University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Men's Soccer

Jason Murphy begins his 13th season as the UW-La Crosse head soccer coach in 2026.  The third head coach in school history, Murphy is 173-46-26 (.759) overall and 62-8-8 (.846) in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play in his first 12 seasons.  The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat. His 173 overall victories are tied for the school record with Sara Burton, who finished 173-149-28 (.534) from 1994-2013. He has guided the Eagles to eight appearances in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Tournament, including three (2017, 2021, 2023) trips to the national quarterfinals. UWL advanced to the third round in 2017 and 2022 and made its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Championships in 2015. The Eagles earned an automatic bid to the national tournament in 2024 and 2025, advancing to the second round in 2025.  UWL finished 19-3-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the WIAC in 2025. The Eagles won the WIAC regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the NCAA Division III Second Round. It was the Eagles' ninth straight appearance in the WIAC Tournament Championship game. The 19 victories are fourth in single-season school history. The Eagles set single-season school records for goals (103), assists (91) and shots (596) in 2025 while recording their second-most shutouts (15).  UWL went 16-4-2 overall and 6-0-1 in the conference in 2024, winning the conference regular season and tournament title. UWL finished 20-1-2 overall and 7-0 in the WIAC in 2023, capturing the conference regular season and tournament title. UWL earned an automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships, earned home wins over UW-Superior and Simpson College (Iowa) in the first two rounds and advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over Loras College (Iowa). UWL's 20 victories in 2023 are tied for second-most in single-season school history. The Eagles also tied the then school record for assists (63) while their 64 goals is fifth-most. UWL finished seventh in the final 2023 United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll.  The Eagles went 21-2-1 overall and 7-0 in the WIAC in 2022, also winning the conference regular season and tournament titles. UWL earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships, defeating Greenville University (Ill.) in the opening round and Illinois Wesleyan University in the second round. The 21 wins set a single-season school record, breaking the previous record of 20 in 2017.  UWL won 14 straight games in 2022, tying the school record in 2018.  The team also recorded 14 shutouts, tied for the most in school history set in 2017. UWL finished ranked 13th in the final 2022 United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com Top-25 Polls.  UWL was 16-4-4 overall and 6-1 in the WIAC in 2021 under Murphy. The Eagles advanced to the national quarterfinals, earning a first round win over Wartburg College (Iowa) and second round victory over St. Catherine University (Minn.). The Eagles defeated sixth-ranked Washington University-St. Louis (Mo.) in a shootout in the third round.  Jason Murphy has led UW-La Crosse to all eight  of its NCAA III Tournament appearances. UWL finished 12-7-3 overall and 4-2-1 in the WIAC in 2019, advancing to the conference tournament championship game for the fourth straight year. The Eagles finished 18-3-3 in 2018, recording the then second most wins in single-season school history while winning a then school record 14 straight games. UWL finished 20-2-3 overall in 2017, setting a school record for victories.  UWL won the 2018 WIAC regular-season title with a 6-0-1 record.  The Eagles also captured the conference tournament title with a 3-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships.   UWL earned its third regular-season conference title in school history in 2017 with a 7-0 league mark, finishing undefeated in WIAC play for the first time in school history.  The Eagles earned an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA III Championships after winning the WIAC Championship with a 4-3 shootout victory over UW-Whitewater.  Along with the school records for wins (20) and shutouts (14) in 2017, UWL set then single-season school records for goals (65), assists (63), points (193) and shots (506). UWL earned the WIAC Coaching Staff of the Year Award in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024.  The Eagles were also selected the 2017, 2022 and 2023 United Soccer Coaches Region Staff of the Year. UWL set a then school record for single-season wins in 2016, finishing 14-5 overall. The Eagles finished second in the WIAC in 2016 with a 5-2 mark, advancing to the WIAC Championship game for third time in school history and first since 1999.   Murphy led UWL to its first appearance in school history in the NCAA Division III Championship in 2015 as the Eagles finished 12-7-2 overall. UWL claimed a share of the WIAC regular season title with a 5-1-1 league record.  