NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's soccer program has added Marisa Kresge to its staff as a volunteer assistant coach, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Eric Golz.
Kresge graduated from Wisconsin in May with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, physical education and adapted physical education, after playing three years for the Badgers. The Severna Park, Maryland, native started her collegiate career at Maryland, where she played her freshman season.
"We are excited to add Marisa as our volunteer assistant coach," Golz said. "She has had a great career as a student-athlete at both the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin, and her experiences will bring a lot of value to our program. I have coached Marisa and coached against her, so I have seen firsthand the positive influence she has had in helping to create a championship culture. She has a passion for the game, a great soccer IQ, an infectious energy and has always known that she wanted to coach following her graduation. We are excited that she is starting her career here at Illinois State."
Kresge started 19 of 20 matches during her senior season and was the team captain while being selected Academic All-Big Ten for the second year in a row. Academically, she was named to the UW Madison School of Education Dean's List in 2014 and to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2011. Kresge was also the recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2013 and a member of the Leadership Group at Wisconsin in 2015.
During her time in Madison, Kresge assisted in leading and changing the culture of the program, which won the Big Ten Tournament in 2014 and the regular season title in 2015. She finished her career with seven goals, including one game winner, and a pair of assists.
Kresge has coaching experience with the Verona Soccer Club. She was recently the head bench boss for the U11 and U12 girls' teams and was also the assistant coach for the U11 girls' team and the U12 boys' team while coaching a skills clinic ranging from U6 -U15. Kresge coached at Wisconsin and Maryland's soccer camps as well and was in charge of the day camp at Maryland for three years. She obtained her US Soccer Federation National "D" License in July 2015.
Before graduating from Wisconsin, Kresge completed her student teaching at both Arboretum Elementary School in Waunakee, Wisconsin, and Oregon High School in Oregon, Wisconsin, teaching for two nine-week periods. She was responsible teaching all classes in the teacher's schedule in addition to creating and teaching over 15 units that focused on student's psychomotor, cognitive and affective development.
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