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Rachel Pitman enters her third year as the assistant coach with the Blue Demons women's soccer program
The former All-BIG EAST and All-Northeast Region defender returned to Lincoln Park in August 2018 to coach her alma mater.
Pitman began her stellar Wish Field playing career in 2011, coming to Chicago from England. She helped lead DePaul to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014.
In 2014, Pitman & Co. set a program record going 16-1-4, and the team's 20-match unbeaten streak was the longest in the nation along with UCLA.
That season, head coach Erin Chastain's team won both the BIG EAST regular-season and tournament titles.
Pitman was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team as a senior and was NSCAA All-Northeast Region Second Team. She was also named to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team and was a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection.
Competing on England's U-17 and U-23 national teams, Pitman scored five goals and helped lead the English to the U-17 World Cup Semifinals. She has also played with England's U-15 and U-17 teams.
The talented and scrappy Blue Demon has played professionally for three years (2015-18) with the Sunderland Ladies AFC club in Sunderland, England, and made four appearances in the Champions League.
Pitman is a UEFA B qualified soccer coach.
Freeman just finished his thirteenth season overall with the Fighting Illini and sixth as the soccer programs Associate Head Coach in 2023. In 2019 Freeman was also named the program's recruiting coordinator. Illinois has reached at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament in three of the years he has been on staff, highlighted by a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2013. Freeman helped to coach standout Vanessa DiBernardo earn a pair of All-America honors and saw Jannelle Flaws lead the country and break the school record for goals scored.
The Illini have turned in two of the top four single-season goal totals in school history during Freemans tenure in Champaign. The Orange and Blue netted 54 goals in 2013 and 53 goals in 2011, which rank third and fourth, respectively, on the all-time list. UI boasts an overall record of 71-23-9 over the past six seasons with four NCAA Tournament appearances, a Big Ten Tournament title in 2011 and a Big Ten Tournament runner-up finish in 2012.
In 2014, Illinois finished with a 10-8-2 record on the season. With Freemans assistance, Illini redshirt senior Jannelle Flaws was named Disney Soccer/NSCAA National Player of the Week, the first Illini to ever earn the recognition. Flaws continued on to be named the unanimous Big Ten Forward of the year for the second-straight season. She led the Big Ten and tied for 12th in the NCAA with 17 goals, also being tabbed a third-team NSCAA All-American.
In 2013, Freeman helped guide the Illini to their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen in school history, as they finished 11-9-3 overall. He coached Big Ten Forward of the Year Jannelle Flaws to a school-record 23 goals, which was tied for the most in the NCAA. Vanessa DiBernardo, who became Illinois highest drafted player in school history following the season, completed her decorated career No. 3 on the all-time list with 43 goals, with Freeman coaching her during three of four seasons.
In 2012, Freeman served as the interim head coach for the non-conference portion of the schedule while Rayfield was coaching with U.S. Soccers U-20 National Team at the World Cup. Freeman helped coach the Illini to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the second round after knocking off neighbor-state rival Missouri. Freeman also helped guide the Illini to their fifth Big Ten Tournament title game. In addition, Freeman took the reigns of the Illini program for the first seven games of the season against one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. Illinois finished 10-9-4 on the year.
In 2011, Freeman was integral in the process of implementing the formation changes that led the Orange and Blue to a 17-5-2 overall record, the most wins in a single season in school history and a Big Ten Tournament title victory over No. 11 Penn State. Freeman worked with both the offensive and defensive units throughout the season, also serving as a key contributor to the Illinois recruiting efforts while performing additional administrative and travel-related duties.
Freeman brought a wealth of experience and tactical expertise to Champaign, Illinois, after serving as a member of the University of Miami (Fla.) womens soccer staff from 2004-10, including the final three years as the associate head coach. He played a prominent role in Miami earning conference and national recognition with top-25 rankings and back-to-back appearances in the 2007-08 NCAA Tournaments.
Freeman joined the Hurricanes staff after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Missouri State, for four years. The Bears goalkeeping units earned Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Defensive Player of the Year and conference tournament MVP honors in addition to weekly MVC defensive accolades under Freemans tutelage, while Missouri State won the MVC crown and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance with Freemans guidance.
As a student-athlete at Missouri State, Freeman earned academic all-conference recognition as a goalkeeper with the Bears and was a member of the 1997 squad that made the programs first NCAA Tournament appearance after earning a top-10 national ranking and the MVC regular season title.
Freeman, who earned a bachelors and masters in education from Missouri State, is accredited as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) `A Licensed Coach and holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. He has served as a clinician at the USC (NSCAA) Conventions from 2014-2019.
Drago Ceranic is in his fourth season as a volunteer assistant coach with the University of Iowa soccer program.
In three seasons, Ceranic has helped the program to 30 victories, two NCAA Tournament appearances and the first Big Ten title in school history.
During the 2020 season, Ceranic helped the team to its second straight NCAA Tournament berth. After starting the season slowly, the Hawkeyes were playing their best soccer when matter most in the postseason.
With an expanded Big Ten postseason schedule due to league-only scheduling because of COVID, the Hawkeyes posted wins over second-seeded Illinois and third-seeded Minnesota in the Big Ten Regional weekend. The team followed with a road win at top-seeded Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals before downing third-seeded Wisconsin to claim the programs first-ever Big Ten title.
The win in Happy Valley was the first for the program in school history and the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions were the highest ranked opponent Iowa defeated all-time. Two freshmen forward Meike Ingles and goalkeeper Macy Enneking were named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Players, respectively. Ingles scored three-game winners in the tournament, while Enneking posted two shutouts and made 14 saves.
As a result, the Hawkeyes earned their second straight NCAA Tournament berth, and they continued to make history. Shipped to North Carolina, Iowa tallied a 1-0 victory over Campbell on the Camels home turf to notch the first NCAA Tournament win in the record books. Iowa had third-seeded UCLA on the ropes in the Round of 32 before surrendering two goals late in a 2-1 defeat.
Iowa finished the season with a 7-9-1 record, but all seven of the victories came in the teams final 10 games. Enneking was a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman team honoree. Academically, Iowa matched a school record with 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections, eight Hawkeyes were Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, the program had 31 Deans List honorees (in fall and spring semesters), and the program earned the United Soccer Team Academic Award, posting a 3.49 team grade point average.
In 2019, Ceranic helped guide Iowa to one of the best seasons in program history. The Hawkeyes opened the season with nine straight wins en route to a No. 17 national ranking, the highest in program history. Iowa tied a school record, winning 15 games, including seven in Big Ten play, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
The Hawkeyes tied a school record with three All-Big Ten selections and senior Natalie Winters became the first player in program history to earn postseason recognition in all four seasons. Winters was also an all-region honoree for a second straight season.
Iowa was one of the Big Tens most potent offenses, ranking second in the league and 26th nationally, with 46 goals. The Hawkeyes had an NCAA-best 16 different goal scorers in 2019. Defensively, Iowa posted eight shutouts and limited opponents to seven or fewer shots in 13 games.
The Hawkeyes shined academically as Iowa was the only school in the country to have two first-team Academic All-Americans. Iowa also had three United Soccer Academic All-Region and a school-record 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections.
During his first season as a Hawkeye, Ceranic helped the Hawkeyes to an 8-7-3 overall record and a 4-5-2 mark in Big Ten play. Iowa was in Big Ten Tournament contention until the final game, but fell short after battling Northwestern to a 1-1 draw. Junior Natalie Winters was a third-team all-region and third-team All-Big Ten selection Iowas first all-region honoree since 2014.
In the classroom, Iowa earned the United Soccer Team Academic Award for a 12th straight season and the Hawkeyes had two Google Cloud Academic All-Americans the first two in program history. Kaleigh Haus was a first-team selection; Hannah Drkulec earned second-team honors. Iowa also had 10 players earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, 25 players with a 3.0 GPA or better, 14 Deans List, and 4 Presidents List honorees during the spring semester.
Ceranic has coached with the Cedar River Soccer Association since 2009 and he has been a part of Iowas Olympic Development Program since 2016. With the CRSA, Ceranic helped the team to three Iowa State Cup titles (2013 U16 boys, 2014 U15 girls, and 2014 U17 boys). He also coaches three state runner-up teams.
Ceranic also coached with with Vermont Voltage of the Premier Developmental League (PDL) from 2008-11, he was junior varsity head coach at Linn-Mar (Iowa) High School from 2010-11, and was the junior varsity head coach at Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Xavier High School in 2009.
As a player, Ceranic played collegiately at Mount Mercy (Iowa) University, where he was a four-time All-Midwest Collegiate Conference selection. He was the Mustangs Newcomer of the Year in 2006, was team MVP in 2007 and 2008, and was a three-year team captain. Ceranic also was a three-time all-academic selection and was named to the NAIA Champion of Character Team in 2009.
Ceranic played professional soccer for the Voltage from 2008-11, where he was team captain in 2010-11.
The Serbia native graduated from Mount Mercy in 2010 with a degree in multi-media design and communications. He holds his USSF C coaching license.
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Xavier University.
USSF C License, USC Advanced National Diploma, National Strength and Conditioning Association CSCS.
Sade Ayinde was named an assistant coach at Yale in January of 2019 after spending three seasons at Stony Brook.
Ayinde was a part of the Bulldogs successful 2019 season which saw several players earn postseason honors, including Aerial Chavarin, who was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-America selection. Chavarin also was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL.
In addition, the Bulldogs posted the most overall wins (11) since 2005 and finished with a 4-2-1 Ivy League mark in Ayindes first season.
