Women's Soccer | March 24, 2020
ALVA, Okla. – Erik Solberg has left his position as Northwestern Oklahoma State University head women's soccer to become head coach at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.
In Solberg's only season at the helm, the team posted a 7-10-1 record. He owns a 34-31-8 mark in his four years as a head coach. NWOSU Athletic Director Brad Franz will launch a national search to find Solberg's successor.
"While disappointed we are losing his leadership for our women's soccer program, I am excited for Coach Solberg to earn this opportunity to be a head coach at the NCAA Division I level at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff," said Franz. "Having been at that level and in their conference, it is familiar territory for him. Coach Solberg is a tremendous soccer coach, tactician and recruiter but he is even a better person. UAPB and is very lucky to get him and we appreciate the positive steps forward he took with our program. We have an excellent group of returners and are excited for the year ahead."
"We wish him and his family the best for the future and thank him for his excellent work at Northwestern."
In 2019, three Stars collected all-conference honors. Reyna Gonzales was named the Great American Conference Newcomer of the Year and an All-GAC honorable mention. Yazmin Gomez and Makayla Barrientos were named to the second-team all-GAC, while Kaley Whitworth was an honorable mention. Gonzalez was selected to the United Soccer Coaches third-team All-Central Region and Whitworth was also named to the D2CCA All-Central Region second-team.
Solberg's lone season in Alva was one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Rangers turned in the most wins and conference points since joining the NCAA DII and the GAC in 2014.
"First, I'd like to say thank you to Dr. Cunningham, Mr. Franz, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Lauderdale for taking a chance on me," stated Solberg. "They entrusted me with the privilege of leading the Ranger soccer program. Coaching this program has been a complete joy, and I'm tremendously proud of what we accomplished over the past 15 months."
"I would also like to thank my staff and our players," Solberg said. "They are what truly makes this program special. Lastly, I'd also like to thank the community of Alva and all of Ranger nation for the way they supported our program and loved on our family. It is bittersweet that Shelby and I leave Alva for our next adventure, but we have full confidence that the best days for Ranger soccer are still ahead."
Prior to his time at Northwestern, Solberg served as the head coach for three seasons at East Texas Baptist where he was 27-21-7 as the head coach. Before moving to ETBU he was at Great American Conference foe East Central in 2014 when the Lady Tigers reached the conference semifinal game. Solberg got his start in coaching as a volunteer assistant at NCAA Division I Nicholls State in 2013. He also was the head boys' soccer coach at Ponchatoula High School for two seasons.
Solberg is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he obtained a degree in liberal studies in 2012 and earned a master's degree in education with a concentration in sports administration from ECU in 2015.
