PELLA—An experienced high school head coach, former University of Illinois women's soccer manager Izzy Schmitt is the new full-time assistant coach for the Central College women's soccer team.
           
Schmitt was a team manager at Illinois for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Schmitt worked under Janet Rayfield, the winningest coach in program history as the team went 11-16-2. Seven of those wins came in Big 10 Conference matches.
           
After spending the 2020 and 2021 seasons as an assistant girls soccer coach at The High School of Saint Thomas More, Schmitt took over as the head coach in 2022. She guided the team to 8-12-2 mark in her only season at the helm. Schmitt was also an assistant coach in 2021 for the FC Diablos U-23 team in the Midwest Premier League.
           
"I'm very pleased to add Izzy to our staff," coach Mike Kobylinski said. "She has experience coaching as a head coach at her former high school and as an assistant at various levels. She was a decorated attacking player in high school and enjoys coaching in that third of the field as well. She was highly recommended and has knowledge as well as experience at the Division III level as well."
           
An all-state high school player at The High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign, Illinois, Schmitt played one season at NCAA Division III Monmouth College in 2018 before an injury ended her playing career.
           
The Dutch were 9-8-1 in 2021, placing sixth in the American Rivers Conference.