While at Stony Brook, Ayinde was recognized as part of the America East Coaching Staff of the Year in 2016 and 2018. In her three seasons at Stony Brook, the Seawolves posted three straight winning seasons and conference tournament appearances, won a regular season championship, a conference tournament championship and earned a berth in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, the school's first NCAA appearance since 2012. In addition to assisting with the field players, she also worked with the goalkeepers and helped Cara Gallagher post eight shutouts and a program best single season goals against mark (0.70) in 2016, and Sofia Manner honored as America East Rookie of the Year (2017) and America East Goalkeeper of the Year (2018).
In addition to her work with the Seawolves, Ayindes past coaching experience include six years as a head coach of numerous girls teams with the East Meadow Soccer Club, an assistant coach with ENYYSA ODP for several years, and player identification with Region I ODP. She also continues to serve as a scout for talent identification for US Soccer in the Northeast region.
Ayinde played at the University of Maryland, where she led the Terrapins to three NCAA Tournament appearances. In her career, she scored 16 goals and added 19 assists. She was named to the Soccer Buzz All-Mid Atlantic Freshman Team in 2008 and was voted the NSCAA National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week in 2010. She also was invited to several U-20 US Youth National Team camps in 2010.
Following her collegiate years, Ayinde went on to play professionally in the Damallsvensken and Elitettan leagues in Sweden for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and IF Brommapojkarna.
She holds a USSF B Coaching License, United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma, and Goalkeeper I Diploma. Ayinde was one of 15 female coaches selected by United Soccer Coaches for the 2016-17 cohort of the 30-Under-30 program.
Ayinde graduated from the University of Maryland in 2012, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She later completed a Master of Science in Human Resource Management at Stony Brook University in 2019.
Trahanas enters her second year as the assistant women's soccer coach at Chicago State serving on head coach Cristiano Costa's staff.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities she is the team's data scientist spearheading the university's use of sports analytics. Her expertise comes from Trahanas serving as a clinic research scientist at Lutheran General Hospitals Center of Brain and Spine Surgery.
Diane graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a B.S. in Biology, and B.A. in Psychology. She earned a M.S. in Biotechnology, graduating summa cum laude from Rush University. She is a research scientist and has scientific journal publications on traumatic brain injuries, neuroscience and cardiovascular topics.
Trahanas attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, IL where she lettered in basketball and soccer. She played four years of varsity Soccer as a midfielder/forward and served as team captain. She led her team to regional and sectional championships.
Trahanas continued her soccer career at the Division I Level for the University of Illinois-Chicago as a four-year starter and team captain while leading her team in goals and assists.
On May 23, 2022, Marisa Kresge was announced as Illinois State's head soccer coach, the sixth in program history and second female head coach. She is entering her first season as a collegiate head coach.
Illinois State Athletics Director Kyle Brennan at the time of the hire: "We are extremely excited to have Marisa Kresge lead our soccer program at Illinois State and welcome her back to campus. Marisa has been a proven winner at every stop of her career, as a player at Maryland and Wisconsin and as a coach here at Illinois State and Wisconsin. She is extremely competitive and structured in her approach as a coach and a recruiter, which we believe will translate into success for our soccer program. Her tough, blue-collar mentality as a leader fits well with the culture of our department and we look forward to watching her get this program to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference."
Kresge at the time of the hire: "I could not be more excited or honored to be named the next head coach of Illinois State Soccer. I want to thank Director of Athletics [Kyle Brennan](https://goredbirds.com/staff.aspxstaff=3549), Executive Associate AD [Nona Richardson](https://goredbirds.com/staff.aspxstaff=3610) and everyone involved in the hiring process. The energy of the administration, their investment into the program and their drive to be successful was something I was immediately drawn to. Illinois State has a rich history of success, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our student-athletes and lead this program into the next chapter."
Kresge was an assistant coach for the Redbirds in 2016.
A former team captain and standout for the Wisconsin women's soccer program, Kresge spent 2017-2021 as an assistant coach for the Badgers.
In 2020, UW reached the Big Ten Tournament final while Jordyn Bloomer earned second-team All-America honors and was named the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year for a second-straight year.
In 2019, the Badgers won the regular-season Big Ten title thanks to an undefeated record in league play and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second-straight year. Three Badgers (Jordyn Bloomer, Camryn Biegalski and Dani Rhodes) all earned All-America honors to set a school record for most All-Americans in a single season.
In 2018, Kresge helped lead Wisconsin to a 14-4-4 record, the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament and the second Sweet 16 NCAA appearance in program history.
In Kresge's first year she was able to assist Wisconsin on a 14-6-2 record, advance to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament and advance to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
After graduating from UW in 2016, Kresge spent one season with Illinois State, helping the Redbirds to a 14-6-3 record. With Kresges assistance on the sidelines, ISU won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and earning a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Additional coaching experience for Kresge includes time with the Verona Soccer Club, where she served as the head bench boss for the U-11 and U-12 girls' teams, was the assistant coach for the U-11 girls' team and the U-12 boys' team, while also coaching a skills clinic ranging from U-6 to U-15.
Kresge earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, physical education and adapted physical education during her time as a student-athlete at Wisconsin, where she competed three years for the Badgers. She spent two seasons at Maryland prior to transferring to Wisconsin
The Severna Park, Maryland, native started 19 of the 20 matches during her senior season and was the team captain while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second year in a row.
Off the field, Kresge was named to the UW-Madison School of Education Dean's List in 2014 and to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2011. She was also the recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2013 and a member of the Leadership Group at Wisconsin in 2015.
With Kresge on the squad, that Badgers had two of the most successful seasons in program history, claiming the Big Ten tournament title in 2014 and the league's regular season crown in 2015. Kresge finished her career with seven goals, including one game-winning goal and a pair of assists.
Going into his fifth season as an assistant coach with Indiana State soccer is Adam Kleman.
Kleman comes to Indiana State after spending the 2018 campaign at Eastern Kentucky. During the fall, the Colonels earned the program's first-ever win over neighboring Kentucky in September, before finishing the regular season 8-8-4 (4-4-3 OVC). EKU advanced to the OVC semifinals for the third consecutive season, before falling to the No. 1 seed UT Martin, 3-2, on November 2.
"I am excited to welcome Adam Kleman to the Indiana State women's soccer family," coach Hanley said. "Adam has worked at a pair of highly successful mid-major programs and that experience will be instrumental as we look to build a championship culture here. Adam comes highly regarded from Nick Flore (former EKU head coach) who I worked with while I was at Iowa. His ties to the Midwest will provide additional avenues for recruiting future Sycamores. While his ability to influence training and positively impact our current student-athletes as they continue to grow as players will be invaluable. "
Kleman arrived at Eastern Kentucky following four seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio Valley Conference rival Southeast Missouri (2014 to 2017). Before arriving in Cape Girardeau, Kleman was a graduate assistant on EKU's staff for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
He served as Southeast Missouri's goalkeepers coach, and he handled administrative tasks, team travel, meals, compliance, and recruiting while assisting in overall player development.
"My family and I are tremendously excited to join Indiana State University and the Soccer Program that Coach Hanley has built," coach Kleman said. "We would like to thank Mr. Clinkscales, Ms. Lansing and Coach Hanley for their thoroughness and support throughout the interview process. It was very clear the passion that exists for Sycamore Athletics as well as the resources that are in place to allow the student-athletes to thrive at every level. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Coach Hanley has provided me & I'm looking forward to building future successes with both the players and staff here at Indiana State!"
In his first season at SEMO, Kleman helped guide the Redhawks to their fifth OVC title. Kleman mentored freshman goalkeeper Kindra Lierz that season. Lierz went on to be the first player in league history to earn both OVC Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Lierz also earned first team All-OVC and All-Newcomer accolades. The Redhawks led the OVC in goals allowed (0.71), goals against average (0.70), and shutouts (8) in 2014.
Kleman's work with the goalkeepers lent to Southeast recording 11 shutouts in 2015, his second season with the program. The Redhawks finished the 2015 campaign with an 0.93 goals against average and an 80.7% save percentage. SEMO's 0.93 goals against average and 1.00 goals allowed per game each ranked third in the league while its 11 shutouts ranked first.
The 2016 season featured seven shutouts of the Redhawks' opponents. The campaign was highlighted by a season-opening 1-0 shutout of Southeastern Conference opponent Tennessee. The Redhawks began the season 6-0-1, five coming by way of shutout. The Redhawks' 18 goals allowed ranked third-best in the OVC as did their 0.95 goals against average.
SEMO continued to be one of the top defensive teams in the OVC in 2017, ranking third in the league in goals-against average (0.91) and shutouts (7).
During his tenure at EKU, Kleman was responsible for on-field coaching, off-campus recruiting, travel arrangements and video editing. He was part of the memorable 2012 season, in which the Colonels set then-program records for wins (10), conference victories (6), goals (22), assists (18), points (62) and shots (253). EKU posted an undefeated home record (8-0-1) for the first time in school history that season, and had three players selected first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference, the most in program history.
A native of Elida, Ohio, Kleman competed collegiately as a defender at Transylvania University (2004-07). The Pioneers posted a 56-10-13 record during his career, won four consecutive Heartland Conference titles and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007.
Kleman earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Transylvania in 2008 and a master's degree in Sports Administration from Eastern Kentucky in 2013.
Dirk Bennett was hired as the seventh head coach in Eastern Illinois women's soccer history on Feb. 10, 2023. Bennett, a two-time EIU graduate, previously served as the Panthers assistant women's soccer coach since July of 2019.
