Katie Berkopec will begin her fourth season as a member of the coaching staff with the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer team in 2020. Berkopec, a native of Apple Valley, Minn., serves as an assistant coach and works with the team's goalkeepers.
Berkopec's arrival in Rogers Park has coincided with one of the most successful stretches in program history. During her first three years with the Maroon & Gold, the Ramblers have racked up 38 victories and swept the Missouri Valley Conference's regular season and tournament titles in each of the last two seasons.
In 2019, Berkopec oversaw the development of Grace Droessler, who took home Second Team All-Valley honors in addition to a spot on the league's All-Freshman Team. Droessler closed the year with an MVC-best 0.95 goals against average that matched Monica Gonyo's single-season program record. She also totaled seven clean sheets, good enough for third on the program's single-season record board.
"After an extensive interview process, I truly believe that we have found the right fit for both our women and our program in Katie," Loyola head women's soccer coach Barry Bimbi said. "She is a very motivated and energetic coach that will push our goalkeepers every day. I have no doubt that she is going to hit the ground running and will contribute to our program from day one."
Berkopec arrived in Rogers Park following a two-year stint at Winona State as a graduate assistant coach. In 2015, she was part of a staff that helped guide the Warriors to a third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. Berkopec assisted in the development of goalkeeper Rachel Oleson, who posted 11 shutouts and sported a 0.69 goals against average that ranked 26th nationally in 2015.
Prior to a one-year stint at Ripon College as an assistant coach, Berkopec enjoyed a successful stay at UW-Oshkosh as both a player and coach. As a senior, she posted an impressive 1.12 goals against average and held a 0.817 save percentage en route to finishing the year with a 9-6-2 record that included seven shutout performances. Following graduation, Berkopec remained at the school as a goalkeeper trainer during the spring of 2014.
"I am very excited to be joining the team here at Loyola University Chicago," Berkopec commented. "With Coach Bimbi, I am looking forward to building on the success of previous years and helping to take the team to a championship level. It will be a thrill to be training with a such great group of women both on and off the field."
Berkopec earned her Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from UW-Oshkosh in 2015 before earning a Master's degree in Education Leadership at Winona State.
