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David Nikolic enters his seventh season as the UWM women's soccer associate head coach after having spent the previous nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Panther women. In his 15 seasons at Milwaukee, he has helped the program reach the success it continues to this day. "David and I have worked together a long time and that helps us to know each other's strengths and weaknesses," head coach Michael Moynihan said. "We compliment each other very well and that has been a big reason for our program's success. He is a true student of the game and is able to bring tactical insight as well as technical ability." Nikolic has been an integral part of the women's soccer program and has helped guide Milwaukee to six NCAA Tournament berths, 10 regular season league championships and five league tournament titles. The 2008 team finished the season ranked No. 24 in the nation after its fifth NCAA Tournament trip in eight years. In 2005 and 2006, the Panthers advanced to the second round for the first times in school history. "I have enjoyed being a part of the growth of women's soccer at UWM the past 15 seasons," Nikolic said. "I take a lot of pride in the fact we attract players in the region who look at Milwaukee as a place where they can come and become better students of the game, consistantly play nationally-ranked opponents and have a good opportunity for postseason play." Nikolic assists Moynihan in a variety of areas, including recruiting, on-the-field coaching and the development of training sessions. He is also responsible for coordinating team travel, the upkeep of Engelmann Field and fundraising and marketing efforts. Prior to the 2006 team, lights were installed at Engelmann Field, enhancing its reputation as one of the premier soccer facilities in the region. Nikolic played an intrical role in helping to secure funds for the project through various donors. He also participated in the planning stages of the project. Nikolic is a USSF `B' licensed coach and is a Region II Olympic Development Program staff coach. He has coached with the Wisconsin girls ODP program for 13 years. His teams have been Region II ODP finalists in 1999, 2001 and 2003. He is currently the head coach for the Region II Girls 1992 ODP team and has toured with the team to Germany in 2008 and Portugal in 2009. Nikolic also coached F.C. Milwaukee's adult program. In 2002, his U-23 men's team won the regional championship and finished third nationally. As a staff coach with the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club, Nikolic led three teams to third-place finishes at the Region II Midwest Championships. In his time with the club, he has coached seven state championship teams. Nikolic has also been director of the club's summer camps and currently coaches at summer camps regionally and nationally. Nikolic also served as the coach of the Milwaukee Kickers Majors men's team, which won the Wisconsin Open Cup in 2004, the regular season title in 2005 and the 2006 Wisconsin Amateur Championship. Nikolic had a successful 2005-06 campaign with the Kickers. His men's team won the 2006 Wisconsin State Outdoor Championship, Indoor Championship,Wisconsin Amateur Cup and also the Region II Over 30 Regional Event. The Over 30's finished as runners-up in the National Championship. In addition to his collegiate and club coaching career, Nikolic has also coached at the high school level. He coached at Wauwatosa East High School before moving to Milwaukee Pius XI, where he led the Lady Popes to an undefeated season, a state championship and a No. 16 national ranking. In 1992, he earned his bachelor's degree from UWM in mass communication and history. Nikolic resides in Milwaukee with his wife, Brittany, who is the head soccer coach at Alverno College. The couple were married in August. |
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