[Dirk Bennett Hire Release](https://eiupanthers.com/news/2023/2/10/bennett-hired-as-eiu-womens-soccer-head-coach.aspx)
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as seventh head coach in program history on Feb. 10, 2023
* Hired as assistant women's soccer coach in July of 2019
* Coached sixth season on EIU women's soccer staff in 2022-23
* Served as a volunteer assistant coach for EIU women's soccer from 2016-18
* Helped coach team to a 0.81 Goals Against Average in 2022, third best single season mark in school history
* Helped coach team to a school record four shutouts to open the season in 2022
* Helped coach team to a school record eight ties in 2022 which ranked in the top five in the NCAA
* Helped coach EIU women's program to third place finish in OVC in 2018 & OVC Tournament semifinal appearance
* Helped coach women's program to second straight OVC Tournament appearance in 2019
* Helped coach three All-Ohio Valley Conference selections (first team Sara Teteak)
* Helped coach OVC Defensive Player of the Year Sara Teteak in 2019
* Helped coach eight second team All-OVC selections
* Helped coach EIU to OVC Tournament appearances in 2018, 2019 and 2021
* Volunteer assistant coach for men's soccer program from 2015-18
* Helped coach men's team to three straight Summit League Tournament appearances
* Helped coach men's team to 2-2-1 Summit League record in 2017, first .500 or better conference mark since 2000
* Helped coach men's team to Regional ranking during 2017 season
* Helped coach Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year, Mke Novotny in 2018
* Helped coach two first team All-Summit League performers (Mike Novotny & Edgar Mesa)
* Helped coach two second team All-Summit League performers
* Helped coach seven All-Summit League Newcomer Team selections
* Helped coach four Summit League All-Tournament selections
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Athletic Supervisor for City of Charleston
* Executive Director of Eastern Illinois FC
Personal
* Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2010
* Masters Degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2012
* USSF "C" License
* NSCAA Premier Diploma
* NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I
* NSCAA LGBT Diversity & Inclusion Diploma
* Board Member Central Illinois Youth Soccer League
* Inspire! UK "Top 10 Coaches Under 30" London Conference Invitee in 2014
* NCCAA Bob Seddon Fund Scholarship
Sobers is a name some remember from his playing days on the WSU men's soccer team and joined the women's program in the fall of 2013.
Sobers, who starred for the WSU mens team 1998-2001, has had numerous coaching and playing experiences on the club and high school levels. Among those recent coaching positions have been the North Warren County Alliance Academy Director and coach of the U-13 Club as well as Ohio Galaxies Premier Soccer U-17 Club. He also coached at Bellbrook High School and played professionally for the Cincinnati Kings. While playing at WSU, he was named First Team All Ohio. He has a bachelors degree in organizational leadership in 2003 and recently completed work for an NSCAA National diploma.
Jeremy Groves was named to lead the Central Michigan soccer program in December, 2018, becoming the sixth head coach in program history.
In his first season at the helm, Groves led the Chippewas to a 7-6-4 finish including 4-5-2 in the Mid-American Conference. It was CMUs first winning season and its first league-tournament berth since 2018.
Two Chippewas, Lauren DeBeau and Cami Taylor, were named to the 13-member MAC All-Freshman Team. It marked the first time since 2015 that the Chippewas have placed multiple players on the leagues all-freshman squad.
Groves, who hails from Leeds, England, served as volunteer assistant coach during the 2018 season at Kentucky after leading Murray State to unprecedented success, building the Racer program into a dominant force in the Ohio Valley Conference.
In four seasons under Groves, Murray State posted a sterling 50-21-6 record including 32-3-5 in the OVC. From 2015-17, Murray State went unbeaten (25-0-5) in OVC play, including a spotless 10-0-0 mark in 2015, becoming the first team in conference history to go undefeated in league play.
Groves was named the OVC Coach of the Year in 2015 and in 2017, and led the Racers to three consecutive OVC regular-season championships and two conference tournament titles.
At Murray State, Groves recruited and coached the first and only three-time OVC Offensive Player of the Year, Harriet Withers. During his four years as head coach, Groves' teams featured 14 players who received All-OVC recognition.
Groves 2017 team posted a program-best 15-2-2 record, which included an 11-game unbeaten streak. MSU attained a program- and conference-record RPI of 21 and received votes in the United Soccer Coaches and TopDrawerSoccer.com national polls for four-consecutive weeks.
From 2010-13, Groves served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Morehead State, where he helped the Eagles to the OVC regular-season championship in 2010, and league tournament titles in 2010 and in 2013.
Prior to Morehead State, Groves coached at his alma mater, Kentucky. From 2006-07, he was an assistant coach with the women's program, and then assisted with the men's program from 2007-10.
Groves initially played collegiately at Virginia Intermont, earning NAIA All-America honors in 2001, before transferring to Kentucky. In Lexington, Groves was a member of two Mid-American Conference championship squads and the 2003 team which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Groves earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in kinesiology and business from Kentucky and is working toward his masters degree in teaching, coaching and sports leadership.
Before his collegiate career, Groves played for his hometown club, Leeds United, in addition to Rotherham United and York City.
Groves and his wife, Melissa, have two sons, Aidan and Jaxson.
Malachino helped the Eagles to their best finish since the 2004 season. The Eagles hit double-digit wins for the highest win total since the 2001 team won 15 games. The Eagles had four players earn All-MAC honors while leading the conference in goals while ranking third in goals allowed. Malachino brings 21 years of coaching experience to EMU ranging from U-6, semi-professional and the college ranks. In the past, Malachino has been the Director of Coaching for the Novi Jaguars and a member of the Region II Olympic Development Program (ODP) staff. He is a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A licensed coach, the highest level of coaching license for US soccer. He also played professionally for seven years with the Detroit Rockers in the National Professional Soccer League. In 2000, Malachino was named the Professional Development League (PDL) Coach of the Year for the Michigan Bucks semi-professional team. During that season, the Bucks made the championship game before losing to Chicago, 1-0. In U.S. Open Cup action, the team also defeated the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS), 1-0, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., before losing 6-5 in a penalty shootout to the Miami Fusion (MLS) in the next round. Malachino earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Texas Christian University in 1993. He also has a Michigan Teaching certificate and is currently working towards a Masters of Arts degree in teaching from Wayne State University. Malachino and his wife, Miriam, reside in Howell, Mich. They have a son, Kiernan (13) and two daughters, Kaia (9) and Kate (5).
Miami University head soccer coach Courtney Sirmans rounded out her coaching staff by adding Kim McGowan in May, 2018.
McGowan, a native of Cincinnati, serves as the RedHawks recruiting coordinator and academic liaison. She also assists in film breakdown and scouting the RedHawks' opponents. In her first season with the Red & White, she helped the team nearly double their scoring output to 17 goals as a team after they netted just nine the year before.
McGowan brings three years of head coaching experience between stints at Thomas More College and Olivet College. In her lone season at Thomas More in 2017, McGowan guided the Saints to a 15-5-1 record and Presidents Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles with an accompanying berth in the NCAA Tournament. TMC went 8-1 in PAC play in securing its seventh-straight tournament title.
Prior to coaching the Saints, McGowan spent two seasons as Olivet Colleges head coach, going 19-16-4 at the helm of the Comets. OC went 11-6-3 in her first season (2015) on the sidelines with the 11 victories representing the fifth most in program history and its most since 2010. She also earned recognition from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches) as a 30-under-30 recipient, given to the top 30 college soccer coaches under 30 years old, in 2016.
McGowan spent the 2014 season at Hiram College as an assistant Coach. She was involved in all aspects of the program and helped the team earn five all-conference honorees, the most in school history. Prior to Hiram, McGowan spent two seasons at Agnes Scott College as an assistant coach. During her time there, she helped the Scotties advance to two Great South Athletic Conference Tournament Championship games. Agnes Scott won the tournament in 2012 to advance to the NCAA Division III NCAA Tournament. This was the first time in school history any team sport had made the national tournament. She also served as the assistant women's lacrosse coach in 2013.
McGowan played her collegiate soccer at Ohio Northern University. During her time at ONU, the Polar Bears finished second in the conference regular season standings and second in the conference tournament three years in a row and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. During her senior year, ONU went undefeated in regular season conference play and earned another at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. A first round win advanced the Polar Bears to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, another first for the women's soccer program. Overall in her four years at ONU, the Polar Bears amassed a 58-20-6 overall record, with a 31-3-2 conference regular-season record.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio and an Oak Hills High School graduate, earned a bachelor of art's degree in sport management from Ohio Northern, and a master's degree in sports administration from Georgia State University. She currently holds a NSCAA Premier Level Diploma, US Soccer "B" license for coaching and a Goalkeeper Level 3 license.
Brian Diaz came to Oakland as an assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Golden Grizzlies in June 2017. Diaz was promoted to associate head coach in the fall of 2020.
Diaz has garnered 21 years of collegiate coaching experience both at the DI and DII level. Diaz has been the head coach at two DII programs with stops at Converse College and most recently, Upper Iowa University. Diaz also has been on the Olympic Development Program (ODP) coaching staff since 2006.
Diaz earned a bachelor of arts in sports management and general management from Tusculum College in 2002, followed by a master of education in educational leadership from University of South Alabama in 2012.
Ng enters his first season as an assistant coach at Richmond in the Spring 2020-21 season.
Ng comes to Richmond from Big 10-member Indiana where he was a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the last season and previously served as the program's Video Analyst in 2019. He oversaw all aspects of Sports Performance, including training periodization, training and match warm ups, weight lifting program, collecting and analyzing internal and external loads, developing individual athlete development plans and vacation period programing
Ng also worked with US Soccer as a Video Analyst for the last year attending various US Youth National Team Camps. Ng was one of the youngest full-time video analysts in NCAA women's soccer in 2019 helping develop and implement all video operations within the program.
