James Price has announced his resignation as head coach of the Upper Iowa University women's soccer program effective at the end of May. Price is leaving the college game to be the Technical Director at Iowa Rush North, where he can follow his passion for growing the sport of soccer and developing youth in the sport he loves.
 
"This decision is bittersweet," said Price. "I have enjoyed my six years at Upper Iowa immensely, but I am excited to help continue to grow the game of soccer and the club in Waverly going forward. I want to thank all the players, coaches and support staff that I have worked with, and appreciate the support I have received from the athletic administration over my time in Fayette. I believe the women's soccer program is destined for great things and can't wait to follow and support them as they prepare for the fall season."
 
Price has served as the head women's soccer coach since February 2016 and has led the Peacocks to 28 wins in five seasons with the 2020 campaign lost to the pandemic. The team's best seasons with Price came in 2016 and this past fall, 2021, with eight wins in each season.
 
"I want to thank James for his leadership and friendship over the last six years here at Upper Iowa," said UIU Vice President for Athletics Rick Hartzell. "I wish him all the best, and I am so happy for him to be able to move on to a position that is so exciting to him personally. He has left this program in great shape and has steadily improved the on-field product over the last few seasons."
 
Six players were named to the All-NSIC Team under Price including two-time, All-NSIC defender Aimee Sies, as well as Leah Willenbring, Facie Graham, Birgit Rinders, Mackenzie Taldone and Brianne Fenton.
 
The Peacocks finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 8-9 and a mark of 6-9 in the Northern Sun Conference. The overall record marks the program's best winning percentage since going 11-7-1 (10-4-1 NSIC) in 2014. The six conference victories by the Peacocks are their best total since winning seven in 2016. Upper Iowa finished the season ranked 10th in the NSIC standings after being voted to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the preseason coaches' poll.
 
The Peacocks return six seniors to their lineup in 2022. Willenbring returns after her All-NSIC nod in 2021; she led Upper Iowa and was fifth in the NSIC with five assists against NSIC opponents and six assists overall. Katie Samuels and Haley Ramberg also return for the fall after pacing the Peacocks with four goals apiece in 2021. The three other seniors include Jordan Zarate (17 games, 13 starts), Toni Powsey (16 games, 16 starts, 1 goal, 2 assists) and Grace Birdsley (17 games, 13 starts).
 
A national search for the new head coach will begin immediately.