Aaron Tilsen

Coach Tilsen enters his second year with the Mavericks in his new role as Assistant coach and Director of Recruiting/Scouting. In his tenure coaching MSU women’s soccer, he has been part of two regular season conference championships (2018, '22), three conference tournament championships (2016, ‘17, ’18), and four NCAA tournament runs (2016, ’17, ’18, ’22). The Mavericks have posted a record of 66-10-13 under his tutalage and Tilsen has coached All-Americans Abby Nordeen, Dakota Wendell, Alesha Duccini, and Jenny Vetter.

Previously, Coach Tilsen spent time as the Minnesota State's goalkeepers coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He helped Alexa Rabune put her name in the record books at MSU as she moved up to second in all-time wins (19), third in shutouts (12), seventh in saves (81), and ninth in goals against average (0.68). In her career, Rabune finished ranked fifth in wins (26), third in shutouts (18), seventh in saves (133), sixth in goals-against average (0.84), and seventh in save percentage (.811). The Mavericks finished the 2017 season third nationally in shutouts, fourth in goals against average, and eighth in save percentage.

That season, the Mavericks also had three all-region players and six all-conference players as well as six of the 11 players named to the all-tournament team. MSU also performed in the classroom, with 19 players named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.

Coach Tilsen brought NCAA head coaching experience to the staff, having served as head coach for Missouri Southern State University women's soccer. Under Tilsen's guidance, the Lions owned a 10-36-3 (5-21-1 MIAA) record over the course of three seasons from 2019-21.

During the 2020 season the Lions made their first appearance in the MIAA conference tournament since 2017 while earning a win over, No. 8 Central Missouri (3-2 OT). It was the Lions first victory over the Jennies since 2013 and the first home win in the matchup since 2005. Bailey Belcher was named a first-team All-MIAA forward and Rylie Johnson was a second-team All-MIAA defender. 16 Lions were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Rolls and Belcher was an MIAA Scholar-Athlete. Belcher, Johnson, and Laver were named to the USCA College Player Award of Distinction once again.

In the 2019 season, Southern had four All-MIAA Honorable Mention selections and placed four on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Lariah Boone, Maya Greenquist, Jori Hays and Banner Williams were MIAA Academic Excellence award winners for transfers/newcomers. Belcher, Johnson, and Riley Laver were recognized with the USCA College Player Award of Distinction.

Coach Tilsen also brings experience coaching semi-professional players. Former General Manager and Head Coach for Fire SC 98 in the WPSL (2018-2020). Tilsen compiled a roster with collegiate players from across the country. Fire SC 98 won franchise of the year for the North Conference and helped eight players transition from collegiate soccer to the professional ranks. Fire SC 98 finished second to the Chicago Red Stars reserves in the conference standings.

He spent over 25 years coaching youth and high school soccer in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He served as Director of Coaching for the Twin Cities Fire Soccer Club and brings years of experience coaching and developing players. Additionally, Tilsen has over 15 years of high school experience including, Head Coach at Robbinsdale Cooper, Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony (girls) and Forest Lake (boys), as well as being an assistant coach at St. Paul Central, Park Center, and Bloomington Jefferson.


Tilsen obtained his USSF B license, NSCAA Premier and NSCAA GK level one and level two diplomas. He graduated Cum Laude from MSU in Spring 2017 with a BS in Sport Management and a Coaching Minor. He earned his MA from MSU in December 2018.

Tilsen and his wife Lisa have a son, Aidan, as well as dogs, Lucy, Ivy, and Wrigley, and cats, Molly and Tommy.