MANSFIELD, Pa.- Tara Koleski was named the third head coach of the Mansfield Mountaineers women's soccer team, Director of Athletics Peggy Carl announced on Wednesday, March 13. 
 
"I am so pleased and very excited to welcome Tara Koleski to the Mountie Family as Mansfield's next Head Women's Soccer Coach. Very early in our process, Tara established herself as an impressive candidate. Her head coaching experiences both in NCAA Division I and Division II played a major role in her rise to the top of our pool." Carl stated. "Additionally, her experience in the PSAC will serve her well. A pool player on the U.S. Women's National Senior Team, she is recognized as an innovative coach with a focus on fundamental skill development and competitive success. She is precisely the right person to take Mansfield's Women's Soccer program to the next level."
 
"We are pleased to welcome Coach Koleski to the Commonwealth University family." said Bashar W. Hanna, president of Commonwealth University-Mansfield. "Her experience and leadership are sure to be an asset to the Mounties as she assumes the role of Head Women's Soccer Coach." 
 
Koleski joins the Mounties from FC Arizona, of the Arizona State Association and DPL, where she has served as Director of Coaching, Head Coach of UWS, and Vice President of Building Pathways since 2020. 
 
Tara Koleski was a former Head Coach at the Dominican University of California (2013-15), former associate head coach at University Northern Iowa (2008), and former head coach at NCAA DI UMBC (2006-2008) and NCAA DII West Chester University (2003-2006). 
 
At West Chester, she earned, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year, the Southeast Pennsylvania Coaches Association (SEPCA) Women's College Coach of the Year, and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East
Coach of the Year.
 
Kolski has served as Sports Diplomat for the US Department of State since 2022 and was a commentator for WTSMTV for the Women's World Cup in 2023.
 
Before her coaching career Koleski had an illustrious playing career. She was a member of the United States U-21 National Team in 1996–97, then went on to play professionally in Germany in 1999 and 2000. Koleski was drafted in the 11th round by the San Diego Spirit of the Women's United Soccer Association in 2001, and also played for the Philadelphia Charge and New York Power. She was part of the full United States women's national team pool in 2002.

Koleski earned her BA in Sociology from University of Portland, a Masters in Administration Leadership from Northern Arizona University. 


Koleski was an All-American forward and outside midfielder at UP, the Phoenix native helped lead the Pilots to the NCAA Final Four in 1996 and 1998. She also earned First-Team All-West Coast Conference honors.