RIVER FOREST, ILL. -- Concordia University Chicago Athletics and Director of Athletics John Jaramillo are pleased to announce the hiring of Patrick Elster as the Interim Head Women's Soccer Coach, effective immediately.

"I am excited that Patrick Elster will lead Concordia University Chicago Women's Soccer," said Jaramillo. "I've been fortunate to work with Patrick this past year and witness him grow and excel as a coach across many facets. I believe he is ready for this opportunity. Patrick is mature beyond his years and brings a wealth of knowledge from his soccer playing and coaching experiences, including learning under the tutelage of a head coach I respect in Eddie Garza. He knows our student-athletes and our student-athletes know him, and he already had prominent roles in team management, game and practice planning, recruiting, and more that prepared him for this moment."

Elster initially joined the Concordia University Chicago women's soccer staff as the graduate assistant in the fall of 2025. He previously played in the Chicago Fire's MLS Next program before competing for four years at Earlham College, where he was a two-year captain and recipient of the Outstanding Leadership Award. Elster holds his USSF coaching license while also coaching top ECNL-RL and NPL teams with Downers Grove Roadrunners, one of the premier youth clubs in the Chicagoland area.

Previously, Elster resided in Jacksonville, Fla. where he spent two years teaching English, coaching soccer, and serving as the Assistant Athletic Director at an under-resourced school. While teaching, Elster nearly doubled the number of students performing at grade level, emphasizing his leadership abilities. 

"I want to thank Eddie Garza for everything he's poured into this program and Director of Athletics John Jaramillo for trusting me with the opportunity to lead our women's soccer team this fall," said Elster. "We have a bright, talented, and resilient squad capable of achieving great things. The bar will be set quite high, as we're looking to play our way back into the conference tournament and beyond. While we have our work cut out for us, this is an experienced returning group catalyzed by a dynamic incoming class. I'm excited to guide, challenge, and support them as we step into this fall."
 
"Patrick will bring continuity, stability, and a fresh voice to our student-athletes, and I am looking forward to working with him as we prepare for a successful fall 2026 campaign," noted Jaramillo.

Elster earned his bachelor's degree from Earlham College in 2023 and is currently working toward his master's in Sports Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.