GOLDEN, Colo. – Kate Cortis has been named Colorado School of Mines Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach, as announced today by Director of Athletics Tom Spicer.

            Cortis most recently served as the Girls Director of Coaching for the Stingers Soccer Club in Evergreen, Colo. Cortis served as head coach for two of the club’s teams while coordinating club actions with the Board of Directors and leading the 2010 Strategic Planning Initiative. Cortis was also responsible for year-round programming and player development.

            Cortis spent five seasons (2004-08) as the Associate Head Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Minnesota. During her tenure, Cortis served as the defensive and recruiting coordinator, liaison with compliance and liaison with MN Soccer Club Outreach. In 2008, Cortis helped lead the Gophers to the Big Ten Regular Season Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament posting an overall record of 27-3. Cortis also spent time in the college ranks coaching at the University of Missouri, Colorado College and the University of Chicago.

            During her time in Minnesota, Cortis worked with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, Bangu Tsunami Soccer Club and the Woodbury Soccer Club. Cortis led her ’91 ODP Team to a Region Championships in 2007 and a third-place finish at 2008 ODP Nationals. Cortis’ Bangu Tsunami 89/90 Blue Team won the 2007 Minnesota State Cup Championship.

            A 2000 graduate of the University of Chicago, Cortis earned a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science. A four-year member of the varsity soccer team, Cortis helped lead the Maroons to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Final Four in 1996.

            The 2010 season will mark the CSM women’s soccer program’s sixth season. In five seasons, the squad has compiled an overall record of 55-36-9 and 32-15-6 in RMAC play. Mines has advanced to the RMAC Tournament the past three seasons. In 2008, the Orediggers made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Mines returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2009 winning the Central Region Championship and advancing to the Elite Eight, further than any team at CSM has ever advanced in NCAA Tournament play. Kayla Mitchell became the first CSM women’s soccer All-American and Mines finished the season ranked seventh in the final Division II Top 25 Poll.