MONMOUTH, Ore. — Western Oregon University has named Nate Ulness as the new head coach of its women's soccer program, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randi Lydum announced Thursday.
 
Ulness arrives in Monmouth after serving as assistant coach and goalkeeper coach at Eastern Washington University since 2022. During his tenure, the Eagles produced three Big Sky Offensive Players of the Year, five first-team All-Big Sky selections and seven second-team honorees. Eastern Washington also saw a seven-win improvement and back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2016-17.
 
"We are excited to welcome coach Nate Ulness to WOU," Lydum said. "He brings exceptional experience and passion for competitive team development. His familiarity with the Pacific Northwest and the West region will make an immediate impact."
 
Prior to Eastern Washington, Ulness served as head coach at Laramie County Community College from 2020-22, compiling a 27-5-2 overall record. The Golden Eagles posted back-to-back nationally ranked seasons, including a 14-2 finish in 2021 and a 13-3-2 mark in 2020, and earned a Region IX championship. Ulness was named Region IX Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
 
Ulness previously founded the women's soccer program at Gillette College, guiding the program from its inception in 2017 to a 31-17-3 record over three seasons. Gillette advanced to the Region IX and district championships and reached as high as No. 7 in the national rankings.
 
"I am honored and excited to be leading WOU going forward and continue to build on the success of the program in both GNAC play and on the national stage," Ulness said. "The team is in an excellent spot and eager for more. I know we can accomplish great things together and I'm excited to work with them and assistant coach Emma Barrow toward our goal.
 
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Randi Lydum, as well as the committee for trusting in my vision, my family and I can't wait to be a Wolf."
 
He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Mary (NCAA Division II), helping develop multiple all-conference and all-region players.
 
At the high school level, Ulness compiled a combined record of 117-26 as head coach at Century High School, capturing multiple North Dakota state championships and conference titles. He was named NSCAA Girls Coach of the Year for North Dakota in both large and small school classifications and earned North Dakota Youth Soccer Association Girls Competitive Coach of the Year honors.
 
Ulness holds a Master of Education from the University of Mary and a Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a minor in coaching. He also possesses a U.S. Soccer "C" License.