TOLEDO, OH - Eric Steege has been named assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Toledo, Head Coach Brad Evans announced today.

"We're extremely fortunate to have Eric join our staff," Evans said. "His experience and background are going to be of great value to me and our players, and we are excited to have him join our program."

Steege comes to Toledo after one season as the Head Men's Coach at Westminster College, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NCAA Division III program, including overseeing and recruiting a diverse 28-player roster (student-athletes from nine countries and five states), schedule coordination, budget management, on-field coaching, practice design, fundraising, marketing and parent/alumni relations.

Prior to that, Steege was a volunteer assistant with the West Virginia men's squad, working with 2006 Big East Conference and NCAA Soccer America Coach of the Year Marlon LeBlanc. His duties with the Mountaineers included on-field coaching, practice design, goalkeeper training, match-game analysis and video production. Steege was a member of the 2007 WVU staff that was nationally ranked for the length of season, posting a 14-6-2 record and reaching the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Tournament. Steege also found time in his busy schedule to continue his education and earned his master's degree in psychology in May 2009.

Steege also worked at Edgewood College as a women's assistant coach from 2006-07. He learned from 12-time Lakes Michigan Conference Coach of the Year Tim Alexander and assisted with on-field coaching duties, practice design, strength and conditioning programs, scouting and recruiting. During his first season, Edgewood finished 12-5 overall and second in the Northern Athletic Conference. They were ranked fifth in the nation in goals per match in Division III, and Steege was heavily involved in the recruiting of the 2006 NAC Rookie and Conference Player of the Year.

Steege got his start in coaching as the Head Varsity Girls' High School Soccer Coach at Sauk Prairie High School for three years (2004-07). In his first season, the team went 4-14-2, 0-5 in the conference, before leading the squad to a 14-6-4 ledger, 4-1 in league, and a state regional championship in his third season. He also coached one all-state player, one conference player of the year and seven student-athletes that went on to play collegiate soccer.

Steege was a three-year starter at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and was voted team captain as a senior. He graduated Magma Cum Laude in 2004 with degrees in pyschology and biology.

After college, he played three years on the semi-pro Princeton-56ers NPSL team, that captured the 2005-2007 Midwest Division Champions and finished runner-up in the National Championship race in 2006 and 2007. He also played one season for Canning City FC, a professional team in Australia's Second Division in 2003.

A USSF National "B" Licensed Coach, Steege has over three years of professional sport psychology consultation experience with high school, college and professional soccer players.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with Brad and the UT soccer program," Steege said. "He is well respected in the soccer community, and I feel this is a great opportunity for me to continue to grow as a coach. The program has some great players to coach and develop, and I am very happy to be here."