NORTHFIELD, Minn. - After two seasons leading the St. Olaf College women's soccer program, Becky Maines has stepped down as head coach and former assistant coach Molly Fiedler has been named the ninth head coach in program history, as announced by Deputy Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Kelly Mahlum on Thursday.
 
Following two seasons at the helm of the program, Maines stepped down to accept a front-office position with Dallas Trinity of the USL Super League in Dallas, Texas ahead of their inaugural season. Fiedler, a former standout at the University of Minnesota who has spent the last two seasons as Maines' top assistant coach at St. Olaf, takes the reins heading into the upcoming 2024 campaign.
 
"I would like to thank Becky not only for her leadership during her time here but also for providing great mentorship that has prepared Molly for this new role in her coaching career," Mahlum said. "Becky's impact on this program will be longer lasting than just her time here as the head coach."
 
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Maines led St. Olaf to a combined record of 16-11-6 (.576), including a mark of 11-6-5 (.614) in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). In 2022, she guided the Oles to a spot in the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs following the program's first-ever victory in the conference tournament. St. Olaf finished the 2022 season with its joint-highest win total (10) since 2010 and posted its joint-highest single-season MIAC win total (7) in program history.

Over her two seasons, Maines coached two United Soccer Coaches All-Region honorees, five All-MIAC selections, 27 Academic All-MIAC honorees, and nine College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections. An Ole was named the MIAC Rookie of the Year in both of Maines' seasons as well.
 
"It is hard to sum up what my time at St. Olaf has meant to my family and I," Maines said. "St. Olaf is a special place because of the incredibly special people. I am so grateful to Ryan Bowles and want to thank him for the opportunity he presented me with two years ago and for his consistent support and leadership throughout my time on the Hill. I also want to thank Kelly Mahlum for all of her hard work and guidance not only for myself but for women's soccer and the department as a whole. This was a difficult decision to make because of the incredible young women I was privileged to coach and mentor. Every single one of them showed up every day invested and ready to work. They are everything that is the best part of being an Ole - I will miss each of them but look forward to being their biggest fan!"
 
Fiedler was on Maines' staff in each of the last two seasons, coaching alongside one of her former collegiate coaches at the University of Minnesota, where Fiedler was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. Fiedler started all 87 games of her career for the Golden Gophers from 2015-18, recording four goals and 26 assists, with the 26 assists ranking in a tie for fourth in program history. The run of 87 consecutive starts is the second-longest stretch in program history. Fiedler helped lead Minnesota to one Big Ten regular-season championship, two Big Ten Tournament titles, and three NCAA Tournament appearances in her four-year career.
 
"I am beyond excited to be the next head coach of the St. Olaf women's soccer program," Fiedler said. "I have had such an amazing experience here the last few years and I cannot express how happy I am to take on this new role. St. Olaf is such a special place that promotes success in both athletics and academics and I feel lucky to get to play a part in that. I am incredibly grateful to Becky for being the best mentor to me and ensuring that I am ready to take this next step. Lastly, I cannot thank everyone at St. Olaf enough for believing in me and trusting me with the continued greatness of the women's soccer program. Go Oles!"
 
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, Fiedler graduated from the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development in 2019 with a bachelor of science degree as a family and social science major with a minor in youth studies. She went on to play professionally for ZFK Spartak in Serbia's top division, starting all 33 of her appearances over the 2019 and 2021 seasons, including making seven starts in the European Women's Champions League in Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Spain. In addition to her playing experience, Fiedler has coached at the club level for Salvo Soccer Club in Woodbury and St. Croix Soccer Club.
 
"Molly brings a wealth of both playing and coaching experience that will positively impact this program as they continue to strive for greatness," Mahlum said. "I am excited for our student-athletes to experience the continued growth of this program under Molly's leadership. Her knowledge of the game, her investment into culture and people-building, and her ability to recruit great student-athletes will continue this build toward a championship program. I am extremely happy that she will continue with us on the Hill!"
 
"Elevating Molly to the role of head coach was a no-brainer," Maines added. "She is smart, culture-driven, well-respected, and most of all ready for this next step! I have no doubt this soccer program will continue to reach new heights under her leadership. She has all the tools necessary to pour into these young women on and off the field."
 
St. Olaf will open its 2024 season at home against Wartburg College on Friday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. at Rolf Mellby Field.