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Erik Ronning

Colgate University Men’s Head Soccer Coach

Championship success has been built into the Colgate Men’s Soccer culture under head coach Erik Ronning.

Ronning holds The John W. Beyer Endowed Coaching Chair, named for John Beyer, who coached the Colgate men’s team from 1966-79.

The Raiders under Ronning have qualified for the Patriot League tournament in 14 of his 17 seasons. Their Patriot League record in that time stands at 70-45-42 (.570), with an overall mark of 142-121-62 (.530).

  • Two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year (2010, 2015).
  • United Soccer Coaches Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2017).
  • Six Patriot League championships (2007, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018) and three regular season titles (2008, 2010, 2015).
  • Three NCAA tournament wins (2017 Sweet 16 Appearance).
  • Three Major League Soccer SuperDraft selections (Jared Stroud ’18, Ethan Kutler ’17, Chris Ross ’10) and two MLS Supplemental Draft picks (Mike Reidy ’13, Steven Miller ’12).
  • 22 United Soccer Coaches All-Region selections, four Patriot League Offensive Players of the Year, three Defensive Players of the Year, three Goalkeepers of the Year, two Rookies of the Year, 66 All-Patriot League picks, and 14 Academic All-Patriot League selections since 2005.
  • Colgate became the first team in Patriot League history to win three consecutive tournament championships in 2018. The Raiders advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second straight year after knocking off No. 22 New Hampshire in the first round.
  • That same season, Colgate soared to No. 13 nationally, its highest national ranking in program history, tying the program record for most wins in a season (13).
  • The Raiders reached the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship Sweet 16 for the first time in program history in 2017. The year was highlighted by Ronning and his staff landing Northeast Regional Staff of the Year honors by the United Soccer Coaches Association.
  • Before the three-year title run from 2016-2018, Ronning guided Colgate to the Patriot League regular season championship in 2015 behind a 7-2-0 conference record.

Making History
Ronning guided the Raiders to their third consecutive Patriot League title in 2018, becoming the first team in conference history to accomplish the feat. Colgate rocketed into the top 25 and was nationally ranked as high as No. 13, compiling a 13-5-5 record to tie the program record for most wins in a season. Colgate ran through the Patriot League tournament, culminating with a 1-0 victory over Army in the title match.

Colgate in 2018 advanced to the NCAA tournament, where the Raiders stunned No. 22 New Hampshire and advanced to the second round. Colgate finished the season ranked in the top 25 in shutouts (eighth), goals-against average (16th), save percentage (18th), and shutout percentage (19th). Ronning led Colgate to four straight 10-plus win seasons for the first time in program history (2015: 10-7-2, 2016: 13-7-2, 2017: 12-11-1, 2018: 13-5-5).

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Ronning led Colgate to its most successful season yet in 2017, and was awarded Northeast Regional Staff of the Year honors by the United Soccer Coaches association for his efforts. The 2017 Raiders made a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and claimed their second-straight and seventh-overall Patriot League Championship.

After beginning the season 5-10-1 overall and 2-4-1 in league play, Colgate rattled off a seven-game win streak to advance all the way to the program’s first-ever Sweet 16. The incredible posteason run featured wins over UMass and No. 13 Michigan, with the upset over the Wolverines highlighted by a two-goal comeback to claim a 3-2 victory.

Professional Development
Ronning has mentored two MLS SuperDraft picks in recent years. 2016 Patriot League Tournament MVP Ethan Kutler ‘17 was drafted as the No. 39 overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls in January 2017, becoming the highest draft pick in Colgate men’s soccer history. 2017 Patriot League Tournament MVP Jared Stroud ’18 followed suit as he was drafted as the No. 83 overall pick of the 2018 draft by the New York Red Bulls.

The 2009 season was highlighted by the drafting of Chris Ross ’10 by Chivas USA in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft and the selection of Alex Weekes by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL second division after Weekes took part in the USL Showcase.

Two other Raiders were taken in the MLS Supplemental Draft. Steven Miller was picked in the third round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft by Montreal Impact, while Mike Reidy was taken in the fourth round of the 2013 Supplemental Draft by Sporting Kansas City.

Early Success in the Coaching Ranks
Ronning worked his coaching magic right from the start of his Colgate tenure. He guided his debut 2005 squad to the program’s first Patriot League tournament appearance in six years. In Season 2, Colgate began with a nine-game unbeaten streak that included six shutouts. Ronning’s Raiders were one of the final three unbeaten teams in the country and the last team in the nation to allow a goal.

The squad finished in the top 12 in three NCAA defensive statistical categories. Ronning helped put Colgate men’s soccer on the map as the squad appeared in the national rankings and earned a mention on ESPN.com. His players were honored by the NSCAA, the Patriot League and multiple soccer news outlets.

Staying True to his Roots
A former Raider himself, Ronning was a four-year starter and team captain in 1996. He was named All-Patriot League First Team and team MVP his senior season.

After graduation, Ronning worked as Colgate’s assistant coach from 1997-2001, during which time he was the primary recruiting coordinator. His recruiting efforts included five All-New York region selections, one Patriot League Rookie of the Year, and 10 All-Patriot League selections. The 1998 team earned a national ranking while the 1997 squad was both the Patriot League regular season and tournament champions and appeared in an NCAA play-in game.

Prior to Colgate
In 2001, Ronning was hired as the Northwestern men’s soccer assistant coach. In his four years with the Wildcats, Ronning moved up in the coaching ranks, becoming an associate coach under two-time NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year Tim Lenahan. He was an essential part of Northwestern’s success in putting them on the radar in the national picture.

With responsibilities including field coaching, player development, opponent scouting and game preparation, as well as recruitment of prospective student-athletes, Ronning was recognized by College Soccer News as one of the top assistant coaches in the country in both 2002 and 2004.

Outside of collegiate soccer, Ronning was the head coach of the Sockers FC Chicago, a highly competitive elite boys soccer club for two years. He has also been a member of the USYSA Region II Olympic Development Program staff and a scout for the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP). Ronning coached the New York State West Olympic Development under-17, under-15 and under-14 teams from 1999-2001 as well. He holds an NSCAA Premier diploma as well as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) ‘A’ coaching license.