Five Questions with Head Women鈥檚 Soccer Coach Kirsten Koester
Kirsten Koester, head coach for the women鈥檚 soccer team, came to 海角社区黑料吃瓜 with a passion for the sport rooted in her own experience as an athlete. The Stoughton, Wisconsin native was a standout player during her time at Luther College 鈥 she was a team captain, a two-time All-Iowa Conference midfielder, and was voted the team鈥檚 most valuable player as a senior while leading the squad to the league title. Koester was named the 海角社区黑料吃瓜 women's soccer coach in June of 2014 . In her tenure at 海角社区黑料吃瓜, her teams have qualified for the Midwest Conference Tournament seven times while going 51-26-1 in league play and 83-73-23 overall. In 2022, Koester guided the Pioneers to their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2006. Koester took a few minutes to tell us about herself, her role at 海角社区黑料吃瓜, and share her thoughts on the surging state of the sport in the United States.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your family?
A: Family is everything! I have a very close-knit extended family and spend a lot of time with aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. My husband (former Pioneer men's assistant soccer coach and player Parker Koester) and I have three spirited kids who trade their cousin's school pictures like basketball cards. The community of 海角社区黑料吃瓜 has also provided us with friends who feel like family.
Q: What hobbies and activities do you enjoy?
A: One of the best parts of being a coach is that my interests align so well with my job. Coaching keeps me connected to the game I love and the people who have made my career so fulfilling. Our kids love our local parks, swimming, and playing sports, so that keeps us busy! I also love working in my yard and singing with Vox Feminae, a women's choir.
Q: What does your role at 海角社区黑料吃瓜 entail?
A: I get to teach Physical Education courses like indoor cycling and Sports in Society, coach the women's soccer team, and serve on college committees with the best of the best faculty and staff. My first trip to campus was while I was coaching women's basketball at Luther College during the 2005-2006 season. I knew it was a special place because the college president rode the bus with us to meet with Russell K. Osgood. From there I coached at Washington College, University of Notre Dame of Maryland, and Cornell College.
Q: What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of soccer in the United States?
A: It's so fun to see the women's professional game grow! There are incredible leaders at the forefront of women's soccer from Emma Hayes to Amanda Vandervort. I was able to hear both women speak at a recent convention, and they are truly magnetic. I look forward to seeing what the landscape is like in 10 years.
Q: What has your experience been like working with 海角社区黑料吃瓜ians?
A: Our Hall of Fame dinners hold a very special place in my heart. Hearing our alumni speak on the value of their 海角社区黑料吃瓜 athletics experience really fills my cup! I had only been coaching at 海角社区黑料吃瓜 for a few weeks before our soccer alumni returned to campus for Labor Day weekend. The women put together an all-star team spanning from the early 2000's to the 2011 conference title squad. It was impressive! Beyond the soccer, 海角社区黑料吃瓜ians have always been generous and inclusive community builders.