[Women's Soccer] Women's Soccer Falcons Add Ten Eyck, Gatzke to Coaching Staff
WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University women's soccer head coach Brent Hobson will welcome a pair of familiar faces to his coaching staff with the additions of Kevin Ten Eyck and Kaylee Gatzke as assistant coaches this season.
Ten Eyck is coming off a five-year tenure as assistant men's soccer coach for the Falcons under head coach Nathan Wilkey, while Gatzke recently completed a standout four-year playing career for the Falcons.
A Wichita native, Ten Eyck enjoyed success during his playing career at Friends, earning NAIA All-America honors in 2007 after producing 19 goals and eight assists.
"Kevin will be a great addition to our coaching staff this upcoming season," Hobson said. "He has a lot of playing and coaching experience that will definitely benefit our program. He also has a strong competitive and winning mentality that will be displayed on his first day here."
Ten Eyck's professional career includes playing for the Wichita Wings and the Wichita B52's.
"I'm excited to join Coach Hobson and take on a new challenge," Ten Eyck said. "I've played with Coach Hobson in college and professionally and our goals and playing style align. I'm glad I get to keep my connection with Friends University and help the women's team grow and get better every day."
Gatzke wrapped up her stellar career in style by dishing out a team-high four assists last season while also netting the game-winning goal in the Falcons' 1-0 victory over Bethany College on Senior Night (Oct. 20).
A Colorado Springs, Colo. native, Gatzke scored seven goals in 2016 to earn All-KCAC Honorable-Mention honors.
"Gatzke has been a tremendous student-athlete these past four years," Hobson said. "I'm happy to see her coaching career get started here at Friends University. Her work ethic and passion for the game of soccer is remarkable. I know she'll bring a lot of energy to our training sessions every day."
Off the pitch, Gatzke has been just as successful, earning NAIA and KCAC Scholar Athlete honors while also receiving the prestigious distinction of being named the KAHPERD (Kansas Association for Heath, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year. Gatzke received the award at the KAHPERD state convention in Emporia, Kan., where she was nominated and competed against all Kansas colleges.
"I'm looking forward to giving back to the team that really built me into the person I am today," Gatzke said. "I'm also excited to learn and gain a lot of new information about the other side of this beautiful game under Coach Hobson."
The Women's Soccer Falcons have hosted a KCAC quarterfinal match each of the past three seasons and will open the 2019 slate on Aug. 30 at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Mo.