Sean Arbaut/Speacial to MDN Former Minot State women's soccer head coach Jason Spain is shown with the team. Spain announced Wednesday that he would be resigning from the program to accept the women’s soccer head coaching position at NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Minot State University head soccer coach Jason Spain has resigned at the University to accept the head coach position at NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

He was formally introduced Wednesday at UW Green Bay, replacing interim head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. Spain will inherit a team that went 2-13-2 overall in 2018.

“I am excited for Jason and his family as he has earned this opportunity,” said Minot Sate Director of Athletics Andy Carter. “He has been outstanding in starting and building our women’s soccer program. His hard work, tenacity, and tremendous will has built a program which is recognized at the conference, regional, and national levels.”

Spain built the Minot State program from scratch – starting it in the 2009 season – earning four trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, one berth in the NAIA National Tournament during the team’s inaugural season, a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season title, and an NSIC Tournament title. The Beavers were 109-53-18 overall in his nine seasons as head coach.

“I want to thank Dr. Fuller (former MSU President David Fuller) and Dr. Shirley (current MSU President Steve Shirley) for everything they have done to support me here in this endeavor,” Spain said. “I want to thank (former Minot State athletic director) Rick Hedberg for bringing me to this wonderful community. I also would like to thank (former Assistant AD-Development) Chad McNally, (Associate Director of Athletics-Compliance & Student Life) Steve Swenson, (Assistant Director of Athletics-Development) Brock Weppler and (Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations) Wendy McManus for all their advice. I will always love you all.

“I also want to thank Andy Carter personally for all the advice he has given me. There is no measure for all that I have learned from him.”

Carter indicated the University will move forward immediately with a national search to find its second head coach in school history. The Beavers finished with a 13-6-3 record and went 9-4-2 in NSIC play, making the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time overall and third time in four years. Minot State returns 12 letterwinners from the 2018 team, including three All-NSIC performers.

“We are committed to continuing the trajectory of our women’s soccer program,” Carter said. “Our student-athletes deserve our best efforts and we are dedicated to that end.”

Under Spain’s direction, Minot State had two All-Americans (Ninfa Ramirez and Marianna Danna) and two Academic All-Americans (Breanne Hatfield and Ashley Franco). Twelve different Beavers earned All-Region honors. The women’s soccer team was the first Minot State program to earn a trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament as the Beavers captured the 2012 NSIC Postseason Tournament title, also a first for the school. Minot State won its first NCAA Tournament match in 2015. The Beavers won the school’s first NSIC regular season championship in 2016, posting a school record 15-3-1 record and a 14-0-1 mark in league play.

— Minot State Univeristy