Esmie Gonzales enters her first year as assistant coach after spending the previous three years as a graduate assistant.

During the 2023 season Gonzales coached the the team to a semifinal appearance against Morehead State. The team finished 7-6-6

(2-3-4 in the OVC) in route to their 19th winning season. Under her guidance Goalkeeper Sophia Elfrink, forward Cayla Koerner, and midfielder Justi Nelson were all selected for postseason honors. 

The 2022 season saw Gonzales help Freshman Cayla Koerner and junior Faith Liljegren make postseason honors. Koerner was named the 2022 OVC Forward and Freshman of the Year while also being selected to the All-OVC First Team and All-Newcomer Team. Liljegren was tabbed to the 2022 All-OVC Second Team. She assitsed the teams coaching duties resulting in appearnce in the OVC quarter finals. She helped SEMO finished with a 8-6-3 overall record (4-2-2 in the OVC).

In her first year on staff Gonzales helped SEMO go on a Cinderella run in the 2021 OVC Championship Tournament, edging #6 Morehead State, 1-0, in the First Round before eliminating Quarterfinals host, #3 Belmont, 2-1, in overtime. The Redhawks then fell to #2 SIUE, the 2021 OVC Champions, 3-0 in the Semifinals. SEMO finished the 2021 campaign with a 7-10-2 overall record (2-4-2 in the OVC).

Gonzales spent four years at Southeast Missouri from 2016-19 and set multiple records in a Redhawks uniform. She was a three-time All-OVC First Team Selection and also garnered All-OVC Second Team and All-Newcomer Team honors in her career at SEMO. Gonzales was also named to the OVC All-Tournament Team in both 2017 and 2019.

Gonzales finished her career with the Redhawks with 28 goals and 12 assists. She tied the program record in game winning goals (12), and single-handedly holds the record for shots attempted (223) and shots on goal (109). Gonzales ranks among SEMO's top five career leaders in goals (28, t-2nd), points (68, t-3rd) and field minutes played (5,612, 5th).

In her final season with the Redhawks, Gonzales helped lead the Redhawks to their first OVC title since 2014. She had four goals and four assists with 37 shots and a pair of game winning goals. 

As a junior, Gonzales started in all 18 games and led the team with 10 goals and 20 points. She recorded a career-high 10 shots at SIUE on October 14. 

In 2017, Gonzales led the team with eight goals and 72 shots. She averaged 3.6 shots per game after starting in 20 matches. 

As a freshman, Gonzales earned Second-Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer Team after scoring six goals and five assists. She played in all 15 matches, starting in 14 as a rookie. 

Gonzales graduated from Southeast Missouri in 2020 with a Bachelor's of Science in Recreation and Park Administration.

Prior to SEMO, Gonzales competed four years at South Hills High School. She finished her career with 316 goals, naming her as the nation’s top goal scorer for both girl’s and boy’s soccer. Gonzales topped the previous national record of 286. 

Gonzales captured the national and Texas single-season goals record with 109 as a senior. She averaged 3.1 goals and had a total of 66 assists. 

Gonzales was named district MVP, First-Team All-District and Super Team all four of her high school seasons.