Joseph Ruesgen has served as an assistant coach of the New York University men’s soccer team since 2016, and the squad has advanced to postseason play every season. His responsibilities include assisting Head Coach Kim Wyant with the squad’s day-to-day operations, on-field sessions and game strategies, while also handling most of the recruiting duties.

The Violets’ 2023 squad notched an overall record of 5-6-5, 3-2-2 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The team garnered awards from the UAA and the College Sports Communicators (CSC) for accolades on and off the field.

Arkan Tahsildaroglu earned First Team All-UAA recognition, while Joss Cohen received All-UAA Honorable Mention. Both players, along with Chaz Bond, also earned UAA Player of the Week accolades during the season. Tahsildaroglu, a four-year team member, graduated as NYU’s all-time leader in goals per game (.55), points per game (1.45), shots per game (4.8), assists (17), and shots (235).

The Violets posted a 9-5-3 overall record in 2022, 4-1-2 in the UAA, as NYU earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.

On October 30, the Violets faced the University of Chicago. The contest ended in a 0-0 draw, the only game all season in which #1-ranked and eventual NCAA Division III Champions Chicago did not win.

There were plenty of accolades for the players in 2022. Arkan Tahsildaroglu was named UAA Men’s Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Year. He and Alex Rovirosa-Illa were named All-UAA First Team, while Joe Leslie was selected Second Team and Nicholas Suter received Honorable Mention accolades. Tahsildaroglu (First Team) and Rovirosa-Illa (Third Team) earned United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Region honors, as well.

Tahsildaroglu and Rovirosa-Illa also set program records during the campaign. Tahsildaroglu ended the season #1 all-time in goals per game (.57), points per game (1.51) and shots per game (4.71), while Rovirosa-Illa set the standard in total career assists (16) and assists per game (.46).

In 2021, NYU posted an 11-6-1 overall record and went 4-3 in the UAA. The Violets earned an at-large to the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Second Round. The campaign also included a seven-game unbeaten streak and a victory over then-#9 Washington University in St. Louis on October 15.

There were plenty of honors for the players in 2021. Tahsildaroglu (Second Team) and Louis Meeks (Third Team) earned USC All-Region honors. Nathan Bennett was selected UAA Freshman Rookie of the Year, Tahsildaroglu and Meeks earned Second Team honors, while Bennett, Isaiah Boyd, Rovirosa-Illa, and Pablo Vargas were awarded Honorable Mention. The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) also bestowed honors on the players with Bennett being tabbed Division III Rookie of the Year and Rookie of the Month in October, while Luca Mancuso (Goalkeeper of the Month) and Tahsildaroglu (Player of the Month) earned monthly accolades in September.

The 2021 season followed a season of inactivity for NYU, as the Violets did not compete in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

In 2019, the Violets reached the second round of the ECAC Championship Tournament, defeating Hood College before falling 1-0 to host Muhlenberg College. NYU finished the season with an 8-8-2 overall record and a 3-3-1 mark in the UAA. The campaign included a season-high six-game winning streak, which culminated with a 1-0 UAA victory over Washington University in St. Louis.

Several players flourished during the season, with a pair (Vargas, Sergio Monton) earning First Team All-UAA honors and another duo (Mancuso, Meeks) receiving Honorable Mention. Monton was also tabbed UAA Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-ECAC and USC Third Team All-East Region.

In 2018, the Violets finished with a 12-4-3 overall record and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship, the first appearance for NYU since 2010. The Violets advanced to the second round by defeating Haverford College 5-4 in penalty kicks after a 110-minute, 1-1 deadlock. The squad was eliminated after losing to host Montclair State University also in penalty kicks (5-4) after a 1-1 tie.

The Violets posted a 3-3-1 record in the UAA in 2018, the team’s best performance since going 4-0-3 in 2010. Six team members earned All-UAA honors (First Team: Vargas, Grant Engel; Second Team: Meeks; Honorable Mention: Monton, Maxi Rodriguez; Rookie of the Year: Oliver Kleban). 

In 2017, Ruesgen helped lead the squad to a 9-8-3 overall record as the Violets advanced to the semifinals of the ECAC Tournament. Rodriguez earned Second Team All-UAA honors while Nic Notaro earned ECAC All-Tournament Team laurels for his postseason performance.

In his first season in 2016, Ruesgen helped guide NYU to a 9-8-2 overall record, including a 3-4 mark in the UAA as the Violets earned a postseason bid to the ECAC Tournament.

Prior to joining the NYU staff, Ruesgen spent the previous two years as Head Coach of SUNY Purchase’s women’s soccer team, posting an overall 12-22-1 record and a 7-10-1 mark in the Skyline Conference. Additionally, he served two seasons as the men’s Head Coach with the New York Athletic Club (NYAC).  

Prior to those stints, Ruesgen coached at the Massapequa Soccer Club in 2013-14 and headed Trinity School’s junior varsity team from 2010-13. His first coaching job was as an assistant coach of the Dominican College’s men’s soccer team in Orangeburg, NY, from 2009-10.

Ruesgen played professionally with the FC Nistru Otaci in the Moldovan National League as well as trial spells in Scotland and the U.S. During his collegiate playing career, Ruesgen achieved numerous honors and was a three-year All-CACC (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference) selection. He continues to play with the NY Greek-Americans where he won the 2014 USASA National Championship.

A 2010 honors graduate of Dominican with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training, Ruesgen went on to earn a master's degree in Global Sports from NYU in December 2020. 

A native of Campbeltown, Scotland, Ruesgen resides in New Jersey with his wife and family.