WAVERLY, Iowa— Emily Ryan has been named the next head women's soccer coach at Wartburg College, John Cochrane, the Lowell J. Walker Chair of Athletics Directorship Endowed Chair and director of athletics, announced today.

"We couldn't be more pleased to be able to announce Emily Ryan as Wartburg's new head women's soccer coach," said Cochrane. "Emily impressed everyone throughout the search process. Her engaging demeanor, experience and leadership skills make her the ideal person to direct a program with a strong foundation and uniquely situated to continue its development to national prominence. She will be a tremendous addition to our staff and the entire Wartburg family."  

Ryan comes to Wartburg from fellow American Rivers Conference school the University of Dubuque where she served as the assistant coach for the Spartans. She was the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 2017 to 20, after starting as an assistant coach in 2016.

Under Ryan's direction, the Pioneers had the program's best season in school history in 2018 with a program-high fourth-place regular season finish in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), In 19 games, the Pioneers recorded 48 goals (a 21-goal improvement from 2017), 30 assists, and five shutouts, while shattering four program records. Two Pioneers earned All-WIAC honors, and one was named United Soccer Coaches Third-team All-North Region.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the Wartburg women's soccer program," said Ryan. "I want to thank Athletic Director John Cochrane for giving me this opportunity and trusting me to contribute to the championship success within the Knights Athletic Department. Coach Pins has done a phenomenal job at the helm of the women's soccer program over the past 11 seasons. I am so excited to lead and inspire the current and future student-athletes to build off the success of this program both on and off the field."

Ryan was a four-year member of the women's soccer program at UW-Platteville as a midfielder and graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and health and human performance in 2014. She holds her USSF 'D' License and USA Weightlifting Level 1 certification.

The Dubuque, Iowa, native will begin her duties on July 1.