SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield has announced that Erin Egolf will be the third head women's soccer coach in Prairie Star history. Egolf was tabbed as the interim head coach for the 2016 season after the previous coach left college athletics in June of this year.

"After completing a nationwide search for the next women's soccer coach, the entire search committee and myself felt strongly that Erin was the best possible fit for us to continue our quest for GLVC championships," said Director of Athletics, Jim Sarra. "What she was able to accomplish on the field this season showed just a glimpse of what the future can hold and we couldn't be more excited to have one of our most decorated women's soccer alumni taking us where we want to go."

Egolf has been a part of the program since 2010, when she was a three-time All-GLVC selection for UIS. Upon graduating UIS and rewriting the record books for UIS women's soccer, Egolf joined the staff and served as the head assistant coach for the next three seasons before taking over in 2016.

Sarra added, "Erin is also a great advocate for our three objectives: enhancing the student-athlete experience, winning championships, and engaging the community. In her time thus far running the program, she has been out in the community and been a first-rate example of what we expect from our head coaches."

In her first season at the helm of the program, Egolf led the Prairie Stars to the best season UIS women's soccer has ever seen. The Prairie Stars set a record for wins in a season (7) and tied the mark for GLVC wins (4). She also led the Prairie Stars into the top-four ranks in Prairie Star history in points, goals, assists, and shots in the 2016 campaign.

"I want to thank Jim and the entire search committee for giving me this opportunity to continue to lead my alma mater," said Egolf. "It really is the opportunity of a lifetime to become the head coach at a place that means so much to me and I can't wait to continue giving back to a program and community that has already given me so much. The team has been very supportive over the past couple months and dealt very well with the uncertainty. Now we can focus on creating more success for the program and winning conference championships."