University of Minnesota head women’s soccer coach Erin Chastain has received a contract extension through the 2027 season.
Chastain, who enters her third season at the helm of the Golden Gopher soccer program, has amassed an 16-14-6 record (8-10-2 Big Ten) and a .528 winning percentage. Under Chastain’s leadership, Minnesota has had five All-Big Ten team selections, five CSC Academic All-District honorees, and the Golden Gophers’ first Academic All-American in Gabbie Cesarone since April Bockin in 2018.
Chastain led the Maroon and Gold to an 8-6-3 record in her first season, including an unbeaten 4-0-3 mark in non-conference play to open the year. Minnesota finished the 2021 campaign ranking 26th in the NCAA with a .529 shutout percentage, tallying nine total shutouts, and did not allow a goal until the eighth match of the season. The 2021 team also outscored its opponents by an 18-7 margin at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium leading to 5-3-2 mark at home.
In her second season, Chastain guided the team to its first Big Ten Tournament berth since 2018, and the first in the Chastain Era. Minnesota didn’t concede more than two goals in a match and earned its first result against a top ten opponent, No. 8 Rutgers, since 2015.
A four-year starter and three-year captain for the Gophers in the 1990s, Chastain is the fifth head coach in program history. The Plymouth, Minn., native earned her bachelor’s degree from the Carlson School of Management in International Business in 1997.
Chastain and the Gophers look forward to celebrating the 30th season of Golden Gopher soccer this fall. Season tickets are scheduled to go on sale Tuesday, June 6. Single game tickets will go on sale in mid July.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
