Jess Ries has been an Assistant Coach for the Vikings since 2015. In her five seasons as an assistant coach, the Vikings have advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times and the NSIC Tournament all five times.
In 2019 the Vikings went 16-5-1 and won the second-most games in program history. They went to the NSIC Tournament for the seventh-consecutive season, NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history.
In her fourth season as an assistant coach, Ries helped guide the 2018 Vikings to a 12-6-3 record and NCAA Tournament appearance for the second year in a row, fifth time in school history and fourth time in the last five years. Augustana also advanced to the NISC Tournament for the sixth-consecutive season.
With Ries's assistance in 2017, Augustana made its fourth NCAA tournament in program history and advanced to the NCAA Second Round for the second time in school history, finishing the season with a record of 14-4-5 (11-1-3 NSIC). The Vikings went on to break the school single season shutout record with 14 shutouts and made its third consecutive NSIC tournament final, finishing as runner-ups for the second straight season.
Ries had a hand in seven All-NSIC selections, one CCA All-Region honoree, five NSIC Players of the Week and four NSIC All-Tournament performers. Academically, the Vikings had their second and third CoSIDA Academic All-District recipients (Hannah Keirstead and Courtney Almendinger) and Keirstead became the first Viking soccer student-athlete to win the distinction twice.
In Ries’s second season as an Assistant for women’s soccer at Augustana in 2016, Ries helped the Vikings to a record of 13-5-3 (10-2-3 NSIC) finishing fourth in the NSIC standings and concluding their season in the NSIC Tournament title match.
The 13 wins in 2016 are tied for the third most in school history. Offensively, during the 2016 season Augustana scored the fifth most goals (38) in a single season in school history. Defensively, the Vikings produced the fourth best goalie save percentage (.849) and shutouts (6) in a single season and the fifth lowest goals against avg. (1.00).
With Ries's assistance the Vikings had seven student-athletes earn All-NSIC recognition in 2016. Augustana had one first team honoree, two on the second team, three on the third team and one earn honorable mention.
The Vikings had four student-athletes named to the NSIC All-Tournament team. Augustana advanced to the NSIC Tournament title match for the second consecutive season after defeating No. 5 seed Minnesota Duluth in the quarterfinals and the No. 1 seed Minot State in the semis. The Vikings fell to No. 2 seed Minnesota State in the finals. Augustana was the No. 4 seed in the tournament.
In her first season as an assistant coach for the Vikings Ries helped lead Augustana to their first ever NSIC Conference Championship. The Vikings defeated Winona State 1-0 to win the championship and earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, the programs third ever trip.
With Ries’ help the Vikings broke numerous season records in 2015 including points scored (117), Game Winning goals (19), Assists (35), shots attempted (398), shots on goal (181), Goals against average (0.65), Wins (19), shutouts (11) and games played (23). The Vikings also set a record for All-NSIC honorees with seven and for the first time had an athlete selected to the NSIC All-Tournament team (4).
Ries began her coaching career with Dakota Alliance Soccer Club, and with local high school soccer teams in the Sioux Falls area. In 2013, Ries was the head coach to the JV Roosevelt High School team and assistant to the Varsity, helping guide the girls’ soccer team to a state championship title. In 2014, Ries assisted the Roosevelt High School team voluntarily, leading the girls to another successful season finishing 9-2-1 record. Ries has worked with the club for three years, coaching a variety of age groups, and both genders. The former Augustana graduate currently holds a USSF National "E" License.
The Sioux Falls, S.D. native played four years at Roosevelt High School, and many years with Dakota Gold soccer club. She played collegiately at Augustana University for all four years where she was captain her senior year.
Ries graduated from Augustana in 2012 with a major in Elementary Education, minor in Special Education, endorsement in English as a Learned Language (ELL). She currently pursues her master’s degree through the University of Sioux Falls in leadership and reading. In addition, she teaches fourth grade at Hayward Elementary in Sioux Falls. She is married to Tom Ries.
