By Hank Wickley
Staff Writer
The new women’s soccer coach is a familiar face.
Meghan Gorsuch was named to the top job Jan. 17. She previously was an assistant for the program for the past five seasons. She is the eighth head coach in the history of the college.
“Meghan has been a part of this program for as long as I’ve been here,” explained Emily Esser (‘19).
Esser went on to add, “She has dedicated so much time, energy, and heart to our team as an assistant coach over the years and will step into this new role with grace and ease.”
Gorsuch played her high school soccer at Forest Hills Central High School, where she earned all-state honors three times and led her team to three MHSAA state titles.
Gorsuch attended Michigan State University, where she was team captain and president for the Spartan’s club team. Her team won the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) championship and Gorsuch was named as a first-round pick to the All-Tournament team in 2012.
After graduating, Gorsuch continued her soccer playing career on Michigan’s first women’s semi-professional team, the Motor City Football Club (MCFC).
“Meghan understands Alma and the type of student athlete that needs to be recruited to be successful in all areas,” explained Assistant Athletic Director Sarah Dehring. “She also has a tremendous knowledge of soccer an is a very good coach/teacher,” added Head Athletic Director Steven Rackley.
Since 2014, the women’s soccer program has had a positive record, winning 35 games in the past four years, losing 32, and ending 9 games in ties.
The team looks forward to improving on that mark,” said Esser. “We plan to not only win more games with her as a coach, but to become more united as a program, working to improve with every practice and game,” Esser confidently stated.
Other than winning more, what else is to come for the women’s soccer program? The team hopes to unify and become closer as a family both on and off the field, said one team member.
“Meghan has developed personal and professional relationships with each of the players that will make her an emotionally available and supportive coach,” explained Melissa Gal (‘18).
The team also has high hopes for more rigorous training, which will help them as athletes overall.
“I know that we will be pushed to perform to the best of our abilities and to improve every day under Meghan’s leadership,” claimed Esser. “Meghan is the perfect example of what the program is all about and has incredible plans to implement for the future of our team,” added Gal. This spring the team will begin preparing for next fall, and the members have some high expectations.
“In my last season here at Alma, I hope to regain the feelings of our team as a tight-knit family, have a winning season, and win an MIAA title,” stated Gal.
“With Meghan as our head coach, I am confident we will thrive and accomplish great things next season,” Esser added.
