Nicole Lukic
Sporting Director + Head Coach // Nlukic@mnaurora.com
Nicole Lukic is Aurora’s Sporting Director and Head Coach. In two seasons, Lukic has never lost a regular season game. In the inaugural season, Lukic led Aurora to a 11-0-1 record in the regular season and all the way to the championship game, which was Aurora’s first loss of the season. Lukic won the Heartland Division and was named the USL W coach of the year in 2022 with many Aurora players winning awards too. In 2023, Lukic once again led the team to an undefeated season going 12-0 to capture the Heartland Division Championship and then the Central Conference championship before losing in the quarterfinals to Indy Eleven. Under Lukic’s leadership, 5 Aurora players have signed professional contracts and are playing overseas.
“Being part of this club is so exciting. We are excited to play a technical, attacking style of soccer that helps players grow their game and continue their soccer careers at the highest level.”
- USSF A License
- Masters Degree
- 2022 USL W Coach of the Year
- 2022 High Performance Coach of the Year – Tucker Center
- 2021 Midwest Youth Boys Coach of the Year
- United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30
- Former NCAA D1 Player
Jen Larrick
Assistant Coach
Larrick most recently served as Head Coach of the Cardiff Metropolitan University reserves and Assistant Coach for Cardiff Met’s Welsh Premier League Women’s side, while working on her Doctorate in Sport Coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Larrick’s previous experience includes acting Head Coach for Hamline University, Director of Coaching at BV United, and Assistant Coach at Augsburg University. She played at the University of Florida, University of Minnesota, and most recently for Cardiff Metropolitan University in British Universities and Colleges league competition.
“Bringing a high-level, high-quality summer women’s soccer experience to Minnesota is exciting and timely. There is a real and growing love of girls’ and women’s soccer here in Minnesota – I hope we can give young girls a team they can dream of playing for one day.”
- USSF C License
- 30 under 30 (2018)
- Collegiate Coach Experience
- Youth Club Director Experience
- Former NCAA D1 Player
- Football Association of Wales – C License
Mary Pipenhagen
Soccer Operations
Pipenhagen Graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Math – Actuarial Science and pursued a career in business consulting while simultaneously coaching soccer at a local youth club and at high schools around the metro. With 6 years of consulting experience and 8 years of coaching competitive youth and high school soccer, Mary combines her experiences into the Soccer Operations role at Minnesota Aurora.
- Recreational program director of a local youth soccer club for 3 years
- Currently holds USSF C License
Medical + Wellness Support Team
Jenn Ireland
Mental Skills Coach // Expand Your Game
Ireland is a Mental Skills Coach whose focus is on empowering female soccer players to own their growth and maximize their potential by expanding their mental performance skills, reframing limiting beliefs and uncovering authentic passion and drive. She is the founder of Expand Your Game and the Mindset Mastery Academy, a 1-on-1 mental skills program for female soccer players. She has most recently coached youth teams with Chattanooga FC Academy in Tennessee and Seattle United in Washington state. Ireland currently serves as the Mental Skills Coordinator at Berkshire Soccer Academy.
“I am so excited to be a part of this club and help level up the already fantastic environment that players at Minnesota Aurora get to experience when they come here. To me, mental skills work is a combination of enhancing performance AND working on wellbeing – my goal at Aurora is to use those two pieces to support both the team in pursuit of its seasonal goals, but also individual players in their own development and career progression.”
- USSF C License
- United Soccer Coaches Joe Cummings scholarship recipient (2022)
- Founder of Expand Your Game and the Mindset Mastery Academy
- Club Communications Experience
- Former Sports Photojournalist
Dr. Christie Heikes
Team Physician // Twin Cities Orthopedics
Orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Christie Heikes began her training at the University of Minnesota where she competed on the track and cross country teams. She also attended medical school and residency at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Heikes completed her formal education by doing a sports medicine fellowship with Minnesota Sports Medicine.
Dr. Heikes has been with Twin Cities Orthopedics since 2008 where she has developed focus on treating athletes. Outside of work she likes to spend time with her family and enjoys playing golf and tennis. One of her favorite activities is going to sporting events cheering on her kids and any Minnesota team.
Part of Aurora FC last year, she is eager for the return of the athletes for their second run at the championship!
Danielle Armstrong
Head Athletic Trainer // Twin Cities Orthopedics
Danielle Armstrong will be in her first year as the team’s Certified Athletic Trainer for the 2023 season. She is currently the Lead Clinical Assistant at the Edina Twin Cities Orthopedics clinic and works with a variety of physicians in that role. Danielle formerly worked as an Associate Athletic Trainer at Marquette University from 2010 through 2017, providing medical coverage to their women’s soccer program for eight seasons. Danielle received her Bachelors of Science Degree from Marquette University in Athletic Training and her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Michigan State University.
- Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer
- Master’s Degree
- National Athletic Trainer’s Association Member
- CPR/BLS Certified
- NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Graston Technique Certified