The conference title was the second in school history (1996).  For his efforts, Murphy was named the 2015 WIAC Coach of the Year. The Eagles won a then school record eight consecutive matches in 2015 and advanced to the WIAC Championship Semifinals. Sixty-eight All-WIAC honors have been earned in Murphy's 12 seasons at UWL. Eight student-athletes were voted to the 2025 All-WIAC Team as Aubree Caya, Summer Nicolai, Ella Opie, Jillian Sawadski, Sera Speltz, Allison Steeno and Monica Wawrzyn earning first team accolades. Amaya Thesing was named to the honorable mention team. It marked the 11th straight year and 12th time in the last 14 seasons that UWL has had at least four players named to the All-WIAC Team.  Caya was selected the 2025 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year and Nicolai the WIAC Goalkeeper of the Year. Wawrzyn was voted the WIAC Newcomer of the Year. Caya was voted to the United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team while Caya (first team), Sawadski (third team), Speltz (first team), Steeno (first team) and Wawrzyn (second team) earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region accolades. Caya (first team), Sawadski (second team) and Speltz (first team) earned United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Central Region honors with Caya being named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America First Team and Speltz to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Second Team. Seven players were selected to the 2024 All-WIAC Team as Ellie Arndt, Ellie Behnke, Chelsea Gale, Alexis McMahon, Addie Pauling and Sawadski earned first team honors. Sophie Pope was named to the honorable mention team. Arndt was named the 2024 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season while McMahon earned the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. Arndt was also selected the 2024 WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete after McMahon earned the honor in 2023. Arndt was voted to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches Association All-America First Team and McMahon to the Second Team. Both players earned 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX First Team accolades while Behnke earned third team and Pauling fourth team honors.  Academically, McMahon was selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America First Team and Arndt to the Second Team. Both players earned United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America First Team awards. Nine student-athletes were named to the 2023 All-WIAC Team with Ainsley Allan, Sophia Anger, Arndt, Claire Cater, Maggie Hernandez, McMahon, Jenna Nichols and Pauling earning first team honors. Sydney Halstead was an All-WIAC Honorable Mention choice. Arndt was named the 2023 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year while McMahon earned the Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. Anger was voted the Goalkeeper of the Year. McMahon was selected the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete. Arndt and McMahon both earned 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-America accolades with Arndt named to the first team and McMahon second team.  Off the field, Arndt was voted the 2023 United Soccer Coaches National Scholar Player of the Year while being name to the Scholar All-America First Team with McMahon. Anger was named 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America First Team. Six players were selected to the 2022 All-WIAC Team under Murphy, including Allan, Arndt, Ellie Behnke, Cater, McMahon and Pauling. Allan was named the WIAC Offensive Player of the Year while McMahon was voted the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year. McMahon was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team while Arndt earned Second Team accolades.  Allan, Arndt, Behnke, McMahon and Anger earned all-region honors.  Four student-athletes were named to the 2021 all-conference team, including Sophie Amundson, Katie Feller, Quinn Shannon and McMahon. Amundson was voted the 2021 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year.  Amundson and Feller were named to the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Division III Region IX Team First while McMahon was named to the second team. Amundson was also named to  United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-America Third Team.    Five student-athletes were named to the 2019 all-conference team, including Kaitlyn Villars, Feller, Amundson, Shannon and Halstead.  Feller was voted the 2019 WIAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year while Halstead was named the WIAC Newcomer of the Year.  Seven players were named to the All-WIAC Team in 2017 and 2018.  The Eagles' Lily Brock, Megan Carroll, Cassie Handrick, Margaret Harings, Delaney Harnell, Maya Schmitt and Villars all earned the honor in 2018.  