Hellstrom Returns to Kent State, Joins Soccer Coaching Staff
3/20/2023 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team has announced the hiring of former Golden Flashes forward Jenna Hellstrom as assistant coach, head coach Rob Marinaro announced.Â
"I am thrilled to be able to add Jenna to our coaching staff," Marinaro said. "Jenna had a brilliant playing career here at Kent State, professionally, and with the Canadian National team. To have her come back home to coach and mentor our Flashes is a wonderful opportunity."
Hellstrom is a former member of the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team who was called in as recently as February 2023 when she played for the Canadians in the She Believes Cup. She was a member of the 2019 World Cup team that reached the Round of 16, and has had stints at the club level with Rosengard, Djurgarden, Vaxjo, Washington Spirit, Orebro FC, and Dijon FC.  Prior to her professional career, Hellstrom had an illustrious career at Kent State, finishing as the program's all-time leader in goals (37), assists (33), and points (107). She became the first All-American iin Kent State soccer history when she earned NSCAA Second Team All-American honors in 2016.
As a senior in 2016, Hellstrom led the Mid-American Conference in points (38) and assists (10) and was second in goals with 14. She finished the season ranked seventh in the nation in points per game (2.0), 11th in assists per game (0.53) and 14th in goals per game (0.74), being named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year as well as earning First Team All-MAC, NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team and MAC All-Tournament Team honors
During her junior season in 2015, Hellstrom had ten multiple-point games, scoring at least one point in 14 of 19 contests en route to being named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MAC. She led the conference in most offensive categories, including points, points per game, shots, shots per game, assists per game, and game-winning goals, as well as finishing fourth in the country in assists and eighth in assists per game. Hellstrom was named First Team OCSA All-Ohio and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region.
In 2014, Hellstrom led the Flashes with 20 points en route to being named First Team All-MAC, All-Ohio First Team, and College Sports Madness All-MAC First Team. The year prior, she was named the MAC Freshman of the Year after tallying five goals and five assists in 16 games. She also earned a spot on the Division One OSCA All-Ohio Team and College Soccer Madness All-Conference Team.
Hellstrom graduated from Kent State in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Sport Administration and a minor in Business.
"We are excited to see Jenna transition from player to coach and could not be happier she boomeranged back to Kent State," Marinaro said.
For more information on the Kent State soccer team, follow Kent State Soccer on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional information.