Prior to Indiana, Ng spent four seasons as a student assistant with Valparaiso Women's Soccer, where he assisted with game day and training sessions, as well as operated the team's video and performance analysis systems. In addition, he created and ran the team's social media accounts. Ng was also a student-athlete at Valparaiso, completing his undergraduate research thesis on a Soccer Injury Movement Screen while serving as the football team's punter all four seasons.
In addition to his time with Indiana and Valparaiso, Ng has coached with a variety of club teams such as Valpo Soccer Club, Cutters Soccer Club and the Royal Palm Beach Strikers. He also spent a summer as assistant coach and game day operations for Detroit Sun FC, who advanced to the National Championship Tournament of the United Women's Soccer League.
Ng, who graduated Valparaiso with a degree in Exercise Science, has also earned his United States Soccer Federation "C" License and holds a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma. He also holds his National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification.
Ng is also an Executive Council Member of NSCA Soccer Special Interest Group (SIG). In this role, he works to bridge the gap between traditional strength and conditioning coaches and soccer coaches by sharing information between industries, and continue to lead the organization of an annual conference of Soccer Strength and Conditioning professionals.
Brian Bronowski enters his fifth season with Air Force women's soccer in 2022. He is the Falcons Goalkeeper coach after joining the program in January 2017.
A Colorado Springs native, Bronowski has spent the last 32 years working with youth soccer clubs in Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. Before his return to Colorado Springs, Brian was the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) director at Carmel United Soccer Club in Carmel, Indiana. Additionally, he was an Assistant/GK coach with the College of William & Mary women's program, an Assistant/GK coach with the Hampton Roads Mariners, and has also worked with the Columbus Crew.
Bronowski has also worked with the Olympic Development Programs in Virginia, Ohio South & Indiana has taught coaching courses in Kentucky, Indiana & Ohio South, and was a staff & head coach in Region II for 10 years. Brian holds US Soccer 'A', National Youth License, NSCAA Premier, and Goalkeeping Level II Diploma.
I am on staff with LA Surf SC part of the US Soccer Developmental Academy for girls youth soccer. I am currently on the USSF "A License and have the NSCAA Premier Diploma in Coaching as well as the NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping diploma. I also have a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. I have coached from the ages of 2-22 in the last 16 years since I was 17 years old in England, Australia, USA and Canada as well as playing in all these countries.
Native of Paraguay, played in the national league.
Coach at Wheaton North HS for 7 years ( Boys)
Coach at West Chicago HS since 1998. Now head coach of the girls program in West Chicago.
Coach at Wheaton College since 2003.
6 aperance in the final four of the ncaa tournament.
3 time National Champions with the Thunders.
Now assistant and goalie coach for the womens team.
Following a national search, Connor McKee has been named the 11th head coach in the history of Beloit College Womens Soccer. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics & Recreation Tim Schmiechen.
McKee, who replaces Nick Chapman, comes to Beloit from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, where he was the Associate Head Womens Soccer Coach last season after serving as the Huskies Assistant Womens Soccer Coach from 2012-2016.
McKee was also the Girls Director of Coaching for the Northern Illinois Football Club for three seasons, coaching U10-U18 teams, and was a graduate assistant for the University of Sioux Falls Mens Soccer team for one season.
A 2012 graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, graduating with high honors in Business and a native of Rapid City, South Dakota, McKee was a defender for Elmhurst College from 2007-08 and helped the Bluejays reach as high as Number 16 nationally. He returned home to conclude his collegiate career at Sioux Falls, where he was a team captain his senior season and an All-Great Plains Athletic Conference selection. He also earned the Daktronics NAIA Men's Scholar Athlete Award while playing for the Cougars.
I am the assistant coach at DePauw University. DePauw is a smaller D3 private school located in Greencastle, IN. It is a about 45 minutes east of Indianapolis. I have been the assistant at DePauw for 2 years and graduated from DePauw in 2020.
Joe Sagar is the new head women's soccer coach at Lawrence University.
A native of Manchester, England, Sagar has been working at Augustana since the 2014 season. During his four seasons with the Augustana women's program, the Vikings put together a 44-26-4 record and made one NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.
Sagar was a standout goalkeeper at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., and is the school's career record holder in saves (205), goals against average (0.90), victories (50) and shutouts (19). Sagar earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from McKendree in 2012 and graduated with a master's degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration from the University of Nevada-Reno in 2014.
Before attending college, Sagar played professional soccer in Great Britain. He played with Glasgow Rangers FC for two years and helped that team win the Scottish Premier League Under 19 title and the Scottish Premier League Youth Cup in 2007. He also played for Porthmadog FC in the Welsh Premier League and made starting appearances for Porthmadog in the Welsh Cup.
McKinnon Pennell C'18 is in his third season with the University of the South women's soccer program. Making his second stint with the program, he also served as an assistant with the program for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
He recently served as Director of Soccer Operations for Old Dominion University (Va.) during the 2021 campaign. During his time with the Monarchs, he was a part of a conference regular season and tournament championship with Conference USA (C-USA). Additionally, he was a part of a coaching staff that was named the C-USA Coaching Staff of the Year. He was a part of research, scouting and evaluation of prospective student-athletes and opponents. Additionally, he was responsible for player performance technology and analytics.
Off the pitch, he maintained the program's social media channels and administrative day-to-day operations of travel, equipment and budgets.
He has also served as an Academy Coach for Virginia Beach City FC.
Pennell was also a former four-year letterwinner with the Sewanee men's soccer team, and he was named to the SAA Academic Honor Roll.
Pennell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a History minor from the University of the South, and he is expected to complete his Master's of Education with a Sport Management concentration in 2022 from the University of Texas at Austin.
Acuna started working with both the men and women goalkeepers at Occidental College in 2006. He is now entering his 18th season at Oxy, working both with goalkeepers and field players on the women's side. Acuna has trained and helped Oxy's Robin Fieldman earn SCIAC Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2011, and Sydney Tomlinson earn United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American in 2018.
Shayni Paul was named head coach of the Women's Soccer program in November of 2017.
The Cougars had a seventh place finish in 2019, during Paul's second season as head coach, with an overall record of 6-11-2. With all six of CUC's wins coming in shutout fashion, Paul coached junior Brianna Welch to an All-NACC honorable mention season, with three goals and one assist. Welch's honor marked the third All-Conference student-athlete that Paul has coached during her tenure at CUC.
The 2018 season marked Paul's first season at the helm, as she made an immediate impact on the program with a 6-13 overall record, including a NACC Tournament appearance. Two of the season's most notable wins consisted of a 2-0 shut out victory over regionally ranked Illinois Tech and a 3-1 win over Aurora University. With the 2-0 victory over IIT, it was the first time all season that the Scarlet Hawks had been shut out, and earned senior goalkeeper Madeline Kroll the NACC's Defensive Athlete of the Week honor. When the Cougars defeated Aurora on Oct. 24, 2018, it was the first time in program history that CUC beat the Spartans and clinched the team's first playoff berth since 2016. At the conclusion of the 2018 campaign, two seniors, Krista Pojero and Madeline Kroll, were voted to the All-NACC Honorable Mention team under Paul's leadership.
She began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Capital University in Ohio in 2014. That season, the Crusaders went 16-6-2 overall and earned both an Ohio Athletics Conference championship and a bid to the NCAA III national tournament. In 2015, Capital won the OAC with a perfect 9-0 record, a first-ever feat in team history. The Crusaders advanced to the NCAA tournament again where they advanced to the second round as they had the previous year. Paul remained at Capital as an assistant coach in 2016, when the team finished 9-8-1 overall and second in the OAC.
During her time in Columbus, Paul also coached for the Columbus Crew junior teams. She worked with girls in the 13-17 age range and coached a couple of teams on the Elite Girls side.
Paul became assistant coach at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN for the 2017 season. The Lynx went 8-5-3 on the year, finishing third in the Southern Athletic Association and playing in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
Paul's previous coaching experiences have all prepared her for this next step of her career. She describes her future teams as follows: "We will be a hard-working and fit team, ready to compete every day, and I believe that we will have a very family-oriented team culture in place." When asked what she considers her chief assets as a coach, she replies, "I will have high expectations and bring a high intensity, just like when I was a student-athlete. But I also see myself as an encourager who can lift up my players and inspire them to do great things on and off the field."
Paul earned her B.S. in sports and recreation management with a minor in coaching from Marian University in 2014. She earned her master's in business administration from Capital University in 2016.
Ian Taylor returns to his alma mater in 2022 for a second stint as goalkeeper coach for the Forester women's soccer team. He previously served in that capacity for three years beginning in 2018. He has also coached at the high school level at Vernon Hills High School (3 seasons) and now Libertyville High School in the spring of 2023.
Six Forester goalkeepers combined to shut out 16 of 42 opponents during Taylor's first three seasons on staff and they surrendered a total of just 16 goals in 18 Midwest Conference games during that span. The group was led by Maggie Kersting, who was named Second Team All-MWC in 2019. Kersting went on to become the 2022 MWC Defensive Player of the Year and be First-Team All-Conference.
Taylor graduated from Lake Forest College in 2015 and was a four-year letter winner on the Forester men's soccer team. He helped lead the squad to a pair of conference titles and the 2013 Foresters made the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1980. Taylor posted an 18-12-3 record with seven shutouts and a 0.97 goals against average in his career and finished his four years ranked tied-for-fifth in recorded team history in shutouts, seventh in victories, and eighth in saves. He was a three-time MWC Defensive Performer of the Week and was named Lake Forest's Most Valuable Player as a senior.
Successful in the classroom as well, Taylor was a four-time Academic All-MWC honoree. He graduated with degrees in secondary education and mathematics and is now a high school math teacher at Libertyville High School.