Brock, Carroll, Alex Cording, Maddie Granos, Harings, Schmitt and Villars were named to the 2017 team.  It marked the first time in school history UWL had seven student-athletes named to the all-conference first team.   The Eagles have had at least four players named to the All-WIAC Team in each of Murphy's first 12 years.   Harings was selected the 2017 and 2018 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year while Schmitt was named the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year both seasons.  Harings became the first player in school history to be named the league's offensive player of the year while Schmitt was the third to be selected the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year.  Feller and Villars were named to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Second Team.  Harings (first team) and Schmitt (third team) were voted to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-America Team while Harings (first team) was selected to the 2018 D3soccer.com All-America Team.  She is the first player in school history to earn D3soccer.com All-America honors.  Harings, Schmitt, Carroll and Handrick were all voted to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team. In 2017, Harings (second team) and Carroll (third team) earned United Soccer Coaches All-America Team accolades while Harings (first team), Carroll (first team), Schmitt (first team) and Villars (second team) were voted to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Team.  Carroll, Granos, Harings, Haley Hartkemeyer, Natalie Herzog and Hayley Stephens, were named to the 2016 All-WIAC Team.  It marked the first time in school history UWL had six student-athletes named to the all-conference first team.  Carroll, Harings and Herzog were selected to the 2016 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-North Region Team for NCAA Division III with Carroll and Harings earning second team honors and Herzog third team recognition.  Kourtni Alcock was voted the 2015 WIAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year under Murphy.  Alcock and Harings were both named to the 2015 NSCAA All-North Region for NCAA Division III.  Alcock was voted to the first team while Harings earned third team recognition.  Carroll was named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Second Team while being voted to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-North/Central Region First Team.  Stephens was named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-North/Central Region Second Team. Murphy led the Eagles to an 5-8-5 overall and 3-2-3 WIAC record in 2014.  Kirsten Anderson, Nicole Blaser, Kelly Denk and Ashley Tracy were selected to the 2014 All-WIAC Team.  Denk was also named a co-recipient of the 2014 WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.  UWL has earned 11 All-America and 37 All-Region honors under Murphy as well as 13 Academic All-America selections and 31 Academic All-Region honors. Murphy came to UWL after serving as head women's soccer coach and director of athletics at Marian University (Wis.).  He completed his fourth season as the Sabres' head coach in 2013.  Marian (Wis.) compiled a 33-12-2 Northern Athletic Conference (NAC) record under Murphy, who was selected the league's coach of the year in 2011.   The team tied a single-season school record with 13 victories (13-7) in 2011, including 10-2 in conference play.  The Sabres advanced to the program's first conference championship game in 2011 as seven players earned All-NAC recognition. He has a 214-79-28 overall collegiate coaching record in 15 seasons. He earned his 200th career win in UWL's 6-2 victory at Millikin University (Ill.) on September 13, 2025. Murphy has served on the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Committee and on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee. He took over as Marian's (Wis.) Director of Athletics in 2011, overseeing and managing the NCAA Division III athletic department.  Murphy also served as an adjunct professor in the School of Education.  He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from UW-Stevens Point in 2004 and master's degree in exercise and sport science: sport administration from UWL in 2007. Murphy has earned his National and Advanced National coaching licenses from the NSCAA as well as his NSCAA State and Regional Goalkeeper licenses. Prior to becoming Marian's (Wis.) head coach, Murphy served as an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Chicago (Ill.) for two years and at UW-Stevens Point for two seasons.  He helped guide the University of Chicago (Ill.) to a 28-10-3 record as the Maroons qualified for the NCAA III Championships in both seasons.  Murphy helped lead UW-Stevens Point to an overall record of 31-8-5, including winning two WIAC tournament titles and making two appearances in the national championships. Murphy resides in La Crosse with his wife, Cindy, and two sons.  

