University of Southern Indiana Athletics announced the hiring of Eric Schoenstein as the women’s soccer head coach. Schoenstein, who was elevated from interim head coach, becomes the fourth head coach in the history of the program, replacing Krissy Engelbrecht, who resigned in November.
“Eric has shown the passion to succeed as an interim head coach over the last three months,” said Jon Mark Hall, USI Director of Athletics. “I have full confidence that our young women will become both better people and champions under Eric’s leadership.”
No stranger to the USI soccer program before joining the Athletic staff in 2014, Schoenstein playing a pivotal role during the Screaming Eagles’ dominance of the Great Lakes Valley Conference with the Eagles winning league titles in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991. He was a senior captain in 1991, earned All-Region honors 1988, was a three-time All-GLVC award winner (1988, 1990, 1991), and finished his career on the 1991 Academic All-GLVC squad. The Evansville, Indiana, native is still among the all-time leaders at USI, ranking third in goals scored (34); fifth in assists (22); and third in total points (90).
“The opportunity to be the women’s head coach is a dream come true,” said Schoenstein. “USI is an amazing university and I am looking forward to coaching a great group of student athletes.”
Schoenstein, who was selected as the first full-time women’s soccer assistant coach in February of 2014, has been a mainstay in the Evansville soccer community since the 1980s. He became a part of the USI coaching staff after serving as the Sporting Southern Indiana (formerly Southwest Indiana Soccer Association) Director of Coaching and Player Development since 2002. He was named the 2013 Indiana Girls Travel Coach of the Year and was the 2008 Indiana Director of Coach Award winner.
During his tenure with Sporting Southern Indiana, Schoenstein enlarged the club from 12 to 32 teams, growing the recruiting base from 200 to 600 players.
Schoenstein compiled a record of 269-80-60 as the head coach of the SWISA Rush U-18 Girls, earning a number one ranking in Indiana, and the SWISA Crush U-17 Girls. He also directed the U-18 squad to four state finals, to the 2012 Midwest Region 2 semifinals, and the 2009 Midwest Regional League championship.
The U-17 team earned a number two ranking in Indiana under Schoenstein’s direction and won the 2013 Indiana State Cup title.
