University of Dubuque

University of Dubuque Spartans Athletics
2000 University Avenue Dubuque, IA 52001

Division 3 Iowa Midwest

Private Small Developing team

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Coaches

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Jason Berna

Jason Berna joined the University of Dubuque in 2001. He started the men's and women's soccer programs in 2001 and was both the Men's and Women's Head Soccer coach for eight season before stepping down as the Men's Coach in 2008 to focus on leading women's program. Coach Berna led the Spartans to their first-ever regular season IIAC title and second IIAC Tournament title in school history during the 2014 season. The Spartans fell in the 2014 NCAA First Round in their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in school history.

In 2019, Berna helped the Spartans secure their third consecutive winning season, all of which resulted in top four finishes in the conference. On October 3rd, UD took down UW-Platteville 2-0, giving the program 200 wins, all of which have been coached by Berna.

In 2015, the Spartans reached their fourth consecutive, double-digit win season for the first time in school history after finishing 10-7-2. A trio of seniors left as the winningest class in school history with 53 wins. With two selections in 2015, it marked the seventh straight season Coach Berna has coached two or more First Team All-IIAC selections.

Berna's 2014 squad tied the school record with six All-IIAC selections. Its senior class compiled the second most wins (52) in school history. Senior Lauren Waddell became the only woman in school history to be named All-IIAC (2nd team or better) three times and was honored as UD's Female Senior of the Year for her four-year career accomplishments.

Berna led the women's team to 12 straight conference tournament appearances and 15 out of 18 in the program's history. He was named IIAC Women's Coach of the year in 2005, 2009, 2012, and 2013. He led the men's team to two straight playoff appearances and reached the IIAC Tournament Championship semi-finals in his final year as the men's head coach.

As the Women's Coach, he has coached: 71 All-Conference athletes (36-First Team/ 27-Second Team), 16 All-Region performers, four Conference MVP's, 118 Academic All-Conference student-athletes and two scholar All-Americans. He has always pushed his teams to not only do well on the field, but in the class room. The women's program has received team academic awards from the NSCAA in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 for having above a 3.0 team GPA.

Berna graduated from Loras College in 2001 and played four years, was a three-time All-Iowa Conference selection, and three-year captain. He also trained and played in 1999 with the Des Menace PDL team for one summer before tearing his ACL for the second time. He was an assistant coach with his alma mater for one season with the men's and women's soccer programs before joining UD. Berna also serves as the Dubuque Soccer Club administrator and as an Iowa Olympic Development State Staff coach for the past five years.

Berna holds the highest coaching license offered by the United States Soccer Federation, an "A" License as well as his NSCAA Goal Keeping License. He is also a state license instructor teaching the USSF "D" course on campus so students can obtain their beginning coaching license while attending UD.

Berna received a master's degree in Physical Education and Athletic Administration and an undergraduate degree in sports science from Loras College in 2001 and 1999. He and his wife Nicole reside in Dubuque with their four children.

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Autumn Riedel

In the Summer of 2023 Autumn Riedel joined the UD Women’s Soccer program after graduating from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. At Ohio Northern she was on the Women’s Soccer team for all 4 years.

Last Spring, Autumn coached a U8 Boys team and a U10 Girls team. Autumn also has prior experience with coaching soccer of young ages.

Prior to her time at Ohio Northern, Autumn played for her High School and Club, WNY Flash Academy. She was Captain of her High School Soccer team her senior year.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Autumn graduated from Lancaster High School in 2019. She was able to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management in 2023 and is planning to graduate from UD in 2025 with a Master’s degree in Sport Management.