Murphy Jason Murphy begins his third season as the UW-La Crosse head soccer coach in 2016.  The third head coach in school history, Murphy also serves as the facilities director for the intercollegiate athletics department.  He led UWL to its first appearance in school history in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championship in 2015 as the Eagles finished 12-7-2 overall.  UWL claimed a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) regular season title with a 5-1-1 league record.  The conference title was the second in school history (1996).  For his efforts, Murphy was named the 2015 WIAC Coach of the Year.  UWL's 12 overall victories in 2015 are tied for third in single-season school history.  The Eagles won a school record eight consecutive matches (September 20-October 17) in 2015.  UWL advanced to the WIAC Championship Semifinals. Eight student-athletes have earned All-WIAC honors in Murphy's first two seasons at UWL. Four players, Kourtni Alcock , Kennedy Brault , Alex Cording and Margaret Harings , were selected to the 2015 team.  Alcock was also named the 2015 WIAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, the second student-athlete in school history to earn the honor joining Saskia Taylor in 2012. Alcock and Harings were both named to the 2015 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-North Region for NCAA Division III.  Alcock was voted to the first team while Harings earned third team recognition.  Murphy is 17-15-7 overall and 8-3-4 in the WIAC in his first two seasons.  He led UWL to a 5-8-5 overall and 3-2-3 WIAC record in 2014.   Kirsten Anderson , Nicole Blaser , Kelly Denk and Ashley Tracy  were selected to the 2014 All-WIAC Team.  Denk was also named a co-recipient of the 2014 WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.  Murphy came to UWL after serving as head women's soccer coach and director of athletics at Marian University (Wis.).  He completed his fourth season as the Sabres' head coach in 2013.  Marian (Wis.) compiled a 33-12-2 Northern Athletic Conference (NAC) record under Murphy, who was selected the league's coach of the year in 2011.   The team tied a single-season school record with 13 victories (13-7) in 2011, including 10-2 in conference play.  The Sabres advanced to the program's first conference championship game in 2011 as seven players earned All-NAC recognition. Murphy has served on the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Committee and on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee. He took over as Marian's (Wis.) Director of Athletics in 2011, overseeing and managing the NCAA Division III athletic department.  Murphy also served as an adjunct professor in the School of Education.  He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from UW-Stevens Point in 2004 and master's degree in exercise and sport science: sport administration from UWL in 2007. Murphy has earned his National and Advanced National coaching licenses from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as well as his NSCAA State and Regional Goalkeeper licenses. He has served as a soccer staff coach since 2012 with the Wisconsin Olympic Development Program and has been involved with club soccer, coaching in the Women's Premier League (Under 23) with the Neenah Soccer Club and Fondy Soccer Club as well as being a college advisory coach with Rush WI West. Prior to becoming Marian's (Wis.) head coach, Murphy served as an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Chicago (Ill.) for two years and at UW-Stevens Point for two seasons.  He helped guide the University of Chicago (Ill.) to a 28-10-3 record as the Maroons qualified for the NCAA III Championships in both seasons.  Murphy helped lead UW-Stevens Point to an overall record of 31-8-5, including winning two WIAC tournament titles and making two appearances in the national championships. Murphy resides in La Crosse with his wife Cindy.   Jason Murphy Head Soccer Coach Twitter: CoachJMurphy Jason Murphy begins his third season as the UW-La Crosse head soccer coach in 2016.  The third head coach in school history, Murphy also serves as the facilities director for the intercollegiate athletics department.  He led UWL to its first appearance in school history in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championship in 2015 as the Eagles finished 12-7-2 overall.  UWL claimed a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) regular season title with a 5-1-1 league record.  The conference title was the second in school history (1996).  For his efforts, Murphy was named the 2015 WIAC Coach of the Year.  UWL's 12 overall victories in 2015 are tied for third in single-season school history.  The Eagles won a school record eight consecutive matches (September 20-October 17) in 2015.  UWL advanced to the WIAC Championship Semifinals. Eight student-athletes have earned All-WIAC honors in Murphy's first two seasons at UWL. Four players, Kourtni Alcock , Kennedy Brault , Alex Cording and Margaret Harings , were selected to the 2015 team.  