The University of Minnesota Duluth women's soccer head coach is fresh off leading the Superior City FC women's team to a record of six wins, two losses and three draws in his first season as manager. Greg Kane The Bulldogs have hired Aaron Blanchard as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024 season.
“Bulldog Soccer is very fortunate to have Aaron join our soccer staff,” said Cain, who will be in his 31st season with UMD this fall. “His head coaching background has been notable with stints at Northland College and Superior City FC. He has built a respected reputation among his peers and his players recognize it. We look forward to Aaron bringing his experience and expertise to the team next season.”
Brachard has already coached eight Bulldogs at Superior this summer, including a junior defender. Campbell Christensensenior forward and team captain Anna Tobias (Team top scorer), senior midfielder Victoria ThorsonSenior Morgan EckerleMidfielder Mallory Russsophomore midfielder Amelia Pons Prior to taking over at Superior City FC this summer along with freshmen Alyssa Doyle and Gwendolyn Lilly, Blanchard served as the head women's soccer coach and fitness center coordinator at Northland College. For the three years prior, Blanchard served as an assistant coach for both the Jacks and Jills soccer programs from 2020-2023. Blanchard's coaching experience also includes roles at Crockett High School (JV coach and assistant varsity coach, 2019-2020) and with the Gitche Gummi Soccer Club from 2018-2020.
Blanchard played in 32 games as a defenseman for the Yellow Jackets over two seasons in 2017 and 2018 before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2020 with a degree in exercise science and a minor in coaching. During that time, he helped WI-Superior win two UMAC championships and scored the game-winning goal against Augsburg in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2018, leading the Yellow Jackets to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Prior to his time at Superior, Blanchard was a starter at North Iowa Area Community College and is a native of Omaha, Nebraska.
