This year, Eric Schoenstein landed his “dream job.”

Schoenstein, who started coaching 30 years ago, will take over as head coach of the women’s soccer team for the upcoming fall season.

He grew up playing soccer and when he moved to Evansville he played for Mater Dei High School.

He went on to play for USI from 1988-1991, where he won four GLVC Championships  and served as captain his senior year.

“(The experience) was very beneficial as a captain back in the early 90s. You were leading your peers,” Schoenstein said. “That was the base of learning leadership that I have taken with me in the coaching aspect, and now when I push players, I do it in a way to build confidence.”

Schoenstein is familiar with some of the players because he was assistant coach and knows what the team needs to strengthen for the next season.

“It gives me a good starting point,” Schoenstein said. “I know what type of players to bring to complement the current roster.”’

Even though there were more than 100 applicants for the head coaching position, Director of Athletics John Mark Hall and his staff felt Schoenstein was the best pick.

“We felt really strongly about Eric’s past coaching and passion for the sport,” Hall said. “We felt his passion to make us a winning team and someone who can bring talent to the team made him the right choice.”

Schoenstein previously coached at Bosse High School for 18 years.

Afterward, he coached travel soccer and currently serves as the director of Coaching and Player Development at Sporting Southern Indiana.

Jim List, Sporting Southern Indiana president, said Schoenstein helped build the organization.

“We were a small club and not recognized highly,” List said. “(Schoenstein) has helped us win three state championships on the girls side, and we went from 12 to 32 teams in a seven to eight year span with him.”

Schoenstein brought more than growth to the club.

“The fact that he has given kids direction for playing in the next level up is tremendous,” List said. “In the last five years, at least 85 kids went on to play in college.”

Schoenstein enjoys watching his players develop, which he said he looks forward to most for next season.

“The way he handles kids, especially a girls program because that’s what he has always coached, will help him to be a head coach,” List said. “He knows how to get the best out of them on and off the field. In this community, kids want to play for him.”