Assistant coach Justin Ruetz completed his fourth season on head coach Erika True's staff for the Indiana State women's soccer program in 2012. Ruetz joined head coach True at ISU on March 2, 2009, and currently holds the top assistant coach position.
This past season, the Sycamores put together a late-season unbeaten streak of four games, earning a spot in the conference tournament on the final day of the season. The fifth-seeded Sycamores pulled off upsets of #4 Northern Iowa and #1 Evansville en route to making just the program's second appearance in the MVC Tournament championship match. ISU posted an 8-10-3 record in 2012, including a 2-3-1 mark in MVC play.
In 2010, the
Sycamores finished with their second most wins in school history, while
also setting the school record for fewest goals allowed. ISU
also set the program record for most MVC Player of the Week selections
(five), most MVC First Team Scholar-Athlete selections (four), most
overall MVC Scholar-Athlete selections (five). Indiana State also led
the entire Missouri Valley Conference in 2010 in first team and overall
selections to the scholar-athlete team.
In Ruetz's first season at Indiana State, the Sycamores set or tied several program records for: most MVC Player of the Week selections (four), most road results in a single season (five), most MVC First Team Scholar-Athlete selections (three), most overall MVC Scholar-Athlete selections (four) and most goals in a game (two -- by seniors Katlin Owens and Erin Bianchi).
Ruetz came to Indiana State from Belmont University where he worked as the assistant coach under Lisa Howe from August of 2008 until January of 2009. In his first year, Ruetz helped Belmont secure their first conference championship in school history with a record 15 wins and also guided them to an NCAA Tournament appearance. His responsibilities included daily team management, training, game preparation, and tactical development. Ruetz also worked with player identification in recruiting on a national level and was accountable for all scouting reports for upcoming opponents.
Ruetz also spent nearly two years at Saint Joseph’s College, a Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference affiliate. He was named the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs in August of 2006 and was hired as the interim head coach for both teams in October of the same year. After the men’s team acquired a head coach, Ruetz was kept on as the top assistant coach where he continued his duties with the team. While working for Saint Joseph’s, Ruetz was the technical director for the U-15 and U-16 premier teams that were a part of the Northwest Indiana United Futbol Club, where he helped the U-15 team capture the best record in their Indiana Soccer League.
To begin his more prestigious soccer coaching experience, Ruetz became the assistant director of player development and club operations for the Noblesville United Soccer Club in 2004. He oversaw the development and training of over 750 soccer players and numerous club coaches.
Ruetz began his playing career for Carmel United and Dynamo FC in Indianapolis. As a member of the first undefeated high school team in IHSAA history, Ruetz was recruited to play for NAIA Milligan College. Prior to playing for the nationally-ranked Buffaloes, Reutz spent time training and playing with the California Seahorses who were ultimately the 2002 PDL National Champions. While at Milligan, Ruetz was an adademic all-American and an AAC All-Conference player.
Ruetz graduated from Saint Joseph’s College in 2007 with a degree in Business Administration. He currently holds his National and Advanced Coaching Diploma from the NSCAA, passing both with Distinction.
“Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting Coach True and discussing her plans for the program knows that the Sycamore soccer program is in great hands and has a brilliant future,” Ruetz stated. “Indiana State has always had the potential to be great in women’s soccer and with Erika now leading the efforts I believe that potential will be realized. Having spent much of my life in Indiana, it is a blessing to be able to return home and help develop this program to reach a new standard of success. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Sycamore soccer program and I am very grateful for the opportunity that Coach True has given me.”
