ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College Hall of Famer Olaf Kirsten has been named as the next Head Northland Women's Soccer Coach announced Thursday, May 9.
 
"Olaf Kirsten is a staple in the Ashland Area in the world of soccer," said Athletic Director Dan Schumacher. "We welcome the Hall of Famer back to Northland College where his career all started. The Northland Soccer Community and Northland student-athletes will benefit from his storied career."
 
Kirsten was a member of the first men's varsity program at Northland in 1982, where he helped lead his team to three national tournaments for small colleges finishing in the top five in all three appearances. After Northland, he continued to play at the semi-professional level in Chicago and then Seattle. In 2004, Kirsten was inducted into the Northland College Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
"I am really excited to be part of the college again," said Kirsten. "This is a good time to come back to keep the program rolling. I am excited to be back, I have learned from my first stint. I have had success recently and look forward to working with the women's team."
 
After his playing career, Kirsten started coaching in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was the head coach for St. Michael's High School and Capitol Soccer Club for five years. At the end of his time in New Mexico, Kirsten began coaching for the New Mexico Olympic Development Program. When he moved back to Wisconsin he helped start the Chequamegon Bay Soccer Club and high school soccer programs for Washburn High School and has been coaching there since 2001. From 2010-2015 Kirsten was the head coach for the men's soccer team at Northland College and was the head coach on the women's side for the 2013 season. In the 2013 season he led the team to a 9-8-3 record, reaching the Upper Midwest Athltic Conference Playoffs. Kirsten has been coaching for the Wisconsin Olympic Development Program for the last three years.
 
Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.