Alcock was also named the 2015 WIAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, the second student-athlete in school history to earn the honor joining Saskia Taylor in 2012. Alcock and Harings were both named to the 2015 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-North Region for NCAA Division III.  Alcock was voted to the first team while Harings earned third team recognition.  Murphy is 17-15-7 overall and 8-3-4 in the WIAC in his first two seasons.  He led UWL to a 5-8-5 overall and 3-2-3 WIAC record in 2014.   Kirsten Anderson , Nicole Blaser , Kelly Denk and Ashley Tracy  were selected to the 2014 All-WIAC Team.  Denk was also named a co-recipient of the 2014 WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.  Murphy came to UWL after serving as head women's soccer coach and director of athletics at Marian University (Wis.).  He completed his fourth season as the Sabres' head coach in 2013.  Marian (Wis.) compiled a 33-12-2 Northern Athletic Conference (NAC) record under Murphy, who was selected the league's coach of the year in 2011.   The team tied a single-season school record with 13 victories (13-7) in 2011, including 10-2 in conference play.  The Sabres advanced to the program's first conference championship game in 2011 as seven players earned All-NAC recognition. Murphy has served on the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Committee and on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee. He took over as Marian's (Wis.) Director of Athletics in 2011, overseeing and managing the NCAA Division III athletic department.  Murphy also served as an adjunct professor in the School of Education.  He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from UW-Stevens Point in 2004 and master's degree in exercise and sport science: sport administration from UWL in 2007. Murphy has earned his National and Advanced National coaching licenses from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as well as his NSCAA State and Regional Goalkeeper licenses. He has served as a soccer staff coach since 2012 with the Wisconsin Olympic Development Program and has been involved with club soccer, coaching in the Women's Premier League (Under 23) with the Neenah Soccer Club and Fondy Soccer Club as well as being a college advisory coach with Rush WI West. Prior to becoming Marian's (Wis.) head coach, Murphy served as an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Chicago (Ill.) for two years and at UW-Stevens Point for two seasons.  He helped guide the University of Chicago (Ill.) to a 28-10-3 record as the Maroons qualified for the NCAA III Championships in both seasons.  Murphy helped lead UW-Stevens Point to an overall record of 31-8-5, including winning two WIAC tournament titles and making two appearances in the national championships. Murphy resides in La Crosse with his wife Cindy.  

Joe Czerniak begins his 13th season as an assistant coach with the UW-La Crosse soccer program in 2026.  He has helped guide the Eagles to eight (2015, 2017-18, 2021-25) trips to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Tournament.  The Eagles finished 19-3-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in 2025. UWL won the WIAC regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the NCAA Division III Second Round and earning an automatic bid to nationals. It was the Eagles' ninth straight appearance in the WIAC Tournament Championship game. UWL's 19 victories in 2025 are fourth in single-season school history. The Eagles set single-season school records for goals (103), assists (91) and shots (596) while recording their second-most shutouts (15).  UWL went 16-4-2 overall and 6-0-1 in the WIAC in 2024, winning the conference regular season and tournament title. UWL earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships.  The Eagles finished 20-1-2 overall and 7-0 in the WIAC in 2023, capturing the conference regular season and tournament title. UWL earned an automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships and advanced to the national quarterfinals. UWL's 20 victories in 2023 are tied for second-most in single-season school history. The Eagles finished seventh in the final 2023 United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll.  UWL finished 21-2-1 overall and 7-0 in the WIAC in 2022. The Eagles won their fifth regular-season conference title in school history.  UWL also captured the fourth league tournament crown in school history and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III Championships.  The Eagles' 21 wins in 2022 set a single-season school record, breaking the previous record of 20 in 2017.  UWL won 14 straight games in 2022, tying the school record in 2018.  The team recorded 14 shutouts, tied for the most in school history set in 2017. UWL finished ranked 13th in the final 2022 United Soccer Coaches Top-25 poll as well as on D3soccer.com.  UWL finished 16-4-4 overall and 6-1 in the WIAC in 2021, placing second in the conference tournament. The team advanced to the 2021 NCAA Division III Quarterfinals. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat.  