Bears Add Cal Alumna to Coaching Staff for 2023 Season
BERKELEY – Cal women’s soccer head coach Neil McGuire announced Friday that alumna Rachel Mercik will make her return to the program as an assistant coach.
“We are truly excited to have Rachel back in Berkeley, and I couldn’t be happier for our student-athletes to learn from Rachel’s soccer experience, both as a collegiate and professional player, and as a coach,” McGuire said. “Having been mentored by Cal women’s soccer legend Tracy Hamm at UC Davis, we know Rachel will do a wonderful job here. She is a talented technical and tactical coach as well as a first-class person. We are so lucky to have her on our team.”
As a Bear, Mercik played in 75 matches, started in 51, and was a mainstay at the forward position in the Bears’ lineup from 2010-2013. She scored the second-most goals on the team her senior year with six, and tallied the second-most points with 16. This feat saw her voted an All-Pac-12 honorable mention and earned her the title of offensive player of the year for the team. She is lauded for scoring the overtime golden goal against rival Stanford in that same campaign that gave the Bears their first win over the Cardinal in six seasons.
In total, Mercik had 13 goals, 12 assists, and four game-winners.
“It’s truly a full circle moment for me as I return to Cal. To have the ability to come back as a coach, after a great 4 years here as a player, is a dream. I’m grateful for my time at Davis with Tracy, excited to continue my coaching journey with Neil and Cori, and can’t wait to wear the Cal colors again. Go Bears!”
The former Bear enjoyed a six-year 1st Division professional career, with stints at FFC Turbine Potsdam in Germany, Vittsjö GIK in Sweden, and Apollon Ladies F.C. in Cyprus. Her Apollon Ladies F.C team saw a Cypriot Championship, League Championship, Super Cup Championship, and a berth to the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She has also been a part of three different WPSL summer league teams including the Seattle Sounders, SF Knighthawks, and California Storm, where she played alongside Cal assistant coach Cori Callahan.
Mercik had many appearances in the international circuit, attending several US Youth National team camps, and represented the US U-18’s in Argentina for a three-game friendly series.
Mercik spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at UC Davis. During her…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at California Golden Bears Athletics…