Aaron Tilsen enters his third year as the head coach of the Missouri Southern Women's Soccer Program for the 2021 season. Tilsen came to Southern from Minnesota State-Mankato where he was the goalkeepers coach.
In the 2020 spring season the Lions went 4-9 overall and were 1-4 in the South division of the MIAA. Making their first appearance in the MIAA conference tournament since 2017. During the season the Lions earned wins over Newman (1-0, 3-0), #8 Central Missouri (3-2 OT) and Evangel (3-1). In the win against the #8 Jennies was the Lions first win against them since 2013 and the first home win against the Jennies since 2005. Bailey Belcher was named a first-team All-MIAA forward and Rylie Johnson was a second-team All-MIAA defender. 16 Lions were named onto the MIAA Academic Honor Rolls and Belcher was named a MIAA Scholar-Athlete. Belcher, Johnson and Laver were named onto the USCA College Player Award of Distinction once again.
In his first year at the helm of the Lions, Tilson led Southern to a 3-14-1 record and a 2-8-1 MIAA record. During the season, the Lions earned wins over Drury (1-0), Missouri Western (4-1) and Washburn (2-1) with a 1-1 draw with Nebraska Kearney. Southern had four All-MIAA Honorable Mention selections and placed four on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Lariah Boone, Maya Greenquist, Jori Hays and Banner Williams were MIAA Academic Excellence award winners for transfers/newcomers. Belcher, Johnson and Riley Laver were named onto the USCA College Player Award of Distinction.
In 2018 at MSU, Tilsen helped the Mavericks to a 19-3-1 record, 13-1-1 in conference play, winning the second-most matches in school history. MSU was ranked 11 of the 14 ranks, with its highest position coming in at No. 13.
Tilsen helped Alexa Rabune put her name in the record books at MSU as she moved up to No. 2 in wins (19), third in shutouts (12), seventh in saves (81) and ninth in goals against average (0.68). In her career, Rabune finished the season ranked fifth in wins (26), third in shutouts (18), seventh in saves (133), sixth in goals-against average (0.84) and seventh in save percentage (.811).
The Mavericks had three All-Region players and six All-Conference players, including six of the 11 players on the All-Tournament Team. MSU did well in the classroom, as well as the team had 19 players named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.
In 2017, the Mavericks finished third nationally in shutouts, fourth in goals against average and eighth in save percentage.
A Native of St. Paul, Minn., Tilsen has spent over 20 years coaching club soccer in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He previously served as Director of Coaching for the Twin Cities Fire Soccer Club and brings years of experience coaching and developing players.
Tilsen has over 15 years of high school experience including, Head Coach at Robbinsdale Cooper, Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony (girls) and Forest Lake (boys), as well as being an assistant coach at St. Paul Central, Park Center and Bloomington Jefferson.
He has obtained his USSF B license, NSCAA Premier and NSCAA GK level 1 and level 2 diplomas. Tilsen graduated Cum Laude from MSU in Spring 2017 with a BS in Sports Management and a Coaching Minor.
Tilsen and his wife Lisa have a son Aidan, as well as a dog Lucy and cats Molly, Benny and Tommy.
