Nikki Driesse has been hired as New York University's Assistant Women's Soccer Coach. 

A 2017 graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Driesse was a two-year member and one-year captain of the Nittany Lions' women's soccer team. As a senior, she was named, All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten All-Tournament Team, Academic All-Big Ten, and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team. Driesse led the team in assists (six) and recorded the game-winning goal in a 6-0 victory over Bucknell University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

In her first year at Penn State, Driesse played in all 27 games as the Nittany Lions won the NCAA Division I National Championship.
 

Prior to her time at Penn State, Driesse was a two-year member of the Florida State University women's soccer team. While there, she was the only Seminole freshman to play in all 28 matches, making 27 starts and resulting in 2,099 minutes on the pitch. Driesse was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team, Soccer America All-Freshman First Team, TopDrawerSoccer.com Freshmen Best XI Second Team and the ACC All-Academic Team. 

As a sophomore, Driesse played in all 26 games as the Seminoles also captured the NCAA Division I National Championship. 
 
"I believe Nikki is a great fit for our program because she is passionate and knowledgeable about the game, driven to succeed, and cares about student-athlete growth and development," said Head Coach Michele Canning. "She has proven championship success which I think will keep pushing us to the next level. I am very excited for her to get started!" 

Driesse has coaching experience, leading Northern Highlands (NJ) High School to league championships in 2019 and 2020 and to the state sectional final in 2020. 

Also possessing professional playing experience. Driesse was drafted by the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2017, played for them and the New Jersey Sky Blue (2019), and recently competed for the Puerto Rican Women's National Team against Uruguay.
 
"Being from North Jersey, New York has always been just outside my backyard. So, when I heard about the possibility of coaching at New York University I knew it was an opportunity I wasn't going to let slip away," Driesse said. "Not only was it the idea of coaching at the collegiate level, but doing so at a prestigious school and a competitive program like NYU. I look forward to bringing my knowledge of the game and experience to this program and helping the players develop both on and off the field. I truly believe this is the start to something really special." 

A native and resident of Wayne, NJ, Driesse also played for the United States U-17 and U-20 National Teams.