Women's Soccer
Erickson, Bruce
Bruce Erickson
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- bruce.erickson@uni.edu
- Phone:
- 273-5425
Erickson completed his eighth season as the Panthers head women’s soccer coach in 2024 after taking over the job on Feb. 10, 2017. He is the sixth head coach in program history after serving as the head women’s soccer coach at Wayne State (Neb.) for two years and prior to that was the head women’s soccer coach at Creighton University from 1999-2014. He also spent six seasons as the head men’s soccer coach at Viterbo University. In 30 years as a head coach at the collegiate level, Erickson has compiled an overall record of 303-236-60.
Northern Iowa posted its fourth season with at least nine wins in 2024 under Erickson, finishing with a 9-6-3 record and tying for fifth in the MVC standings for the program's seventh conference tournament appearance since 2017. Rattling off four straight wins in late August and early September, the Panthers would go on to record a 4-3-3 mark in league play to surpass 50 all-time MVC wins in team history before falling to Illinois State in the opening round of the MVC Tournament. Notably, senior forward Lauren Heinsch set new career program records for goals scores, matches with a goal, matches with a point, shots, shots on goal, matches played and matches started, becoming the first player in UNI history to earn three First Team All-MVC Team nods, as well as the program's first-ever CSC Academic All-American. Olivia Bohl, Maddie Eastus and Olivia Knoepfle all earned Second Team All-MVC honors, while Ella Anliker was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team and Sophia Balistreri to the MVC All-Tournament Team.
Leading UNI in the 2023 campaign, Erickson’s squad posted the second-most wins in program history with a 13-5-1 record, including the first unbeaten home record (5-0) and first unbeaten non-conference schedule in team history (7-0-1). The Panthers set several single-match, single-season and career record throughout the year, including Ashley Harrington breaking the program’s all-time assists record, team goals in a single half, team shot attempts in a half and total shots in a game. Northern Iowa finished third in the MVC standings with a 6-4 record and hosted first and second round tournament matches at the UNI Soccer Field for the first time in the facility’s history, falling to Valparaiso in the second round. Five total Panthers earned All-MVC honors, including Olivia Knoepfle and Lauren Heinsch becoming the first UNI duo to earn First Team All-MVC recognition in the same season. The pairing were also named to the United Soccer Coaches’ All-Region Team.
In the 2022 season, the Panthers finished with a 6-6-8 record while making it to the MVC Tournament Semifinal round for the first time since 2017. UNI ended the season with 23 goals, 16 assists, 91 saves, 261 shots, and 122 shots on goal. During the 2022 season, Erickson became UNI Soccer’s all-time wins leader as a Head Coach with 43 wins over six seasons. Along with the Panthers best postseason finish in over five years, multiple UNI players earned postseason accomplishments. Forward Lauren Heinsch was named to the All-MVC First Team, the MVC Scholar Athlete of the Year, CSC Academic-All District, and the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Third Team. Freshman midfielder Caroline Hazen was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team while senior midfielder Lizzie Mewes made the MVC All-Tournament Team and the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team. Junior goalkeeper Caitlin Richards was also named to the MVC All-Tournament Team along with the CSC All-District Team.
During the fall 2021 season UNI rebounded from a tough year in the spring of 2021. In their first full season since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panthers made only their second appearance in the MVC Tournament since 2018. UNI ended the season with a record of 6-10-2 while hosting the first round of the MVC Tournament at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. The 2021 season also marked the first full season where the Panthers competed on a new home field, returning to UNI’s campus for the first time in program history. UNI wrapped up the year with 24 goals, 16 assists, 56 saves, 234 shots, and 120 shots on goal. Five Panthers earned postseason honors including three All-MVC Second Team athletes in defender Sandra Thiman, forward Lauren Heinsch, and forward Ashley Harrington and two honorable mention athletes in forward Johnnie Hill and midfielder Siri Ott. Thiman was also named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team while Ott was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team.
In the spring 2021 season, UNI faced only fellow Missouri Valley Conference Teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the shortened season, the Panthers ended with a 4-4-3 record and faced Illinois State in the first round of the MVC Tournament. Statistically UNI ended the year with nine goals, four assists, 40 saves, 105 shots, and 48 shots on goal. During the spring 2021 season, five Panthers made All-MVC Teams as Sandra Thiman and Lauren Heinsch made the All-MVC Second Team while Caitlin Richards, Allison Whitaker, and Lizzie Mewes earned honorable mentions. Heinsch was also named to the All-Freshman team for her first eason with UNI.
