Jacey Maul, a 2014 graduate of Jacksonville High School, has been named the new head coach of the school's girls' soccer program, taking over from Drew Comstock who stepped down after six seasons.
A Homecoming for a Rising Coach
Maul's connection to the school runs deep; she excelled as a forward for the Cardinals, netting 31 goals and adding eight assists in her senior season, and later earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Fontbonne University in St. Louis.
Before returning to Jacksonville, she built a coaching résumé that includes stints mentoring teams in the Jacksonville Soccer Association, assisting with both boys' and girls' soccer at the high school, and serving as head coach of a travel team in the fall of 2015, as well as a period coaching volleyball at Jacksonville Middle School.
Ryan Van Aken, the Jacksonville Athletic Director, said he is confident that Maul's blend of playing experience, academic background in speech‑language pathology, and years of hands‑on coaching make her the ideal leader to guide the program forward.
Comstock's departure was framed as a move to pursue a new professional opportunity, leaving the school eager to tap into Maul's fresh perspective and deep familiarity with the community.
The appointment underscores a broader trend of alumni returning to lead their former programs, blending personal legacy with professional ambition as the Cardinals look to build on recent progress.