"Playing, coaching, and living soccer is a huge part of my life and I love passing along my knowledge and love of the game to all players, no matter the position or level of experience. I'm so excited to be a part of the EXACT coaching staff again this summer!"
Shannon Sitch became the fifth Head Coach of the Aurora University women's soccer program in January of 2018. She comes to AU after six seasons as an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon University.
In her six seasons as an assistant at CMU, the Tartans amassed an 82-19-12 overall record with six NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to three Sweet 16s and one Elite 8. She helped guide CMU to two UAA conference championships, including the program's first.
Prior to her time at Carnegie Mellon, she spent the 2010 season as an assistant coach at the University of Montevallo and a season as the womens assistant at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she helped guide the Bears to a #8 national ranking and a 19-2-2 overall record. That same year, Lenoir-Rhyne won the South Atlantic Championship, as Sitch helped coach two All-Americans, the conference player of the year and freshman of the year.
Sitch is a 2009 graduate of the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a minor in graphic design. She earned her masters degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University in May of 2011 in business administration.
As a player, Sitch spent three seasons at the University of Tampa, where she won a Division II National Championship in 2007. At Tampa, she was part of a team that compiled a record of 52-7-6 in three seasons and appeared in 41 games. She finished her collegiate eligibility at Lenoir-Rhyne, where she was the teams third-leading scorer with six goals and seven assists.
Raider Review
Seasons at MSOE: 17 (2004-present)Record at MSOE: 167-145-15 (.511)Overall collegiate head coach record: 167-145-15 (.511)Conference record at MSOE: 104-50-6 (.650)Conference tournament appearances: 13 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) NACC regular season championships: 2 (2016, 2017)NACC tournament championships: 2 (2016, 2017)NCAA tournament appearances: 2 (2016, 2017) Served as assistant men's soccer coach at MSOE from 1999-2002
Coaching Awards and Accomplishments
Three-Time NACC Coach of the Year (2007, 2016, 2017)
MSOE Program Accomplishments and Student-Athlete Accolades
Coached Two NACC Offensive Players of the Year (2012, 2016)Coached One NACC Defensive Player of the Year (2016)Coached Two NACC Freshman of the Year (2014, 2017)
Coaching Experience Outside of MSOE
Club Soccer Coach at MSC from 2010-2014Club Soccer Coach at SC Wave from 2015-presentAssistant Men's Soccer Coach at Concordia Austin
Playing Career
Played at Concordia Wisconsin (1991-1995)Was a captian for the Falcons, earned all-conference honors, and won two conference championships.
Education
Graduated from Concordia Wisconsin with a degree in Secondary Education and Social StudiesEarned an MBA from MSOENational Diplomat, United Soccer Coaches AssociationAdvanced National, United Soccer Coaches AssociationGrassroots Coaching License USYSAUSYS F License,USYS D License,USYS Goalkeeping Level 1
BA Honours in Applied Sports Science and Coaching
UEFA B coaching license.
USC Advanced National license.
US Youth National license.
Director of Soccer Diploma.
FC Barcelona Innovation Hub - Certificate in Football (Soccer) Analyst.
Plus 20 additional licenses and awards.
Previous Roles:
Executive Director of the Kickers Soccer Club.
Summer Elite Camp ID Coach for Notre Dame Men's Soccer.
Plymouth Argyle FC First Team Match Analyst and Youth Coach (England).
Annie Gerdes returned to Knox in the summer of 2023 to lead the Prairie Fire women's soccer program. She previously served as an assistant coach in the program from 2019-2022.
Gerdes joined the women's soccer staff in the summer of 2019 after her career as a goalkeeper for the Prairie Fire. Gerdes played on the '16, '17, and '18 MWC championship teams and assisted in leading the 2019 and 2021 teams to MWC Titles.
In her time as an assistant coach, Gerdes helped coach the women's soccer team to their fourth and fifth straight Midwest Conference Regular Season Championships. She also coached goalkeepers for the men's team.
Gerdes was a member of the 2016 women's soccer team that was inducted into the Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022. That team kicked off a run of five dominant years by the program.
In 2022, Gerdes served as a Youth Camp Coach for the Chicago Red Stars and a Youth Head Coach for the Galaxy Soccer Club in Naperville.
During COVID, Gerdes stepped up as the Men's Goalkeeper Coach and was promoted officially by Coach O'Connor in May of 2020. Gerdes was also named Associate Sports Information Director in October 2020 after a year as the Assistant Sports Information Director.
Gerdes was a three-year Prairie Fire athlete. She was a member of the 3-time MWC Championship team and made two appearances in the NCAA Championship tournament.
Bianca Keil begins her head coaching tenure at Minnesota Morris starting with the 2020 season.
Keil brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Cougar staff from multiple different levels, including AZ Arsenal WPSL, NCAA DII and DIII, NJCAA, and high school soccer.
Keil served as assistant womens soccer at the University of Illinois Springfield from 2017 to 2019. She helped lead the NCAA DII program to a school record for victories in a season and their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) tournament bid. She was responsible for bringing in 24 student-athletes over three recruiting cycles and coaching two GLVC Defensive Players of the Week. Keil coordinated academic resources for the program and saw players achieve a 3.66 cumulative GPA in 2018-19.
As mens and womens assistant soccer coach and intramurals director at Illinois College (Jacksonville, Ill.), Keil recruited more than 30 student-athletes from across the country to the NCAA DIII liberal arts college in two seasons from 2015 to 2017. Her first recruiting class brought in 21 new student-athletes and helped boost the womens program's competitiveness.
"I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program at Morris," Keil said. "Throughout the interview process, I was impressed with the young women on the team and all the people I talked to from the university. I am thankful to the search committee, Cougar athletics staff, and campus leaders for believing in my vision for the future of this program. My family and I are excited to join the Cougar community!"
A native of Gilbert, Ariz., Keil began her coaching career at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler, Ariz. moving from assistant coach to head coach. Seton Prep saw great success in her five years as head coach and her tenure with the program as a whole, qualifying for eight state tournaments, reaching three state championship finals, and winning a state championship title.
Keils collegiate coaching career began at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, where she assisted the men's and women's programs. She also served as youth and high school club soccer coach with the Arizona Arsenal and Barcelona of Maricopa.
Keil played collegiate soccer for Scottsdale Community College, where she earned her associates degree. Keil went on to earn bachelor of science degrees from the Pima Medical Institute in Respiratory Therapy and Arizona State University in exercise and wellness. She completed her Master of Sports Administration from Missouri Baptist University in the summer of 2020.
Keil holds licensure and membership with the United States Soccer Federation and United Soccer Coaches. Over the last six years, she has led and been part of the coaching staff for summer camp programs for Exact Sports (in St. Louis and Chicago), the University of Illinois-Springfield, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Monmouth College, and Texas A&M.
Keil resides in Morris with her husband, Alex, and daughter, Victoria.
Esteban Martinez is entering his 18th season as an assistant coach with the Maroons. He is responsible for recruiting, practice planning, scouting and other administrative duties. In the summer of 2019, he traveled with the team to Costa Rica. It was the fifth time he had assisted head coach Phil Benne on the preseason trip. In the past 17 seasons, Martinez has help coach the Maroons to a 185-104-31 record. Two NCAA tournament appearances and 1 ODAC Final.
He is no stranger to soccer in the college scene in Virginia, as he has been around soccer in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for the last 18 years. For three years prior to joining the Roanoke staff, Martinez was the head coach at nearby Hollins University.
Martinez served as the head coach of the Cave Spring High School varsity girls soccer team until 2009. He was voted district coach of the year in 2005, after leading the Knights to the Class AA State Semifinals. In 2007, he was voted Region III Coach of the Year after a school-record 19 wins, claiming the Region III Championship and advanced to the State Semifinals. In 2008, he was selected by the Virginia High School League Coaches Association to coach the Senior game for the West Squad in Hampton VA. He finished his six-year tenure as the Knights head coach with an impressive 95-33-5 mark.
Martinez, who holds his NSCAA Advanced National and National Diplomas, has also served as a girls basketball and softball coach at the high school level. In addition to his NSCAA diploma, Martinez holds and NSCAA Regional Goalkeeper Diploma and a USSF-D license.
Originally from Ellenville, New York where he attended Ellenville High School, Martinez is a graduate of Bridgewater College, where he was a member of the mens soccer team for three years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Special Education.
Dedicating more time to the game, Martinez has spent over 15 years working elite soccer camps at Virginia Tech, Penn State, Radford University and most recently Exact Sports Camps. He has also coached at the youth level for local clubs including Roanoke Star, Valley AFC & New River United in VA.
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Fort Hays State University, a DII institute from Hays, KS who compete in the MIAA Conference.
St. Mary's (TX)
Division 2
Roshane Ellison will embark on his tenth year as Illinois Institute of Technology head women's soccer coach in 2024. (103-52-14, seven seasons)
Ellison's debut season as head coach in 2015 resulted in the women's soccer program's first USCAA National Championship appearance, where they held opponents to just 0.96 goals allowed per game. The Scarlet Hawks have accumulated four USCAA All-Americans, 18 All-Association of Division III Independents selections, one Association of Division III Independents Co-Defensive Player of the Year, one Association of Division III Independents Co-Goalkeeper of the Year, and one Association of Division III Independents Rookie of the Year throughout Ellison's tenure as head coach. Since 2018, Ellison has produced 12 All-NACC selections, 61 NACC Scholar Athletes, one NACC Freshman of the Year and two United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region honorees. The Scarlet Hawks reached the 2018 NACC Tournament Championship Game, which marked their first season in the conference.
