*Photo courtesy of Penn State Athletics
FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason women's soccer head coach Todd Bramble announced today Emma Thomson has been hired as an assistant coach for the Patriots. Thomson comes to Fairfax via New York where she spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant at St. John's University.
“Emma will prove to be a tremendous addition to our staff in a variety of ways,” commented Bramble. “Her playing background, coaching and leadership education, recruiting contacts and personality will undoubtedly impact our program in a positive manner. Her passion for the game and player development is contagious and I can't wait to get her plugged into our system here.”
For the past two seasons with the Red Storm, Thomson assisted with team and individual development in addition to recruiting efforts and video analysis. Thomson also held additional responsibilities including conference-mandated video sharing and opponent scouting at St. John's.
While working towards a Masters in Sports Management, Thomson also held stints with Coach for Prime Soccer, Inc. planning and running training sessions for various travel teams and game day management. During the offseason, Thomson assisted Eastern New York ODP to train and develop the girls ODP team and create practice plans following the state's core strategies.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the George Mason women's soccer program,” Thomson stated. “I am really looking forward to working with Coach Bramble and Coach Vandeveer to help the student-athletes continue their success on and off the field.”
A four-year starter for Penn State women's soccer, Thomson helped the Nittany Lions to four NCAA Tournament appearances, collecting four Big Ten Championships and one Big Ten Tournament Championship. The 2011 PSU Defender of the Year, Thomson was tabbed Academic All-Big Ten in 2009 and 2010. A team captain her final two seasons, Thomson played professionally with the Boston Breakers and Doncaster Belles (UK) following graduation from 2012-13.
Thomson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Penn State in 2012, before completing her Masters in Sports Management from St. John's in 2015.