The Eagles finished 12-7-3 overall in 2019 while advancing to the WIAC Tournament championship game for the fourth straight year. UWL finished 18-3-3 in 2018 and went to the third round of the national tournament, recording the second most wins in single-season school history while winning a school record 14 straight games. UWL finished 20-2-3 overall in 2017, setting a school record for victories and appearing in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals.  UWL won the 2018 WIAC regular-season title with a 6-0-1 record.  The Eagles also captured the conference tournament title with a 3-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships.  UWL earned its third regular-season conference title in school history in 2017 with a 7-0 league mark, finishing undefeated in WIAC play for the first time in school history.  The Eagles earned an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA III Championships after winning the WIAC Championship with a 4-3 shootout victory over UW-Whitewater.  Along with the school records for wins (20) and shutouts (14) in 2017, UWL set single-season school records for goals (65), assists (63), points (193) and shots (506). UWL earned the WIAC Coaching Staff of the Year Award in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024.  The Eagles were also selected the 2017, 2022 and 2023 United Soccer Coaches Region Staff of the Year. Prior to coming to UWL, Czerniak served as head boys and girls soccer coach at La Crosse (Wis.) Central High School for eight years. He continues as the girls head coach. Czerniak has recorded over 100 wins at Central, earning a Mississippi Valley Conference title in 2008.  He has been named the MVC Coach of the Year three times (2008, 2011, 2013).  Along with coaching, Czerniak has been a social studies teacher at La Crosse Central since 2006.   Czerniak currently serves as the Girls' Classic-1 Coach for the Mississippi Valley Storm Soccer Club (U-15, U-16, U-17 teams), a position he has held since 2011.  He obtained his National "D" License from the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association in 2007. He earned his bachelor's degree (2006) from UWL in broadfield social studies and his master's degree (2010) from the university in education and professional development. A 2001 graduate of West Bend (Wis.) East High School, Czerniak was a member of two (1999, 2000) Wisconsin Little Ten Conference championship teams. He served as a team captain in 2000, earning first team all-conference and honorable mention all-Southeastern Wisconsin accolades. Czerniak was named the 2001 Wisconsin Collegiate Conference Player of the Year while attending University of Wisconsin-Washington County.

Hirsch begins her fourth season as an assistant coach for the UW-La Crosse soccer program in 2016, working with all aspects of the Eagles' program.  She is also in her second year as the assistant facilities director for the intercollegiate athletics department, assisting with the daily operation of all athletics facilities and managing scheduling. The university and Wisconsin Rush West have partnered to make Hirsch the first full-time assistant soccer coach at UWL.  She is the Director of Coaching for Rush Wisconsin West and Coulee Region United Soccer Association (CRUSA) and manages all coaches, programing, and player development. Hirsch earned one of 30 positions, including one of 15 women, in the 2015-16 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 30 Under 30 program.  The group of coaches come from every level of the game, from youth through professional ranks.  The program is designed to give the participants exposure to the NSCAA membership, and the opportunity to take advantage of educational offerings, such as courses, the NSCAA Convention, and the Summer Symposium. A four-year soccer varsity letter winner at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Hirsch was on four Horizon League Conference championship teams (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). The Panthers also won three tournament titles (2008, 2009, 2010) and earned bids to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Tournament. A member of the Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll for four years (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), Hirsch earned UW-Milwaukee's Iron Man Award in 2010. Hirsch earned her bachelor's degree in communication and political science from UW-Milwaukee in 2011 and her master's degree in athletic administration from Ohio University in 2014. She is now pursuing a teaching license in special education.  A four-year varsity letter winner at Brookfield (Wis.) Central High School, Hirsch earned all-state and all-conference honors.  She was a two-year team captain and led the squad in goals all four years.  Hirsch was a member of two state title teams (2004, 2005) and four league champion squads (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) at Brookfield Central.  She played club soccer for Brookfield Soccer and FC Milwaukee Nationals.  Hirsch has coached club soccer for Mississippi Valley Storm Soccer Club and Brookfield Soccer Association. She also has coached for multiple high schools in the state including La Crosse (Wis.) Central, Brookfield (Wis.) East, Brookfield (Wis.) Central, and Whitefish Bay (Wis.).  