During the 2019 season, the Panthers finished with a 5-11 record. The Panthers finished with 23 goals, 19 assists and 92 shots on goal. Jordyn Rolli was named a Second Team All-MVC performer while Lizzie Mewes made the MVC All-Freshman Team. Sydney Hayden capped off her career with a First Team Scholar Athlete honor, Jordyn Rolli landed as a First Team Scholar Athlete for the first time in her career. Team was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
In 2018, Erickson led the Panthers to a 2nd straight winning season and a 9-7-3 overall record. The team set records for most goals in a game (10), assists in a game (8), and points in a game (28). The single-season mark for shots on goal was set at 134. Four team members earned spots on the MVC Scholar-Athlete team following the season. Hannah McDevitt became the all-time career leader in assists (12) and games played (79). Brynell Yount recorded eight career game-winning goals and goal keeper Jami Reichenberger extended her mark for career shutouts to 18. Team was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
In his first season at the helm of the UNI women’s soccer program, Erickson guided the Panthers to their best season in program history with a school record 14 victories and their first appearance in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game. The team set single-season marks in points (97), goals (34), goals per game (1.70), assists (29), shots (309), shots on goal (142) and shutouts (11).
Brynell Yount set the UNI single-season records for goals (11) and points (24). Yount earned First-Team All-MVC honor and was named to the United Soccer Coaches’ Third-Team All-Midwest Region squad. Goalkeeper Jami Reichenberger set the MVC and program single-season record for shutouts (11). Sydney Hayden received the MVC’s Elite 17 Award at the conference tournament. Team was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
Erickson guided Wayne State to nine victories in 2016, the most wins for the NCAA Division II program since the 2006 season. In 2016, Wayne State was Regionally Ranked by the NSCAA for the first time, reaching as high as 9th in the Central Region. In each season he was at Wayne State, the Wildcats earned the NSCAA team academic award.
At Creighton, Erickson was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year (2002, 2010) and helped guide the Bluejays to five Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championships, two Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championships and led Creighton to five NCAA Tournament appearances (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010). Erickson ended his 16-year tenure at Creighton as the winningest coach in school history with a record of 163-125-32.
Erickson was a NLCAA All-American Goalkeeper and Team Captain at Viterbo University. He is a 2001 member of the schools Hall of Fame as a player and 4-Time Coach of the Year (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998).
Erickson served as the head men’s soccer coach at Viterbo University from 1993-98 and spent three years as director of athletics from 1995-98. He helped instill a winning soccer tradition at the NAIA school, as the V-Hawks were consistently nationally ranked during his tenure. He also was responsible for starting and coaching the inaugural Viterbo women’s soccer team in 1995.
While at the helm of the V-Hawk men’s squad, Erickson compiled an overall record of 69-46-6 (.595), which included five winning campaigns. He led Viterbo to three Midwest Classic Conference championships and one NAIA district title. He also earned league Coach of the Year four times and was named both league and NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1993.
Erickson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial organizational psychology from Viterbo University in 1990. Erickson has three children – Emma, Olivia and Noah. Erickson resides in Cedar Falls with his wife Jeena.
* Season played in spring 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
# Career record includes a 69-46-6 record as Viterbo men's coach (1993-98)
^ Coached in Midwest Classic Conference
% Coached in Big East Conference
$ Coached in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Northern Iowa posted its fourth season with at least nine wins in 2024 under Erickson, finishing with a 9-6-3 record and tying for fifth in the MVC standings for the program's seventh conference tournament appearance since 2017. Rattling off four straight wins in late August and early September, the Panthers would go on to record a 4-3-3 mark in league play to surpass 50 all-time MVC wins in team history before falling to Illinois State in the opening round of the MVC Tournament. Notably, senior forward Lauren Heinsch set new career program records for goals scores, matches with a goal, matches with a point, shots, shots on goal, matches played and matches started, becoming the first player in UNI history to earn three First Team All-MVC Team nods, as well as the program's first-ever CSC Academic All-American. Olivia Bohl, Maddie Eastus and Olivia Knoepfle all earned Second Team All-MVC honors, while Ella Anliker was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team and Sophia Balistreri to the MVC All-Tournament Team.
Leading UNI in the 2023 campaign, Erickson’s squad posted the second-most wins in program history with a 13-5-1 record, including the first unbeaten home record (5-0) and first unbeaten non-conference schedule in team history (7-0-1). The Panthers set several single-match, single-season and career record throughout the year, including Ashley Harrington breaking the program’s all-time assists record, team goals in a single half, team shot attempts in a half and total shots in a game. Northern Iowa finished third in the MVC standings with a 6-4 record and hosted first and second round tournament matches at the UNI Soccer Field for the first time in the facility’s history, falling to Valparaiso in the second round. Five total Panthers earned All-MVC honors, including Olivia Knoepfle and Lauren Heinsch becoming the first UNI duo to earn First Team All-MVC recognition in the same season. The pairing were also named to the United Soccer Coaches’ All-Region Team.
