MILWAUKEE -- The Mount Mary University Athletic Department has announced that Joe Shokatz has stepped down from his position as head women's soccer coach after three years at the helm.  The Blue Angels were 19-33-2 under Shokatz.  The 19 wins are the most for a head coach at Mount Mary since the school moved to the NCAA Division III level officially in 2009.

"I love coaching at Mount Mary," said Shokatz, "however as a high school history teacher for nearly 15 years, taking a full time coaching position isn't possible at this time. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to coach at Mount Mary."

"Being able to have a coach on campus and recruiting full time is an incredibly huge step for the development of both the soccer program and our athletic department", says Mount Mary Athletic Director Marc Heidorf.  "Unfortunately it becomes bittersweet with the the news that Joe will not be able to remain on the sidelines for us.  That is tough because he gave the program stability, something that was seriously lacking prior to his arrival."

Shokatz came to Mount Mary in 2011 as an assistant coach. Following the 2011 season, he took over as head coach, becoming the eighth mentor to take the helm in seven year history of the program.  The result of that constant turnover at the top was a 6-37-1 record prior to Shokatz' arrival.

After the team went 0-13-1 the season prior to taking over, Shokatz was able to turn things around right away leading the Blue Angels to an 8-7 mark in 2012.  After an injury-riddled, four-win campaign in 2013, Shokatz and the Angels began trending upward again this past season, finishing with a 7-10-2 mark including a 4-1 stretch in the season's final five contests.

2014 was one of the most decorated seasons for the Blue Angels with Emily Ristow (Sr./Sheboygan, Wis.) bringing home co-Offensive Player of the Year honors in the Association of NCAA Division III Independents (AD3I), Becky Onan (Fr./Grafton, Wis.) being named the co-Goalkeeper of the Year and co-Rookie of the Year, and Marissa Rechlicz ('18/West Allis, Wis.) being the third player on the roster to make the First Team AD3I.

For his part, Shokatz is happy with the condition he leaves the program in.

"Given another year or two, I really think things are going to get really good real quick. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish as far as laying the ground work for the program, but even more proud of what the girls have accomplished."

A nationwide search has begun to fill the coaching vacancy.