Dixie State University Director of Athletics Dr. Jason Boothe announced on Monday the appointment of Molly Rouse as the new head women's soccer coach.

"I could not be more excited to welcome Molly to Dixie State and the Trailblazer family," Dr. Boothe said. "She will bring phenomenal experience, passion, and dedication with her that will solidify this team for a long time.

"In addition to her incredible soccer background as a player and coach, Molly is someone that cares very deeply about the complete student-athlete experience, developing each student-athlete for their future, not just for their time while in school," Boothe added. "She's the perfect fit to lead this wonderful team into the Western Athletic Conference and Division I."

Boothe also noted that Katy Young Staudt with Ventura Partners assisted in DSU's national search for the program's new head coach.

Coach Rouse comes to Dixie State after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota. In 2018, she helped lead the Golden Gophers to a Big Ten Tournament championship, which included a win over nationally-ranked Penn State in the title match, and an NCAA Tournament first round victory over Auburn.

Prior to her return to Minnesota, Rouse was an assistant coach as four other Division-I programs, including Iowa (2017-18), Nebraska-Omaha (2017), Buffalo (2015-16) and Alabama State (2014). Prior to her transition into coaching, Rouse played professionally for the Minnesota Kings and Vancouver Whitecaps in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

"I would like to thank Dr. Jason Boothe and the search committee members for the opportunity to lead the Dixie State University Women's Soccer program," Coach Rouse said. "Throughout the interview process, the expressed vision and sense of the athletic department community felt like a perfect fit. I am honored and humbled to begin working with a historically successful program during its transition to the Division I level. In these unprecedented times, I am truly grateful and excited for this incredible opportunity to join the Trailblazer family.

"This is an exciting time for Dixie State as it begins competing in the WAC," Coach Rouse added. "Embarking on this new journey and into the head coach's chair, I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead, meeting the team and working with the DSU athletic department. I am eager and ready to hit the ground running. My husband, Dane Obermeyer, and I also cannot wait to relocate, get to know the St. George community, and take in the spectacular natural beauty of southern Utah. GO TRAILBLAZERS!"

Rouse played soccer collegiately at Minnesota for four seasons from 2007-10. She appeared in 88 career matches for the Golden Gophers and netted 18 total goals with 17 assists, including an assist in a school record tying five-straight matches in 2008.

Rouse graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Minnesota in 2010. She currently holds a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) National "A-Senior" Coaching License.

"While I will miss Gopher Soccer, I am grateful for how the University of Minnesota helped shape me as a leader to strong and inspired women," said Rouse. "Returning to my alma mater was an experience I will cherish for a lifetime. I appreciate the support of head coach Stef Golan, as her guidance helped foster personal growth in me on and off the field. Additionally, I would like to thank former head coach, Mikki Denney Wright, who helped define my Gopher playing career and inspired my path into the coaching ranks. Moving forward, I am honored to represent all the incredible programs and leaders who have prepared me for this moment."

Dixie State posted a 12-4-6 overall record in its final season on NCAA Division II play in 2019, which included the program's second-ever NCAA D-II Tournament appearance. The Trailblazers went 2-1-1 in the NCAA tournament, which included wins over No. 1-ranked UCCS and No. 9-ranked DBU, which clinched the program's first-ever D-II South Central Region title and a trip to the NCAA National Quarterfinal match (Elite 8).

DSU netted a school record 56 goals last season and finished the year ranked eighth in the final United Soccer Coaches' Top-25 national poll.