Grand Valley State head women's soccer coach Dave DiIanni announced the hiring of Erica Demers as his assistant coach effective immediately. Demers played four years of Division I soccer at Oakland University and then spent last season as a graduate assistant at The Citadel.

In addition to coaching collegiate soccer, Demers also was an instructor for the U-18 girls and U-6 boys and girls at Oakland University's soccer camps. Erica trained the U-17 Girls Mesa Soccer Club and the U-6 boys and girls during 2002.

Erica played in 81 games in her four seasons at Oakland University. In her senior season she was named Mid-Con Tournament MVP as she led her team to its fourth consecutive conference tournament title and third straight NCAA appearance. She was a two-time Mid-Con First Team honoree and earned Mid-Con Player of the Year plaudits in 2002. Demers ended her career at Oakland with 15 goals, 25 assists, and 55 points.

Demers also played for the Canadian U-21 National Team Pool and was part of the Canadian National Championship team in 2000. In 1997-98, she played for the National Training Centre team and for five years she was a member of the Ontario Provincial Team.

In 2004, Demers graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and will be pursuing her master's degree at Grand Valley State.

A native of Welland, Ontario, Canada, Erica graduated from Centennial Secondary High School in 2000, where in addition to being her soccer team's MVP, she played basketball, volleyball, and badminton.

"I am extremely excited we were able to bring in Erica as part of our staff," said DiIanni. "She has played and coached the game for years and has gained a great knowledge of the game. Her knowledge will be helpful in assisting me and our team."