Former University of Portland All-American and Philadelphia Charge member Tara Koleski
WEST CHESTER, PA - West Chester University has selected assistant coach and former WUSA player Tara Koleski as its new head coach.
Koleski replaces Deb Flaherty who accepted the head coaching position at Holy Cross this past winter.
An All-American at Division I University of Portland (OR), Koleski spent the 2003 season as Flahertys assistant as the Golden Rams reached the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament for the first time in school history.
Koleskis sparkling career began in college where she helped lead the University of Portland to the Division I Final Four for womens soccer in 1996 and 1998.
While at Portland, she earned All-American honors, was an Umbro Select Senior All-Star, a Far West Regional Team member and a First Team selection in the West Coast Conference.
In 1999 and 2000, Koleski played professionally in Germany before being drafted in the 11th round by the San Diego Spirit of the WUSA in 2001. In 2002 she played for the Philadelphia Charge, while in 2003 she moved to the New York Power.
Koleski had recently been working this off-season as the head coach of the Rochester Reign in the Semi-Pro WPSL.
Koleski has directed numerous camps and clinics throughout her career. She has been on the Pennsylvania Olympic Development Staff since the fall of 2003 and has served as a coach at both college and professional summer camps since 1996.
A 1999 graduate of the University of Portland, Koleski is a native of Phoenix, AZ and a 1995 graduate of Xavier College Prep.
