GAINESVILLE - A former college all american, professional player, and member of the US women's national team has joined the girls soccer staff at Gainesville High School.

Tara Koleski comes to GHS from Mansfield University where she led the Mounties women's soccer program for the last year. Prior to Mansfield, Koleski served as Director of Coaching for FC Arizona for three years, head coach at Dominican University of California for two years, and had coaching stints at University of Northern Iowa, University of Maryland-Baltimore, and West Chester University.

At West Chester, she earned, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year, the Southeast Pennsylvania Coaches Association (SEPCA) Women's College Coach of the Year, and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Coach of the Year.

Before her coaching career Koleski had an illustrious playing career. She was a member of the United States U-21 National Team in 1996–97, then went on to play professionally in Germany in 1999 and 2000. Koleski was drafted in the 11th round by the San Diego Spirit of the Women's United Soccer Association in 2001, and also played for the Philadelphia Charge and New York Power. She was part of the full United States women's national team pool in 2002.

Koleski earned her BA in Sociology from University of Portland, a Masters in Administration Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Koleski was an All-American forward and outside midfielder at UP, the Phoenix native helped lead the Pilots to the NCAA Final Four in 1996 and 1998. She also earned First-Team All-West Coast Conference honors.