Raleigh DeRose ready to command Redbird soccer team

Image courtesy of Redbird Athletics

NORMAL, Ill – Raleigh DeRose filled the role as the new Illinois State soccer head coach on Dec. 13 of last year.

DeRose carries experience as a player serving her undergraduate at Knox then transitioned to be an assistant coach – she later took the job at Brown University for eight years.

DeRose led the Bears to three Ivy League titles and four NCAA appearances. The team had a perfect 7-0 conference record and a 12-3-2 record this previous season.

“I decided to come to ISU because I feel like its resources and the student-athlete experience that it provides, a young woman with the soccer program, is second to none,” the new ISU coach said.

The road for Illinois State soccer has not been pleasant over the last few seasons. Only having a combined record of 6-23-5 throughout 2022-2023. Leah Crotty, Katie O’Malley and Julia Liguore were some of the notable starters that the Redbirds lost to this year’s transfer portal.

“I think when people leave, it provides more opportunity for others to step up and that’s a really exciting thing. When you’re in a program and your name is called upon you are able to grow and flourish, and I want those players to know I have confidence in them,” DeRose said. “If you look at the record it shows that it’s not impressive, and that’s okay because I’m here to help rebuild that. It doesn’t mean that it’s going to be done overnight, but I’m ready to invest in that.”

The team has announced they have signed eight new baby birds to the nest as of last December.

DeRose will bring a variety of new coaching skills and goals to the pitch this fall.

“I think by having the mindset of a good defensive team, we are going to be hard to breakdown and builds a sense of culture and work ethic on both sides of the ball,” she concluded.

DeRose and the Illinois State soccer team will be back in action for the 2024 season this fall.