The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff needs a new head women’s soccer coach after losing its current leader to another Division I school.
Gardner-Webb announced Saturday it is hiring UAPB Coach Erik Solberg to the same position.
“Impossible to put my four years into words,” Solberg said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I gave my all for the Golden Lions each day. I am so grateful to [former athletic director] Chris Peterson and [current athletic director Chris Robinson] for trusting me to lead, and I am so proud of all UAPB soccer accomplished, both on and off the field. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Solberg was hired as UAPB head coach in March 2020 after one season at Northwestern Oklahoma State. In four seasons with the Lady Lions, he amassed a 28-44-2 overall record with an 11-22-1 SWAC mark, with an 18-21-2 overall record and 8-9-1 SWAC record in his final two seasons.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
After the Lady Lions missed the SWAC tournament the year prior to Solberg’s arrival, he led UAPB to the tournament each of his four seasons.
Solberg coached 12 all-SWAC players, including an offensive player, defensive player, and freshman of the year. A UAPB player was named SWAC player of the week eight times under Solberg.
UAPB released a statement from athletic director Chris Robinson, in which he congratulated Solberg on his success as the Lady Lions’ coach.
“During his tenure, the program improved year after year, making four historic conference tournament appearances in a row,” Robinson said in part. “Under his leadership, the program was not only successful on the field, the team was consistently one of the top performing programs within athletics and throughout the conference. We wish him and his family the very best.”