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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Gottschalk Named BGSU Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
February 28, 2013 | Women's Soccer
“Rhonda is a great hire for our program,” said Basalyga. “She has worked with several programs at various levels throughout the Northern Ohio area and has developed recruiting connections that will be essential in rebuilding the tradition of Bowling Green women's soccer.
“Rhonda's energy and passion for the game was apparent throughout the interviewing process, and we can't wait for her to get started with our program in a few weeks.”
Gottschalk comes to BGSU after spending the 2012 season as an assistant coach at Youngstown State University, where she primarily worked with the goalkeepers. The Penguins turned in the best year in program history last fall, going 8-9-0 overall to set a school record for wins. The 2012 club won three Horizon League matches, after the program had never before won more than one league game.
Under Gottschalk's tutelage, YSU goalkeepers Jackie Podolsky and Ali Viola combined to win the Horizon League Defensive Player-of-the-Week honor three times last year. Viola had set the school single-season record for goals-against average in 2011, with a GAA of 1.34. But, in 2012, both Podolsky and Viola bettered that mark. Podolsky had a GAA of just 1.15, while Viola's GAA was 1.16.
The two combined to allow a total of 20 goals all season, shattering that school record. YSU had only held opponents to fewer than 30 goals on one prior occasion in program history.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity that Coach Basalyga has given me to be part of the Bowling Green community and the women's soccer program,” said Gottschalk. “I am excited to work with Coach Basalyga and be involved in the future of BGSU Women's Soccer.”
Prior to her stint at YSU, Gottschalk spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Duquesne. The Dukes posted a 9-9-1 overall mark in the 2010 campaign, going 6-3-0 in Atlantic 10 Conference play to finish third in the 14-team league.
Gottschalk is no stranger to the state of Ohio. In addition to her tenure in Youngstown, she spent three seasons as assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams at Ashland University. She helped the Eagles' men's team to back-to-back Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) championships and NCAA Championships appearances in 2008 and '09.
Gottschalk, a native of Greencastle, Ind., also spent one season as a student assistant coach at her alma mater, Concord (W.Va.) in 2006.
In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Gottschalk has coached several club teams. She coached for the Pennine United Soccer Club in Lodi, Ohio, in 2008-09, and has served as the head coach of the FC Pittsburgh U14 girls team since 2011.
Gottschalk earned her bachelor's degree in education, physical education and health from Concord in 2006. She also earned a master's degree in applied exercise science from Ashland in 2009.
Gottschalk is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and earned her NSCAA National Diploma License in 2009. She earned her NSCAA Advance National Diploma License as well as a NSCAA Goalkeeper I Diploma License in 2012.
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