Nikki Driesse

Nikki Driesse's soccer story kicked off early, leading to a standout playing career and now a solid spot in coaching at the college level. She graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, where she spent two years on the Nittany Lions' women's team—captaining her senior year and earning All-Big Ten First Team honors, plus spots on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team. That season, she topped the team in assists and scored a game-winner in the NCAA Tournament opener against Bucknell.
Before Penn State, Nikki started at Florida State, playing a key role in back-to-back NCAA Division I National Championships—first as a freshman starting nearly every game and picking up All-ACC Freshman Team nods, then as a sophomore helping secure another title. Her youth days included stints on the U.S. U-17 and U-20 National Teams, and professionally, she got drafted by the Orlando Pride in the NWSL, suited up for Sky Blue FC, and represented Puerto Rico against Uruguay.
Shifting gears to coaching, Nikki guided Northern Highlands High School to league titles in 2019 and 2020, plus a state sectional final. Since joining NYU as Assistant Women's Soccer Coach in 2021, she's focused on recruiting and developing attackers, helping the Violets rack up impressive seasons—like a 12-3-6 record in 2024 with a Sweet 16 run, and earning USC Region IV Staff of the Year honors in 2023 alongside her colleagues. With her firsthand experience from elite competition and a knack for building teams, Nikki brings real insight to women's soccer gear, training tips, and getting more folks into the game.