MINOT, N.D. – After leading the Minot State women's soccer program to a pair of trips to the NSIC Tournament title game in the past three seasons, Beavers head coach T.J. Perez is stepping down.

Kevin Harmon, Minot State's Vice President for Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics, announced Perez's resignation today. Perez is stepping down to get married and will be moving to California. His final day with the program will be next Tuesday, Dec. 10.

"I would like to thank Tyler Perez for his guidance and leadership for our women's soccer program over the last three years," Harmon said. "His teams have been to the NSIC Championship game in two of his three years at the helm of our program.

"Tyler stepped up in a significant manner a few years ago as the interim coach and he has done an excellent job continuing our strong tradition in women's soccer. He's left our program in a strong position for future success, and I wish him well as he returns to his home state to focus on his family life."

The search for a new head coach for the Minot State women's program will begin immediately.

"I would like to thank everyone I have met over my five seasons here at Minot State," Perez said. "I am truly grateful for the years I spent here.

"Thank you to the amazing young women in this program," Perez added. "It has been an honor to be a part of your journey. I wish you all the best and, as always, enjoy every day."

A standout player himself at Sonoma State in California, Perez served as an assistant coach with the North Coast FC and at Sonoma State before joining the Minot State staff in 2020 as the Beavers' top assistant under former head coach Chris Clements.

Perez became the Beavers third head coach in program history in August of 2022, taking over as head coach after Clements took the Director of Athletics position at Hastings College in Nebraska.

Perez provided immediate leadership for the program as he guided Minot State to the NSIC Tournament Title game in the fall of 2022 before the Beavers fell 2-0 in overtime against Bemidji State.

Perez again led the Beavers to the NSIC Tournament Title game this past fall where Minot State fell 2-0 to tournament host Minnesota State, Mankato in the championship.

In his three seasons at the helm of the Minot State program, the Beavers compiled a 26-15-18 overall record, went 19-11-13 in NSIC play, and were known for outstanding defense and goaltending as Minot State posted 32 shutouts during that time.