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University of Northwestern St. Paul

St. Paul, MN 55113
Minnesota Northwest
Private Small Developing team
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Josh Pettit

Josh Pettit is entering his 16th season as the Head Coach of the Women’s Soccer team at the University of Northwestern. Additionally, Coach Pettit is the Athletic Facilities Manager for the UNW Athletic Department.


Coach Pettit and his squad have had success in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, and have reached goals that had never been reached in the program’s history. Coach Pettit has won the UMAC Championship twice (2015. 2017) and has won the Conference Tournament twice as well (2010, 2018). The 2010 squad was the first team in program history to reach the NCAA National Tournament, and the 2018 team returned to the National Tournament as well.


Coach Pettit’s athletes have been very decorated by the conference during this successful run as a team. He has coached three UMAC Player/Rookie of the Year athletes in his time leading the women’s soccer program. Additionally, Pettit has been named the conference Coach of the Year twice. Coach Petit has won exactly 150 games at UNW, which makes him the all time winningest coach in school history.


Coach graduated from Northwestern where he was a standout soccer player. He played from 1993-1998 and was a captain and all-conference award winner. After leaving UNW, Pettit played in France and Sweden for the Charlotte Eagles. Pettit has a lot of coaching experience, having served as the head coach at Hudson High School (Wis.), Bethel University, and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls before arriving at Northwestern.


Coach Pettit currently resides in Roberts, Wisconsin with his wife Carrie and their three sons Jackson, Jeffrey, and Joseph.

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Josh Niedermayer

Assistant women’s soccer coach (7th season)


Aside from his soccer duties, Niedermayer has been working as a Project Manager in the IT department on campus since 2012


Graduated from Northwestern in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems (MIS), as well as a master’s in Business Administration in 2016


Played at UNW from 2007 to 2010


Named Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) academic all-conference in 2008 and 2010


In 2010, he was second in the conference for goals against (9) and first in save percentage (.850)


Niedermayer and his wife, Mara, reside in Champlin with their sons Oliver and Owen, and their daughter Ruby

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Aaron Thelen

Assistant women’s soccer coach (7th season)


Graduated from Northwestern in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education & Health Education with a coaching minor


Apart from UNW athletics, Thelen serves as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of New Hope


Played in an Eagle uniform from 2005-2008


As a four-year letter winner on the men’s squad, Thelen was a team captain his senior year and played a pivotal role in the Eagles conference championship in 2005


Thelen and his wife, Amy, reside in Maple Grove with their daughter Emmaline

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Greg Wheaton

Greg Wheaton is entering his 23rd season as the Head Coach of the Men’s Soccer Team at the University of Northwestern in 2022.


It did not take long for Coach Wheaton’s squad to start making an impact in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. In only Coach’s second season, the Eagles made the Conference Championship game. Wheaton reached the championship game in 2001, 2002, and 2004. Finally, in 2005 the Eagles broke through and won the UMAC Tournament.


Coach Wheaton has been named the UMAC Coach of the Year three times in his career.


While at UNW, Coach Wheaton has coached four NCCAA Academic All-Americans, four NAIA All-Americans, and three NAIA Academic All-Americans. Coach Wheaton is the longest tenured coach in program history by a wide margin, and is the all-time winningest coach in program history with 178 career victories.


Before starting his coaching career, Wheaton had a prestigious career as an athlete. Coach Wheaton is a former NCAA Division I player and was a two-time All-Big South Conference honoree at Liberty University. Following his collegiate career, Wheaton played professional soccer with the Minnesota Thunder of the USISL. Wheaton also played for the Internationals of the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL) and for the Minnesota State Select Team from 2000-2002. He also played professionally in Brazil, Bolivia, Africa, and the Middle East.


Separate from his UNW Soccer duties, Wheaton owns and directs the International School of Soccer Excellence (ISSE) and works with players of various ages to provide coaching, training, and development services.

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Brad Wildman

Assistant men’s soccer coach/recruiting coordinator (9th year)


Currently holds a Ed.S. in Educational Leadership


Worked as the assistant men’s soccer coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of St. Thomas for 11 years


Previous resume also includes experience with the University of Minnesota men’s club team, the former Professional Developmental League (PDL) Minnesota Tornado team, and numerous area club programs


Former Board Member for the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League


Wildman holds both United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) licenses and has conducted coaching licensure course for the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA)


Served as District Select Coach for MYSA

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