In the 2022 season, the Panthers finished with a 6-6-8 record while making it to the MVC Tournament Semifinal round for the first time since 2017. UNI ended the season with 23 goals, 16 assists, 91 saves, 261 shots, and 122 shots on goal. During the 2022 season, Erickson became UNI Soccer’s all-time wins leader as a Head Coach with 43 wins over six seasons. Along with the Panthers best postseason finish in over five years, multiple UNI players earned postseason accomplishments. Forward Lauren Heinsch was named to the All-MVC First Team, the MVC Scholar Athlete of the Year, CSC Academic-All District, and the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Third Team. Freshman midfielder Caroline Hazen was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team while senior midfielder Lizzie Mewes made the MVC All-Tournament Team and the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team. Junior goalkeeper Caitlin Richards was also named to the MVC All-Tournament Team along with the CSC All-District Team.
During the fall 2021 season UNI rebounded from a tough year in the spring of 2021. In their first full season since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panthers made only their second appearance in the MVC Tournament since 2018. UNI ended the season with a record of 6-10-2 while hosting the first round of the MVC Tournament at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. The 2021 season also marked the first full season where the Panthers competed on a new home field, returning to UNI’s campus for the first time in program history. UNI wrapped up the year with 24 goals, 16 assists, 56 saves, 234 shots, and 120 shots on goal. Five Panthers earned postseason honors including three All-MVC Second Team athletes in defender Sandra Thiman, forward Lauren Heinsch, and forward Ashley Harrington and two honorable mention athletes in forward Johnnie Hill and midfielder Siri Ott. Thiman was also named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team while Ott was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team.
In the spring 2021 season, UNI faced only fellow Missouri Valley Conference Teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the shortened season, the Panthers ended with a 4-4-3 record and faced Illinois State in the first round of the MVC Tournament. Statistically UNI ended the year with nine goals, four assists, 40 saves, 105 shots, and 48 shots on goal. During the spring 2021 season, five Panthers made All-MVC Teams as Sandra Thiman and Lauren Heinsch made the All-MVC Second Team while Caitlin Richards, Allison Whitaker, and Lizzie Mewes earned honorable mentions. Heinsch was also named to the All-Freshman team for her first eason with UNI.
During the 2019 season, the Panthers finished with a 5-11 record. The Panthers finished with 23 goals, 19 assists and 92 shots on goal. Jordyn Rolli was named a Second Team All-MVC performer while Lizzie Mewes made the MVC All-Freshman Team. Sydney Hayden capped off her career with a First Team Scholar Athlete honor, Jordyn Rolli landed as a First Team Scholar Athlete for the first time in her career. Team was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
In 2018, Erickson led the Panthers to a 2nd straight winning season and a 9-7-3 overall record. The team set records for most goals in a game (10), assists in a game (8), and points in a game (28). The single-season mark for shots on goal was set at 134. Four team members earned spots on the MVC Scholar-Athlete team following the season. Hannah McDevitt became the all-time career leader in assists (12) and games played (79). Brynell Yount recorded eight career game-winning goals and goal keeper Jami Reichenberger extended her mark for career shutouts to 18. Team was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
In his first season at the helm of the UNI women’s soccer program, Erickson guided the Panthers to their best season in program history with a school record 14 victories and their first appearance in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game. The team set single-season marks in points (97), goals (34), goals per game (1.70), assists (29), shots (309), shots on goal (142) and shutouts (11).
Brynell Yount set the UNI single-season records for goals (11) and points (24). Yount earned First-Team All-MVC honor and was named to the United Soccer Coaches’ Third-Team All-Midwest Region squad. Goalkeeper Jami Reichenberger set the MVC and program single-season record for shutouts (11). Sydney Hayden received the MVC’s Elite 17 Award at the conference tournament. Team was awarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
Erickson guided Wayne State to nine victories in 2016, the most wins for the NCAA Division II program since the 2006 season. In 2016, Wayne State was Regionally Ranked by the NSCAA for the first time, reaching as high as 9th in the Central Region. In each season he was at Wayne State, the Wildcats earned the NSCAA team academic award.
