtney has raised over 56,000 as of Sunday, Courtney Strong – GoFundMe.  The Star will continue to follow Shoda’s story closely to give up updates on her health and well being.