University of California, Merced

A Merced, Calif., native, Niccole Salm Villa joined the coaching staff in 2019 after a four-year career on the UC Merced women’s soccer team. Salm Villa finished her decorated playing career tied for first in program history with 16 career assists, third with 70 game appearances and is one of nine Bobcats to record a hat-trick.  As a senior defender, Salm Villa broke the single-season assists record (9) and earned All-California Pacific Conference Second Team honors. At the time of her hire, Salm Villa was one of just four players in program history to have experienced three California Pacific Conference Championship games.

She can now say she has coached in a conference championship game as her first season on the sidelines was a success. The Bobcats went 10-7-1 overall and 7-3 in conference play to clinch a tournament berth.

While still playing for UC Merced, Salm Villa started her coaching career at Merced High School, the same high school in which she was named the Merced-Sun Star Girls Soccer Player of the Year in 2015. In the UC Merced offseason, Salm Villa coaches high school soccer along with serving as an individual technical skills and conditioning coach for club and future college soccer players.