Ellison previously served as an assistant coach with the Illinois Tech women's soccer program for one season in 2014 after a two-season stint as graduate assistant men's and women's soccer coach at NCAA Division II East Stroudsburg University in 2011 and 2012. While a GA with the ESU soccer programs, Ellison also held coaching stints with the Keystone Athletic and FC Pocono academies. He also boasts playing experience with the Pocono Snow FC and FC Sonic of Lehigh Valley in the National Premier Soccer League.
Ellison was a four-year member of the East Stroudsburg men's soccer program from 2005-2008; and concluded his career as a four-year starter, three-time All-PSAC selection, two-time PSAC Champion, and five-time PSAC Player of the Week. The 2008 season resulted in being named NSCAA Atlantic Region Player of the Year, and a spot on the NSCAA All-America Third Team.
Ellison received his bachelors degree in hotel and business management from East Stroudsburg University in 2010. He went on to earn a masters degree in management and leadership, also from East Stroudsburg, in 2012. He is a United Soccer Coaches member who holds certification and special diplomas in technical development of competitive players, building team cultures, attacking transitions and counter attack, speed of play, goalkeeping level one, and 4v4/small-sided games.
A former player and standout for the Judson University Mens soccer team, Diego Garcia enters his firm year at the helm of the Mens and Womens soccer program at Milwaukee Tech.
In 2020 Coach Diego was in charge of Womens goalkeepers at Division 1 Chicago State. Where he helped lead Goalkeeper Stella Chiardia to being #3 in the nation with saves.
My name is Daniel Gribben, I am the assistant coach at St Ambrose University, Iowa. I am from Glasgow, Scotland, and have now spent the last five years in the US. I played my freshman year at St Andrews University, North Carolina before transferring to the University of Houston Victoria, Texas.
Shaun Soderling joined the Kansas soccer staff in January 2024.
Soderling most recently served as the head coach of the womens soccer program at NAIA Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky from 2020-23. Prior to Brescia, Soderling worked at Division II Alderson Broaddus University as the recruiting coordinator for the mens team and a scout for the womens team from 2014-20.
In addition to coaching, Soderling was the director of operations for the mens soccer team at Evansville from Jan. 2013 to July 2014. He operated the teams networking efforts, coordinated community service opportunities for elementary schools in the area, and assisted in the daily operation of team activities.
Before becoming a coach at the collegiate level, Soderling worked at three high schools, including Vincennes Lincoln High School (Ind.), Henderson County High School (Ky.) and North Knox High School (Ind.). In addition to coaching at the collegiate and high school levels, Soderling has 20 years of coaching at the club level that dates back to 2003. He most recently coached with Racing Louisville's Youth Academy.
Former NCAA Division I goalkeeper Erin Scott was officially named an assistant coach with the Marquette University women's soccer program on Feb. 18, 2020.
I want to thank Frank Pelaez for believing in me and I cannot wait to assist him each day in pushing the women's soccer program towards success, Scott said. The Marquette community was overwhelmingly welcoming from the moment I stepped foot on campus, and I am thrilled about the opportunity to represent Marquette, a university built on such strong faith and tradition. The passion is so evident within the entire athletic community at Marquette and I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to be a part of something so special. I look forward to using my knowledge and passion for soccer to give back and help players reach their fullest potential both on and off the field.
Scott joined the Valparaiso University women's soccer program as a graduate assistant coach in the summer of 2019, following a four-year career as a Division I goalkeeper. She spent her final two years at Campbell, where she started all 38 games. A two-time Big South Defensive Player of the Week, Scott posted a 1.02 GAA as a junior in 2017, the fourth-best single season mark in program history. She ranks second in Campbell career history in shutouts (nine), fifth in GAA (1.23) and seventh in saves (157).
Prior to her time at Campbell, Scott played two seasons at Creighton. She made 24 starts over her two years with the Bluejays, including 20 starts as a freshman in 2015. Scott stopped 108 shots as a rookie for Creighton, second-most in a single season in program history.
Scott spent the 2019 spring semester as a student assistant for the Campbell womens soccer program. She has served as a coach at Camp Shutout, a camp devoted to training high-level youth goalkeepers, for the past four years and assisted with Campbell soccer camps during her time with the Camels.
Scott graduated from Campbell University with bachelor's degrees in broadcast/electronic media and sports communication in May 2019. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in sports media at Valpo.
Angela Staveskie is set to begin her first season with the Loyola University Chicago women's soccer program in 2021. Staveskie, who spent two years as a volunteer assistant coach at Northwestern prior to her arrival in Rogers Park, will serve as an assistant coach and work with the team's goalkeepers.
We are very excited about Angela joining our coaching staff, Loyola head women's soccer coach Barry Bimbi said. Her personality, passion, and excitement to be a Rambler is what separated her from other candidates. We look forward to seeing her work with our goalkeepers, connect with our current players and alumni, and being a great ambassador of Loyola womens soccer in the community.
During her first season with the Wildcats, Staveskie oversaw in the development of Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree Mackenzie Wood, who racked up a league-high eight shutouts and closed the year with a sparkling 0.63 goals against average for a Northwestern team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to her time in Evanston, Ill., Staveskie served as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois, helping guide the team to a pair of appearances in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament. Before assuming a full-time role at Northern Illinois, Staveskie spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach with the Huskies. During that time, goalkeeper Amy Annala was tabbed a MAC All-Freshman Team selection.
Staveskie, who has also coached on the club level with Chicago FC United and Chicago City SC, played collegiately at Toledo, earning the captains armband during her time with the Rockets. She was on a pair of teams that captured MAC Tournament crowns en route to appearing in the NCAA Tournament.
A native of suburban Park Ridge, Ill., Staveskie earned a bachelors degree in marketing and communications from Toledo in 2011 before receiving a masters degree in sport management from Northern Illinois in 2015. She holds a National C License from the United States Soccer Federation. Staveskie and her husband, Mike, have two sons, Rocco and Victor.
The opportunity to be an assistant coach for the Loyola womens soccer team is a dream come true, Staveskie commented. This is a special program and Loyola is a special place. Id like to thank Coach Bimbi and (Assistant) Coach (Chris) Brown for their faith in me and for the opportunity to work with this stellar group of strong young women. I am excited and grateful to represent the Maroon & Gold. Go Ramblers!
Eric Natwick grew up playing soccer in northeastern Wisconsin, and then played four years at St. Norbert College (De Pere, WI) earning an all-conference award.
Post playing career, Eric has coached a variety of age levels across the different levels of play, from 3-4 year olds playing for the first time, to high school girls at the MRL level (De Pere Select).
Recently, Eric was named the Coaching Director for AC Toros of Milwaukee Kickers. He is also in his fourth year as an Assistant Coach with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Women's Soccer Team (Kenosha, WI).
Jesse Urquhart enters his fifth year as the head coach of the Saint Mary's soccer program in the fall of 2020. Coach Urquhart also coaches club soccer with Jr. Irish Soccer club having won state titles with his 02 & 03 girls teams in spring of 2019.
Urquhart came to Saint Mary's with coaching experience at the club, men's collegiate, and women's collegiate levels. After finishing his collegiate playing career, Urquhart first began coaching at Neumann University in Pennsylvania as an assistant men's coach for the Knights. During that time, Urquhart gained additional experience while also coaching at Camden County College in New Jersey as well as at the New Jersey Rush and Highland Youth Soccer Club. Two of the New Jersey Rush girls club teams he worked with were state champions in the 2014 season.
In the fall of 2014, he started a two-year stint as the graduate assistant women's soccer coach at Defiance College in Ohio. While at Defiance, Urquhart coached U15 boys, U16 boys, and U18 girls at Valentis Athletica Soccer Club out of Bowling Green, Ohio.
As a collegiate athlete, Urquhart competed at Camden County College and Neumann University. In his final two years of eligibility at Neumann, he set school records in goals in a season, points in a season, game-winning goals in a season, and assists in a season.
Urquhart earned a bachelors degree in sports management from Neumann University in 2009 and just recently completed a masters degree in education with a concentration in sports coaching from Defiance College. He holds both a United States Soccer Federation National C license and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Goalkeeper Level 1 diploma.
Lauren is entering her 2nd year as Roosevelt University's assistant soccer coach in the fall of 2021. In her first year, Robert Morris University and Roosevelt University merged to combine a single team; during this season, the Lakers qualified for the CCAC Conference Tournament, marking just their second appearance in the postseason in the history of the program. The season came to an end in the CCAC Conference Tournament quarter-finals.
Prior to coaching at Roosevelt, she spent three years as an assistant coach and sports psychology consultant with the women's soccer program at Dominican University, an NCAA Division III school in River Forest, Ill. During those three seasons, the Stars amassed an impressive 52-7-4 record, won two Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference regular season (2018 & 2019) and tournament (2017 & 2018) championships, and advanced to two NCAA Division III Tournaments (2017 & 2018)
Katelyn Longino is entering her fourth season as an assistant coach with the University of Iowa soccer program. She joined the Hawkeyes in 2018 following coaching stints at Valparaiso, Xavier, and Columbus State.
In three seasons, Longino has helped the program to 30 victories, two NCAA Tournament appearances and the first Big Ten title in school history.
During the 2020 season, Longino helped the team to its second straight NCAA Tournament berth. After starting the season slowly, the Hawkeyes were playing their best soccer when matter most in the postseason.
With an expanded Big Ten postseason schedule due to league-only scheduling because of COVID, the Hawkeyes posted wins over second-seeded Illinois and third-seeded Minnesota in the Big Ten Regional weekend. The team followed with a road win at top-seeded Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals before downing third-seeded Wisconsin to claim the programs first-ever Big Ten title.
