Baltimore -- Emma Kershner, who has spent the last two seasons at Austin Peay State, has joined the Loyola University Maryland women's soccer team's coaching staff as an assistant coach, announced Greyhounds Head Coach Joe Mallia on Wednesday afternoon. 

"We are excited to have Emma join our program," Mallia said. "Through the many conversations we have had with Emma leading up to her hire we are confident she will fit right in with our staff and program.  This will allow our staff to expand our reach, or bandwidth, on and off of the field. From a coaching our players on the field perspective, Emma was a very accomplished collegiate player, which will be a valuable resource on the field for our players as they move forward in their development."

Emma Kershner comes to Loyola Maryland after spending two seasons (2022-23) at Austin Peay State University as an assistant coach. Kershner worked with the team's midfielders and forwards and helped the team increase offensive output each year.  In 2023, she helped coach the team to the postseason for the first time in four years.  In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Kershner also handled the Governors' travel and operations.

Before coming to Austin Peay, Kershner was a member of the preseason roster of the 2021 National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup Champion Washington Spirit.

A native of Centerville, Virginia, Kershner spent the final four years of her collegiate soccer career at Virginia Commonwealth University. During her final season, Kershner was named the Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year, while helping lead VCU to the 2021 Atlantic 10 Regular-Season Championship.  During her career, Kershner was a two-time First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, a Second Team All-Atlantic 10, and Academic All-Atlantic 10 selection. Kershner finished her career at VCU with 17 goals and ranks fourth all-time in VCU history with seven career game-winning goals and tied for tenth all-time at VCU with 14 assists.

Prior to her time in Richmond, Kershner spent two years at Indiana University, playing in 15 matches and picking up Academic All-Big Ten honors during the 2017 season. Kershner holds a USSF D Coaching License, a United Soccer Coaches Futsal 1 License, and a United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeper 1 License.

Kershner earned her bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth in 2021, double majoring in exercise science and psychology. She received her master's degree in sports leadership from VCU in December 2022.