She currently holds an USSF National C coaching license. Nicole Hirsch  begins her fourth season as an assistant coach for the UW-La Crosse soccer program in 2016, working with all aspects of the Eagles' program.  She is also in her second year as the assistant facilities director for the intercollegiate athletics department, assisting with the daily operation of all athletics facilities and managing scheduling. The university and Wisconsin Rush West have partnered to make Hirsch the first full-time assistant soccer coach at UWL.  She is the Director of Coaching for Rush Wisconsin West and Coulee Region United Soccer Association (CRUSA) and manages all coaches, programing, and player development. Hirsch earned one of 30 positions, including one of 15 women, in the 2015-16 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 30 Under 30 program.  The group of coaches come from every level of the game, from youth through professional ranks.  The program is designed to give the participants exposure to the NSCAA membership, and the opportunity to take advantage of educational offerings, such as courses, the NSCAA Convention, and the Summer Symposium. A four-year soccer varsity letter winner at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Hirsch was on four Horizon League Conference championship teams (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). The Panthers also won three tournament titles (2008, 2009, 2010) and earned bids to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Tournament. A member of the Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll for four years (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), Hirsch earned UW-Milwaukee's Iron Man Award in 2010. Hirsch earned her bachelor's degree in communication and political science from UW-Milwaukee in 2011 and her master's degree in athletic administration from Ohio University in 2014. She is now pursuing a teaching license in special education.  A four-year varsity letter winner at Brookfield (Wis.) Central High School, Hirsch earned all-state and all-conference honors.  She was a two-year team captain and led the squad in goals all four years.  Hirsch was a member of two state title teams (2004, 2005) and four league champion squads (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) at Brookfield Central.  She played club soccer for Brookfield Soccer and FC Milwaukee Nationals.  Hirsch has coached club soccer for Mississippi Valley Storm Soccer Club and Brookfield Soccer Association. She also has coached for multiple high schools in the state including La Crosse (Wis.) Central, Brookfield (Wis.) East, Brookfield (Wis.) Central, and Whitefish Bay (Wis.).  She currently holds an USSF National C coaching license.

Ellie Arndt starts her second season as an assistant soccer coach at UW-La Crosse in 2026. She also serves as the assistant to the business manager for athletics. The Eagles finished 19-3-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in 2025. UWL won the WIAC regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Second Round. UWL's 19 victories are fourth in single-season school history. The Eagles set single-season school records for goals (103), assists (91) and shots (596) while recording their second-most shutouts (15).    A four-year letter winner at UWL, Arndt was a three-time United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-America for the Eagles. She earned All-America Second Team honors in 2022 and was an All-America First Team selection in 2023 and 2024. Arndt was named to the 2022, 2023 and 2024 United Soccer Coaches Region IX First Team. She was also a 2022 D3soccer.com All-America Third Team choice.   Arndt played in 90 career games at UWL, including 84 starts. She ranks second in school history in assists (26) and sixth in shots (215). Arndt finished with 16 career goals and 58 career points.  Named to the 2022, 2023 and 2024 All-WIAC First Team, Arndt was voted to the 2023 and 2024 WIAC Offensive Player o the Year. She started all 22 games in 2024, leading UWL in assists (10) and shots (64) while finishing tied for second in shots on goal (23), fourth in points (18) and tied for fifth in goals (4). Arndt ranked second in the WIAC in assists, fifth in shots and eighth in points.    Majoring in archeology and recreation management with a 3.97 cumulative grade point average, Arndt was voted the 2024 WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete in soccer. She was a four-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and was named the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year. Arndt earned United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Scholar All-America First Team accolades in 2023 and 2024 while being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North/Central Region Scholar First Team.    Voted to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) NCAA Division III Academic All-America® Second Team, Arndt was a two-year (2023, 2024) CSC Academic All-District® selection.   She was a member of UWL's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and volunteered for Steppin' Out in Pink and with the UWL Vanguard Organization.