The win in Happy Valley was the first for the program in school history and the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions were the highest ranked opponent Iowa defeated all-time. Two freshmen forward Meike Ingles and goalkeeper Macy Enneking were named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Players, respectively. Ingles scored three-game winners in the tournament, while Enneking posted two shutouts and made 14 saves.
As a result, the Hawkeyes earned their second straight NCAA Tournament berth, and they continued to make history. Shipped to North Carolina, Iowa tallied a 1-0 victory over Campbell on the Camels home turf to notch the first NCAA Tournament win in the record books. Iowa had third-seeded UCLA on the ropes in the Round of 32 before surrendering two goals late in a 2-1 defeat.
Iowa finished the season with a 7-9-1 record, but all seven of the victories came in the teams final 10 games. Enneking was a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman team honoree. Academically, Iowa matched a school record with 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections, eight Hawkeyes were Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, the program had 31 Deans List honorees (in fall and spring semesters), and the program earned the United Soccer Team Academic Award, posting a 3.49 team grade point average.
During the 2019 season, Longino helped guide Iowa to one of the best seasons in program history. The Hawkeyes opened the season with nine straight wins en route to a No. 17 national ranking, the highest in program history. Iowa tied a school record, winning 15 games, including seven in Big Ten play, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
The Hawkeyes tied a school record with three All-Big Ten selections and senior Natalie Winters became the first player in program history to earn postseason recognition in all four seasons. Winters was also an all-region honoree for the second straight season.
Iowa was one of the Big Tens most potent offenses, ranking second in the league and 26th nationally. The Hawkeyes had an NCAA-best 16 different goal scorers in 2019. Defensively, Iowa posted eight shutouts and limited opponents to seven or fewer shots in 13 games.
The Hawkeyes shined academically as Iowa was the only school in the country to have two first-team Academic All-Americans. Iowa also had three United Soccer Academic All-Region and a school-record 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections.
During her first season in Iowa City, Longino helped the Hawkeyes to an 8-7-3 overall record and a 4-5-2 mark in Big Ten play. Iowa was in Big Ten Tournament contention until the final game, but fell short after battling Northwestern to a 1-1 draw. Junior Natalie Winters was a third-team all-region and third-team All-Big Ten selection Iowas first all-region honoree since 2014.
In the classroom, Iowa earned the United Soccer Team Academic Award for a 12th straight season and the Hawkeyes had two Google Cloud Academic All-Americans the first two in program history. Kaleigh Haus was a first-team selection; Hannah Drkulec earned second-team honors. Iowa also had 10 players earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, 25 players with a 3.0 GPA or better, 14 Deans List, and four Presidents List honorees during the spring semester.
Longino spent the 2017 season with the Crusaders in their first season in the Missouri Valley Conference. Valpo won nine games and finished 3-4 in MVC play. She spent the 2016 season at Xavier, helping the Muskateers to seven wins.
Longino played as a freshman at Columbus State, helping the team to 18 wins and a berth in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. From there, she transitioned into coaching, serving as a student assistant for two seasons, helping guide CSU to a 21-1-1 record and an Elite Eight appearance in 2014.
In her final year at Columbus State, Longino served as an intern in the athletics department, working directly with womens soccer as the team won 22 matches and reached the national championship match.
Longino, who holds a USSF C coaching license, has held coaching positions with the Ohio Elite Soccer Association, CFC Red Star, and Columbus Youth Soccer. She graduated from Columbus State in 2016 with a bachelors degree in exercise science and she received her masters degree in coaching education and athlete development from Xavier in 2018.
Mizzou Soccer head coach Bryan Blitz filled a vacancy on his staff, adding Molly Poletto as an assistant coach. Poletto brings a combined eight years of experience, both as a player and coach, to the Tigers in 2019.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Mizzou Soccer family, and I am very excited to continue to build on the rich tradition already in place here," Poletto said. "I am grateful for the knowledge and skills I gained at Boston University working with Nancy Feldman, and I look forward to making an immediate impact on this team and its goals of winning and building character."
"We are so excited to welcome a coach of Molly's caliber," Blitz said. "She brings a lot to the table for our program, most notably her work ethic, her ambition and the wonderful example she will set for all our student athletes."
Poletto helped BU return to the top of the Patriot League this past season, as the Terriers claimed their fourth Patriot League title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in program history. BU finished with an 11-7-4 record, including an unbeaten mark in Patriot League play at 7-0-2. Poletto was instrumental in guiding the goalkeeping unit to a combined 11 shutouts in 2018.
In Poletto's first season in 2017, she helped guide her goalkeepers to a then-record 10 shutouts as the Terriers finished with a 10-8-3 record and reached the Patriot League tournament semifinals. Under Poletto's tutelage, BU surrendered just 0.86 goals per game and the goalkeepers combined for a .798 save percentage.
"Molly is a great young professional," Boston University Women's Soccer head coach Nancy Feldman said. "She is enthusiastic and passionate about coaching and had a positive effect on not only the goalkeepers, but on the entire squad. We loved having her here at Boston University during her two years working with us."
The Englewood, Colo., native worked primarily with the Utes' goalkeepers unit in 2016 as a volunteer assistant coach after spending the previous three years as an undergraduate assistant coach. Following her promotion, the goalkeeping crew improved its goals against average from the 2015 season's 1.21 to a miniscule 0.65, while boasting a .860 save percentage after finishing the previous year at .784. The Utes also totaled 10 clean sheets that season.
"Molly is a fantastic coach and person," Utah Women's Soccer head coach Rich Manning said. "She was presented with a tough challenge when her playing career was cut short due to injury during her freshman year of college, but she has responded by dedicating herself to becoming a great coach. She made our goalkeepers better and contributed to the success of the entire team with her ability to be detail oriented and bring a winning spirit to work every day. She will be a great addition to Missouri's program."
Poletto originally joined Utah as a student-athlete in the fall of 2011 but saw her collegiate career cut short by injury, leading her to focus on coaching. Besides assisting the Utes, she has also served as the Director of Goalkeeping and an age group head coach for the Utah Avalanche club team, while also working with the state's ODP program.
As a high school goalkeeper, Poletto was named Most Outstanding Player three straight years (2008-10) at Cherry Creek High School in Colorado. She helped lead CCHS to the 2011 Region championship, while also participating in the U.S. Women's National Team Youth program.
She holds a USSF "B" license and serves as an instructor for the USSF "E" licenses. After graduating cum laude from the University of Utah in 2015 with a degree in communications and a minor in psychology, she completed her Master's degree in sports psychology in the spring of 2017.
The University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team tabbed Steve Shelton as its new head women's soccer coach in the summer of 2019.
Shelton -- a native of Grosse Ile, Michigan -- comes to the Titans after serving as an assistant coach at Ball State and head coach at Concordia (MI), while also working with the Royal Oak Football Club, the Michigan Rush and Grosse Ile High School.
"Steve is a young, energetic and local product who has already experienced a tremendous amount of success in his career," said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. "His passion for coaching and mentoring student-athletes was evident from the start, and I believe he will be a great leader for the women's soccer program."
"I would like to start by thanking Robert Vowels, Holly Kerstner, Teri Kromrei and the rest of the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead this great program," said Shelton. "Coaching at this level has always been a dream of mine and being able to do it so close to home is truly special. I couldn't be more excited to join the Titan family and continue to build on the tradition and success of this program. Although there are too many to name, I would like to thank everyone who helped me get to this point and believed in me throughout my coaching journey. I am truly grateful for your guidance and support."
Shelton was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Ball State the last three seasons, helping the Cardinals to the 2016 MAC regular-season championship, two MAC West Division titles and a run to the MAC title game in 2018.
In his three years, Ball State was 39-13-9, including 25-4-4 in conference play. In his first year, the Cardinals reached an all-time high of No. 40 in the NCAA RPI and compiled a school-record 10-game unbeaten streak and tallied a win at ACC opponent Louisville, the first victory for Ball State over a Power 5 opponent in a decade.
Ball State also recorded a 25-game home unbeaten streak in his tenure, which was the longest in the country at the time, and won a school-record nine games in a row during the 2018 season.
Before that, Shelton was the head coach at Concordia University in Ann Arbor and completely turned around the program, helping those Cardinals post their first winning season since the late 1990s. Concordia went from one win in his first season in 2011 to 9-9-1 in his third year and back-to-back 10-win campaigns in 2014 and 2015. The team skyrocketed up the NAIA rankings from No. 178 in 2011 to No. 27 in 2015. He also coached Concordia's first All-American in Julia Palushaj, who twice led the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference in scoring, and his team was full of student-athletes, managing a team GPA better than 3.5 every year.
He began his coaching career at Grosse Ile High School, where he was a standout prep player, coaching the junior varsity team from 2007-2009 before taking over as the varsity head coach from 2009-2011. He was the 2010 Huron League Coach of the Year and his program captured two district championships and a conference title. His 2010 team was a regional finalist and second in the state and his squad was the first ever to go 14-0 in the Huron League.
He was the Director of Coaching and Player Development at the Royal Oak Football Club after leaving Ball State. Shelton was also the Director of Coaching at the Delaware County Futbol Club in Muncie while he was at Ball State and coached with the Michigan Rush Soccer Club when he was at Concordia.
As a player, Shelton was an All-State selection and set the Grosse Ile records for assists in a season (27), assists in a career (52) and goals in a game (5). He helped his high school team to a state championship in 2002 and a ranking of No. 13 nationally in 2003.
He went on to play collegiately at Kalamazoo College and graduated from Western Michigan in 2008 with a degree in public policy.
Chris Allen, who served as a volunteer assistant with the Billikens in 2016, is in his first season as a full-time assistant coach.
