MOORHEAD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead athletic director Chad Markuson has announced that Scott Forster has been named the next head women's soccer coach for the Dragons. 
 
Forster becomes the fourth head soccer coach in program history after holding the same position at Bluefield State University (Bluefield, W.V.) for the last three seasons. 
 
"I would like to thank Chad Markuson and the Search Committee for this opportunity, and for their faith in me to guide this program to reach new heights," Forster said."I have been excited about the potential of joining MSUM since connecting with the program and feeling the passion across campus for making a difference in the lives of all students. I'm looking forward to the challenge of making an impact in the Northern Sun and beyond. It's a great day to be a Dragon!"
 
Forster spent the last three seasons building the Bluefield State program from the ground up as the university began sponsoring the sport ahead of the 2021 season. As the program's first-ever head soccer coach, Forster was tasked with recruiting a full roster, building a schedule and fostering a positive team culture, all from scratch. He thrived in the role, creating a 25-player roster that had representation from multiple countries and states in its inaugural season. He was also able to schedule 16 matches in his inaugural season.
 
During the 2022-23 season, Forster had 12 different nations represented on his roster. Bluefield State, who is without conference affiliation, was able to compete against some of the top teams in the country. The Big Blue played against national powerhouse Catawba in Forster's second season. In the first three years of the program's genesis, Forster led the Big Blue to 16 victories, including a victory in the program's first-ever match on August 21, 2021. Big Blue soccer was ranked 16^th in NCAA Division II in offensive efficiency this past season. 
 
"Coach Scott Forster emerged to the top of a very deep and impressive applicant pool for the head soccer coach position. He has spent his life playing and teaching the great sport of soccer," said Markuson. "His experiences both in the club soccer world as well as his collegiate coaching experience will serve the Dragon soccer program well. Coach has a true passion, not only to coach the sport of soccer but he is an advocate for student-athletes academic and mental health success as well."
 
Throughout his time at Bluefield State, his student-athletes excelled in the classroom as well. Big Blue soccer achieved a 3.67 GPA in the fall of their inaugural season. Nine players were recognized on the President's List, four on the Dean's List and three as USCAA Academic All-Americans. The team maintained high academic standards with a 3.50 GPA in the fall of 2023. 
 
"He shares the university core values and has the heart of a teacher. His grit has been on full display as he started a new Division II program from scratch. He will lead the soccer student-athletes not only on the pitch but also in the game of life," Markuson continued. "I am excited for the future of the women's soccer team and the athletic department with Scott as our head women's soccer coach."
 
Prior to Bluefield State, Forster, a Newcastle, England, native spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Montana State University, Billings. While in Billings, he served as the program's co-recruiting coordinator and helped the Yellow Jackets to new heights on the pitch. He helped increase the program's roster size to 32 student-athletes. During the 2018 season, Forster also served on the men's soccer staff at MSU Billings. 
 
Forster also bolsters significant club experience prior to moving to Montana. He would move from Newcastle to California in 2012. Forster served as the executive director and director of coaching at the Liverpool International Academy in San Jose, Calif. While there, he would coach and develop nationally-ranked travel teams with several elite tournament wins. He would also guide the San Jose State men's club soccer team to its most successful season after winning the West Coast Soccer Association's Open Cup. His time in California also included coaching stints at NCAA Division II Cal State East Bay and NPSL franchises. 
 
He holds an advanced national license and a premier diploma from the United Soccer Coaches and has been recognized for building team culture and the technical development of the competitive player. Forster has completed his Ph.D. and Honors degree in biological sciences and has significant experience coaching across ages and genders. He is an English FA certified scout and holds voting rights for US Open cup "player of the round."