University of Minnesota women’s soccer head coach Erin Chastain has signed a contract extension through the 2028 season.
Chastain enters her fifth season as head coach of the Minnesota women’s soccer program in 2025, following a standout 2024 campaign that led the team to one of the most successful seasons in program history.
In 2024, Minnesota finished with a 14-5-3 record and a final national ranking of No. 17, with Chastain earning her 150th career win with a 3-0 victory over Michigan. The Gophers posted an undefeated regular-season home record (7-0-2) for the first time since 2008. Minnesota also earned three top-25 wins, including victories over No. 8 Ohio State (3-2), No. 11 Iowa (2-1), and No. 14 South Carolina (2-1). The Gophers drew 2-2 against No. 24 Southern California, handing the Trojans their only non-win of the regular and conference seasons.
After finishing the regular season with a No. 22 RPI ranking, Minnesota hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating South Dakota State 2-0. The team advanced to the Chapel Hill Regional, where they defeated South Carolina to reach the Sweet 16, only to fall to eventual College Cup Champion North Carolina.
Chastain’s leadership paved the way for her players to earn conference, regional, and national recognition. Khyah Harper was named a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American, Big Ten Forward of the Year, and a semifinalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy—Minnesota’s first-ever semifinalist. Four other Gophers—Sophia Boman (First Team), Paige Kalal (Second Team), Ashley Thurk (Freshman Team), and Elizabeth Overberg (Sportsmanship Award)—were also recognized by the Big Ten. Boman, Harper, and Overberg earned CSC Academic All-American honors, and were joined by Kate Childers, Evelyn Calhoon, and Sophia Romine in earning CSC Academic All-Region honors. A total of 17 Gophers were named to the Academic All-Big Ten list.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
