Willamette Names New Men`s Soccer Coach

Nelson Larson Photo Courtesy: willamette.edu

SALEM - Nelson Larson, the assistant coach of the Bearcats for the past two season, has been named the new head coach of the Willamette University men`s soccer team.

Larson replaces Jeff Enquist, who resigned earlier this month.

Along with coaching at Willamette, Larson is a staff coach for the Oregon Olympic Development Program.

He is also a staff coach for the Portland City United Soccer Club and runs the SoccerTots program at the Tualatin Indoor Soccer facility.

As a player, Larson was a three-time All-conference defender for Hastings College, an NAIA school in Nebrasksa. After finishing his collegiate career in 1999, Larson played for Harlow Hill FC and Newtown Villa FC in England.

Following his playing career, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the women`s team at Hastings and as assistant coach at Lewis & Clark in 2003.

“I am very excited to take over the Bearcat men`s program,“ said Larson. “ The past two years, we`ve been able to bring in a great deal of talent and we expect to see some more talented freshmen coming in the fall. Now it`s a matter of bringing that talent together on the field.“

This is Larson`s first head coaching job at the college level.

Enquist resigned due to family and job responsibilities.

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