At Creighton, Erickson was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year (2002, 2010) and helped guide the Bluejays to five Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championships, two Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championships and led Creighton to five NCAA Tournament appearances (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010). Erickson ended his 16-year tenure at Creighton as the winningest coach in school history with a record of 163-125-32.
Erickson was a NLCAA All-American Goalkeeper and Team Captain at Viterbo University. He is a 2001 member of the schools Hall of Fame as a player and 4-Time Coach of the Year (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998).
Erickson served as the head men’s soccer coach at Viterbo University from 1993-98 and spent three years as director of athletics from 1995-98. He helped instill a winning soccer tradition at the NAIA school, as the V-Hawks were consistently nationally ranked during his tenure. He also was responsible for starting and coaching the inaugural Viterbo women’s soccer team in 1995.
While at the helm of the V-Hawk men’s squad, Erickson compiled an overall record of 69-46-6 (.595), which included five winning campaigns. He led Viterbo to three Midwest Classic Conference championships and one NAIA district title. He also earned league Coach of the Year four times and was named both league and NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1993.
Erickson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial organizational psychology from Viterbo University in 1990. Erickson has three children – Emma, Olivia and Noah. Erickson resides in Cedar Falls with his wife Jeena.
THE ERICKSON FILE (Women's Teams Only)
| YEAR | SCHOOL | RECORD | CONFERENCE | POSTSEASON |
| 1995 | Viterbo | 1-15-0 | 0-4 ^ | ---- |
| 1999 | Creighton | 7-13-1 | 2-3-0 (4th) | MVC Tournament Semifinals |
| 2000 | Creighton | 9-11-0 | 4-3-0 (4th) | MVC Tournament Semifinals |
| 2001 | Creighton | 12-8-0 | 4-2-0 (3rd) | MVC Tournament Semifinals |
| 2002 | Creighton | 12-8-2 | 6-0-1 (1st) | MVC Tournament Champions / NCAA First Round |
| 2003 | Creighton | 11-6-4 | 3-3-1 (5th) | MVC Tournament Runner-Up |
| 2004 | Creighton | 9-8-4 | 3-1-3 (2nd) | MVC Tournament Champions / NCAA First Round |
| 2005 | Creighton | 12-6-3 | 4-2-0 (2nd) | MVC Tournament Champions / NCAA First Round |
| 2006 | Creighton | 9-8-2 | 3-2-1 (2nd) | MVC Tournament Semfinals |
| 2007 | Creighton | 11-8-2 | 3-2-1 (3rd) | MVC Tournament Champions / NCAA First Round |
| 2008 | Creighton | 12-6-1 | 3-3-0 (4th) | MVC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2009 | Creighton | 13-6-2 | 3-2-1 (3rd) | MVC Tournament Runner-Up |
| 2010 | Creighton | 15-4-2 | 5-1-0 (1st) | MVC Tournament Champions / NCAA First Round |
| 2011 | Creighton | 9-6-3 | 4-1-1 (3rd) | MVC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2012 | Creighton | 3-13-3 | 0-6-0 (7th) | ----- |
| 2013 | Creighton | 9-8-1 | 2-6-1 (9th) % | ----- |
| 2014 | Creighton | 10-6-2 | 2-5-2 (7th) % | ----- |
| 2015 | Wayne State | 4-11-3 | 4-10-1 (12th) $ | ----- |
| 2016 | Wayne State | 9-6-3 | 6-6-3 (9th) $ | ----- |
| 2017 | UNI | 14-5-1 | 4-3-0 (4th) | MVC Tournament Runner-Up |
| 2018 | UNI | 8-7-3 | 4-3-0 (4th) | MVC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2019 | UNI | 5-11-0 | 1-6-0 (8th) | ----- |
| 2020* | UNI | 4-4-3 | 4-4-1 (4th) | MVC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2021 | UNI | 6-10-2 | 3-4-1 (4th) | MVC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2022 | UNI | 6-6-8 | 2-2-6 (6th) | MVC Tournament Semifinals |
| 2023 | UNI | 13-5-1 | 6-4-0 (3rd) | MVC Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2024 | UNI | 9-6-3 | 4-3-3 (T5th) | MVC Tournament Opening Round |
| TOTAL | 312-242-63 # | 88-80-24 0-4 (MCC at Viterbo) 46-31-9 (MVC at Creighton) 10-16-4 (NSIC at Wayne State) 32-29-11 (MVC at UNI) |
* Season played in spring 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
# Career record includes a 69-46-6 record as Viterbo men's coach (1993-98)
^ Coached in Midwest Classic Conference
% Coached in Big East Conference
$ Coached in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
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