Ryan Raufus is in his second season as an assistant soccer coach at UW-La Crosse in 2026. The coaching position is in partnership with Rush Wisconsin West, where Raufus will serve as their Director of Coaching. Rush WI West is a local youth soccer program committed to providing an unrivaled soccer experience for players of all abilities and age levels.  The Eagles finished 19-3-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in 2025. UWL won the WIAC regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Second Round. UWL's 19 victories are fourth in single-season school history. The Eagles set single-season school records for goals (103), assists (91) and shots (596) while recording their second-most shutouts (15).    Raufus joined UWL after serving as head women's soccer coach at UW-Stout from 2011-24. He is the school's all-time leader with 78 wins with the Blue Devils ranked in the top-10 regionally four different seasons.   UW-Stout had 17 players named to the All-WIAC Team under Raufus as well as one United Soccer Coaches All-America selection and four all-region honorees.   Raufus also served as an instructor at UW-Stout from 2012-18 and assistant intramural coordinator from 2013-22.   He was head girls' soccer coach at La Crescent (Minn.) High School from 2004-10 and head coach at La Crosse (Wis.) Logan High School from 2002-10 before being named head coach at UW-Stout.   A native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Raufus earned his bachelor's degree in athletic training from Springfield College (Mass.) in 1999 and master's degree in physical education from UWL in 2010. He was a four-year soccer player at Springfield (Mass.).   Other coaching experience includes Coulee Region Minnesota Head Girls and Boys Coach (2006-10), Woodbury (Minn.) Head Girls Coach (2015-18) and Salvo Soccer Club (Minn.) Head Girls Coach (2021-25).   He holds the United Soccer Coach Advanced National Coaching License.  

Ochsenwald starts her second year as an assistant coach for the UW-La Crosse soccer team in 2016.  A four-year letter winner for the Eagles, Ochsenwald played in 57 matches, including 37 starts from 2010-13.  She tallied ten goals and nine assists in her career for 29 points.  Ochsenwald recorded three match-winning goals in her career.   She led UWL with three assists as a sophomore in 2011 and tied for the team lead with four goals her senior season in 2013.  Ochsenwald played in all 18 matches as a senior with 17 starts.  Along with tying for the team lead in goals (four), she led the Eagles in points (12) and ranked second in assists (four).   A native of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Ochsenwald earned three letters in soccer at Cedarburg High School.  She was a member of the regional championship team in 2009 and 2010 and earned scholar-athlete honors.  A member of the National Honor Society, Ochsenwald graduated cum laude.   She earned her bachelor's degree from UWL in December 2014 in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in fitness and a minor in nutrition.  Ochsenwald is currently pursuing her master's degree in human performance at UWL with an emphasis in strength and conditioning.  She is also a graduate assistant within the sports performance program.   Jamie Ochsenwald Assistant Soccer Coach Twitter: Jamie Ochsenwald starts her second year as an assistant coach for the UW-La Crosse soccer team in 2016.  A four-year letter winner for the Eagles, Ochsenwald played in 57 matches, including 37 starts from 2010-13.  She tallied ten goals and nine assists in her career for 29 points.  Ochsenwald recorded three match-winning goals in her career.   She led UWL with three assists as a sophomore in 2011 and tied for the team lead with four goals her senior season in 2013.  Ochsenwald played in all 18 matches as a senior with 17 starts.  Along with tying for the team lead in goals (four), she led the Eagles in points (12) and ranked second in assists (four).   A native of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Ochsenwald earned three letters in soccer at Cedarburg High School.  She was a member of the regional championship team in 2009 and 2010 and earned scholar-athlete honors.  A member of the National Honor Society, Ochsenwald graduated cum laude.   She earned her bachelor's degree from UWL in December 2014 in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in fitness and a minor in nutrition.  Ochsenwald is currently pursuing her master's degree in human performance at UWL with an emphasis in strength and conditioning.  She is also a graduate assistant within the sports performance program.