ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Bethel University is excited to announce
Amanda Maxwell as the new head women's soccer coach. Maxwell becomes the first full-time head coach devoted to women's soccer in program history, as the position has previously been joined with the men's team or has been part-time. She is the tenth coach to lead the squad since it began in 1993.
Athletic Director
Bob Bjorklund expressed his enthusiasm by noting, "I am thrilled to have Amanda as part of our athletics staff. Her knowledge of the game, attention to detail, and commitment to team building will lead to a first class experience for our student athletes. Amanda is a gifted leader who will combine passion and energy with an educator's knack. I am excited about the future of Bethel women's soccer under her direction."
Maxwell, a former Stillwater Area High School standout, was previously the head varsity coach for girl's soccer at Stillwater Area High School and was also a coach and director within the St. Croix Soccer Club for the past 11 years. Her coaching experience also includes two stints with Mahtomedi High School, where she was awarded assistant coach of the year in 2007. During her two years with the Zephyrs, Mahtomedi won a state championship in 2005 and was runner-up in 2007. Maxwell has also coached at the collegiate level, assisting MIAC opponent Hamline University in 2004. Other notable coaching experiences include Minnesota Olympic development coach and Haven of Peace Academy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Stillwater, Minn. native was an exceptional soccer player in both high school and college. Maxwell was honored as Minnesota Ms. Soccer, a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American, and Gatorade Player of the Year. Maxwell played her first two years of collegiate soccer at Marshall University, in Huntington, W.V., where she was an All-American and conference Player of the Year as a freshman. While at Marshall, Maxwell was also noted as an All-Region player her freshman and sophomore seasons. After transferring to the University of Minnesota, she further padded her resume with a Big Ten Scholar Athlete award, and was chosen as a team captain and team offensive Player of the Year.
"This is a tremendous honor and I feel blessed to be a part of the Bethel community," Maxwell says. "From the moment I heard of the position, I knew it was a perfect place for me. All of my passions and strengths coincide here and I am excited to start."
Jeremy Iwaszkowiec, who was the head coach for both the men and women's soccer programs in 2011, will continue as the head coach for the men's team in 2012. In 2011 the women's soccer team finished with an overall record of 9-7-2 (4-6-1 MIAC). "I am looking forward to building on the successes that have already taken place thanks to Jeremy and others," Maxwell states, "and look to continue to push each student-athlete to be the best player and person they can be."
Amanda and her husband Brandon currently reside in Stillwater, Minn., and have one son, Owen.
