Aurora Expands Role for Sporting Director and Head Coach Nicole Lukic

Eagan, MN –  Minnesota Aurora announced today that Sporting Director and Head Coach Nicole Lukic is joining the organization full time and will be expanding her responsibilities. In addition to leading the USL W team on the field, Lukic will now help lay a foundation for the formation of Minnesota Aurora camps, clinics and workshops for both rising  players and coaches. She will help the club create a pipeline for all players across the varying levels of the sport. 

“I am extremely excited to be able to bring Head Coach and Sporting Director Nicole Lukic onboard in a full-time capacity,” said Minnesota Aurora FC Team President and COO Jessica Poole. “What she has accomplished in two years with on-field results and team chemistry is nothing short of impressive. Her background in youth soccer and soccer operations, coupled with her elite playing and coaching experience, will only help Minnesota Aurora FC move to the next level. I look forward to her being a trusted thought partner in this space.” 

“I am thrilled to be able to dedicate more of my time to Minnesota Aurora FC. We have started something special here and I’m excited to keep building on it,” said Lukic. “I am beyond grateful to our players, front office, founders, and our community of fans who have made this opportunity possible for me.”

Lukic joined Aurora as its first head coach in 2021 ahead of the inaugural season and was named the USL W coach of the year. After a very successful first season, Lukic was promoted to Sporting Director for the 2022 season taking over leadership of all soccer operations.  Lukic has served as Director of Operations at Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club, one of the largest youth soccer organizations in Minnesota where she worked with coaches and teams to ensure success on and off the field. Lukic served as assistant director at Rush Select, an elite national program. Lukic has experience as a technical director, head coach, and assistant coach at the youth and college levels including starting a program for Rush Wisconsin West.

As a player, she starred for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Lukic holds a USSF A License, a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an MS in Athletic Administration from Ohio University, and has been recognized as a United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30 and the 2021 USYS midwest boys competitive coach of the year. 

About Aurora

Minnesota Aurora is a pre-professional soccer team in the USL W League that plays at TCO Stadium in Eagan, MN. The team is community owned with 3080 community investors.

In its first two seasons, Aurora is undefeated in the regular season at 23-0-1 and has won the Heartland Division title both years. Aurora averages 5800 fans per game. The team was founded by a group of Twin Cities residents to develop  the next generation of women’s talent, both on and off the field. For more visit MNAurora.com.