The second cup run was with, without question, the very best group of players I have ever played with which includes Boca alum Marlon LeBlanc, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at West Virginia. With no hesitation … winning the state cup twice with the club! Our first state cup championship was in our very first season together, it was magical … everything just came together at the right time. What were your fondest memories (you can talk about a few if you wish) about playing for Boca? Many of them will make an immediate impact in our program this fall. The players coming in have tremendous abilities and great potential. We are going to be a very young team in the fall (15 freshman), but I think we finally have good depth and far more options then a year ago. How does your squad look for this upcoming season? This school is 100% dedicated to student and is an absolutely fantastic place to experience college. KU is one of the most student friendly campuses I have ever been on. As for how it differs, it is impossible to compare.
Finally, and some people laugh when I say this, but I truly believe that KU Women’s Soccer has the potential to win a NCAA Division II National Championship and stay very competitive on a national level year-in-and-year-out … that’s our goal, no question. Secondly, the coaching staff’s from the other sports KU offers had all been in their positions for 5+ years, that really says something … people come to KU and stay. What motivated you to take the position at KU and how does it differ from the previous spots you held?įirst off, location – my wife and I really wanted to get back in the northeast and near family and friends. I feel like I have found a “true fit” and I hope to be here for a very long time. Our facilities are tremendous, the campus is stunning and the support from the athletic department is truly spectacular. Personally, I have greatly enjoyed my first year at KU. In addition, we need to recruit players who can be successful in the very competitive environment our program offers … that’s not always easy. We also need to continue identifying the types of players who meet the very high standard we have here. As a team we are trying to develop a different style of play and promote a totally different mentality from years past, and that is going to take a bit more time. Overall, I think it was a fairly successful season.
Overall, how was your first season in charge of KU last year both from a team and personal standpoint? Interview with Erik Burstein, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Kutztown University:
He currently holds a USSF National “B” license, USSF National Goalkeeping and Youth licenses, as well as NSCAA Goalkeeping Level III National and Youth diplomas.Ī two-time member of Boca’s New Jersey State Cup championship teams of 19 and former assistant coach of Boca’s PDL side in 2003, Burstein recently took some time to talk about his first year experiences at Kutztown, his motivations for taking the position and recalls some of his youth days with Boca. The Toms River native has also spent time on the coaching staff with the New Jersey Olympic Development Program.Īn accomplished goalkeeper in his own right, Burstein was a two-time all-conference, all-county and all-state first-team selection at his alma mater, Toms River East High School and was an All-America selection as a senior in 1994.īurstein played professionally in both the United States with the Brooklyn Italians and in England with Leyton Orient FC. The former Boca standout headed to Kutztown from Bowling Green State University, where he served as an assistant coach during the 2006 season and prior to BGSU, was the head coach at Division III Rutgers University-Newark for several years.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (May 1, 2008) – After a distinguished youth and professional career along with some coaching stops after his playing days ended, Jersey Shore Boca alum Erik Burstein, who begins his second year in charge as the head women’s soccer coach at Kutztown University, still is as passionate as ever about the sport he loves, his new surroundings and his memories of his former youth club.īurstein will enter his second season in charge of the women’s program at KU this fall after posting an overall record of 10-6-3 his first year. A two-time member of Boca’s State Cup championship teams, he recently took some time to talk to about his first year experiences at KU.īoca alum talks about his new position, upcoming season and memories of his former youth club
After a youth and pro career along with some coaching stops after his playing days, Boca alum Erik Burstein, who begins his 2nd year in charge of women’s soccer at Kutztown, is still as passionate as ever about the sport he loves, his new surroundings and his memories of his former youth club.