I am thrilled to have Chris join our staff as a full-time assistant coach, head coach Katie Shields said. Weve already had the privilege of working with him for a year, so we know his exceptional qualities on and off the field. His positivity and passion for Saint Louis University, our program and our student-athletes made him the obvious choice for this position.
Since his arrival at SLU, Chris has been relentless in finding ways to improve and grow every facet of our program, Shields said. I look forward to having him on board full time as we continue to educate our student-athletes, compete for and win championships on the field, and grow our presence in the community.
I feel incredibly blessed and am so grateful to be given this opportunity, Allen said. After spending last year as a volunteer assistant, I have grown to appreciate just how special SLU and the Billiken women's soccer program are. To be able to join the Billiken family in a full-time capacity is a dream come true.
Prior to his one-year stint as a SLU volunteer assistant, Allen spent nine seasons as girls soccer head coach at Webster Groves High School.
Allen transformed Webster Groves into a perennial power in Missouri. During his tenure, the Statesmen achieved a No. 4 national ranking and finished third in the Class 3 state tournament in 2015; enjoyed six 20-win seasons; won numerous conference and tournament titles; and produced more than 30 players who went on to compete at the collegiate level. Allen tallied a 164-71-5 record at the helm.
Allen was tabbed Missouri Class 3 Regional Coach of the Year the past two seasons and was selected to coach in the 2015 Missouri Athletic Club High School Soccer All-Star Game. He garnered five conference Coach of the Year awards.
Allen spent two seasons as boys head coach at Gonzaga Prep and one season as girls head coach at Mead High School, both located in Spokane, Washington. He served as an assistant coach of boys teams at Webster Groves (six seasons), Rockwood Summit (two seasons) and Gonzaga Prep (two seasons). Allen was a girls assistant coach at Webster Groves (one season) and Gonzaga Prep (two seasons).
Also the technical director of Four Rivers Futbol Club in Union, Missouri, Allen was a three-year starter at Kirkwood High School before playing one season at Calvin College, where he earned second-team All-Conference plaudits. He transferred to Truman State and graduated with a bachelors degree in exercise science/sports management in 2002.
· Current Missouri State University Associate Head Women's Soccer Coach.
· Current U.S. Soccer Youth National Team Scout.
· Current U.S. Soccer National Coaching Education Instructor.
· Current Midwest ODP Region Girls Head Coach.
. Current National ODP Team Girls Assistant Coach.
· Former University of Nevada Associate Head Women's Soccer Coach.
· USSF 'A' National License.
· USC Premier Diploma.
· USSF Instructor License.
Eddie Garza was named the head coach of the Concordia University Chicago women's soccer team in January of 2022.
Garza comes to Concordia University Chicago after spending the last five seasons on the Northern Illinois University womens soccer staff. In 2021 he served as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the Huskies.
During his time at NIU, Garza introduced a possession-based style of soccer. Garza coached over 50 Academic All-MAC honorees while with the Huskies. Garza coached a number of All-Conference players during his tenure at Northern Illinois. One of the biggest highlights while at NIU was helping to guide the Huskies to an overtime victory over Marquette in 2019 which was NIUs first win over a Big East school in 14 years.
Garza returned to the college ranks at NIU after guiding the Ashford University womens soccer program to a highly successful campaign in 2015. He led Ashford to a 14-5-1 record and an Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Tournament Championship, which earned Ashford a spot in the NAIA National Tournament.
During his tenure at Ashford, Garza coached five all-conference honorees along with the A.I.I. Player of the Year (2015), A.I.I. Goalkeeper of the year (2015) and A.I.I. Defender of the year (2015). In addition, Ashford had three United Soccer Coaches Midwest All-Region honorees and a NAIA honorable mentioned All-American (Alicia Tamburro, 2015). Garza was named the 2015 Association of Independent Institutions Coach of the Year.
Prior to taking over the womens program at Ashford, Garza was an assistant coach for the mens team at Ashford from 2010 through 2015. During his time with the mens program, Garza helped guide Ashford to four NAIA national tournament appearances, which included three Round of 16 appearances and a semifinalist finish in 2013.
Before arriving at NIU, Garza had been the Youth Academy Director for the Rockford Raptors Soccer Club, a position he began in early 2016.
Garza has been an active staff coach with Illinois ODP since 2015 and currently holds a National B License from the United States Soccer Federation.
Garza earned his bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management in 2010 and his master's degree in organizational management in 2012 from Ashford University.
Coach Esme Torres is from Eureka, California, but moved to the Midwest in 2017 to play collegiately for [Concordia University Chicago](https://www.cucougars.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/esmeralda-torres/6399)( CUC). She most recently graduated in May 2021 with a degree in Business Management. When not playing herself, Torres is working hard to prepare the next generation of young female soccer players as a Varsity Assistant Coach for St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Illinois, and the Assistant Girls Director for [Chicago KICS FC](https://kicsfc.com/dream-team/esme-torres/). Torres started her coaching career while still in high school, serving as the assistant coach for the Humboldt Soccer Academy U10 & U14 Boys teams before moving on to AC SAMOA, where she worked with their U10-U16 girl's teams.
Head Women's Soccer Coach - Millikin University
Former Head Women's Soccer Coach - Wesleyan College (Macon, GA)
Former Assistant Women's Soccer Coach - Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH)
Former Assistant Men's Soccer Coach - Otterbein University (Westerville, OH)
Jennifer Myhre completed her seventh season as the Ravens women's soccer coach in 2017.
Over the past years, Myhre has grown the team and their impact on and off the field. In 2017 the team made the conference tournament for the first time in 15 years, set the record for the fewest goals against and had the best record since 2010. In recognition, Myhre was name the HCAC Coach of the Year.
Off the field, she has fostered a close-knit family, where the team serves one another and strives to be champions in all areas of life. The team has consistently received the NSCAA Team Academic Award, with numerous players on the HCAC All-Academic Team.
Previously, Myhre spent two years as the assistant womens soccer coach at Carnegie Mellon University. She also served at Luther College as an assistant womens soccer coach and special assistant to the athletic director through the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Womens Internship Grant program. Outside the college game, Myhre was an assistant coach at Northern York (PA) High School, involved with PA West ODP, Hoosier FC and Region 1 ODP Camp.
Myhre graduated from Messiah College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports and exercise science, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. She then received her masters degree in Education through the Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership program at the University of Washington.
During her four years playing at Messiah, the Falcons captured the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2005, were semifinalists in 2004 and 2006 and tournament finalists in 2007.
As a student-athlete, Myhre was elected president of the Messiah Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as well as the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation.
Myhre has obtained the NSCAA Premier Diploma and has a USSF C coaching license. She is a graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy, NACWAA HERS program and was selected as one of the 2015 recipients of the NSCAA 30-Under-30 program.
Myhre currently serves as an Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator. She oversees the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is the advisor for Andersons Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
2020-21 is Coach Talbot's 3rd year as the Head Women's Coach at the College of Lake County. In 2019, the Lady Lancers were the Illinois Skyway Conference champions and they were the Region IV tournament champions. In 2018, Talbot's first with the program, the Lancers made the quarterfinals of the Region IV tournament.
Coach Talbot is also a club coach with Illinois Premier Arlington Aces SC. He has worked there are the Girls Director of Coaching from 2017-present. He has coached with the Illinois Olympic Development Program from 2013-present. He worked as a coach and Assistant Director of Coaching with Heat United SC from 2006-2017 and as the Head Varsity Boys and Girls Coach at Elgin Academy High School from 2014-2017.
Coach Talbot graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993 with a BS in Journalism. He also earned his JD from William Mitchell College of Law in 1997.
Currently holds a USSF B license, a U.S. Soccer Grassroots Instructor License, and a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma.
Email at [email protected]
As part of our COVID-19 safety plan, the indoor sessions traditionally held on the first day of camp will be shared online.
Sessions will be accessible for the week prior to camp. They are available on-demand and can be completed at the athlete's
convenience.
This approach allows us to continue offering these valuable sessions so athletes arrive to camp ready to maximize the experience,
while still maintaining a safe experience.
Over 1,000 different college coaches have attended EXACT's events and will receive access to game video from camp. See below for just a few that attended recent events in this region. As they're announced, coaches will be added to the Confirmed College Coaches section.
Assistant Coach
Northwestern
Division 1
Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan announced the hiring of Paul Jennison as the assistant coach for the Wildcats on June 27, 2017.
Jennison comes to Chicago's Big Ten Team after nine seasons as both the boys and girls head soccer coach at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Illinois. He has also served as the goalkeeping director with the Illinois Olympic Development Program since 2016 and the Campton United Soccer Club in St. Charles since 2014 and worked at the U.S. Soccer Training Centers in Illinois and Wisconsin since 2015.
"We are thrilled to add Paul to our staff at Northwestern," Moynihan said. "His energy, passion for soccer, and positive nature all made strong impressions on us and make him a perfect fit for our team environment. Our program is built around coaches and student-athletes with strong work ethics that share a desire to learn and grow, and Paul will fit right in. He has been involved with soccer his entire life, and his experience with goalkeeping will be a tremendous asset for our program."
"I am extremely grateful and honored to become part of the Wildcat family. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with exceptional student-athletes in the Big Ten," Jennison said. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I was impressed with everything about Northwestern, and I cannot wait to help bring continued success to the program. I would like to thank Coach Moynihan and Coach Nikolic for trusting in my ability and giving me this opportunity."
St. Charles East has experienced tremendous success with Jennison at the helm. The girls program has won back-to-back regional championships and was the state runner-up in 2014. The Saints won their conference championship in 2015 and racked up four straight regional championships from 2014-17. The boys program advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2012 and won the regional title in 2012, 2013, and 2017. Jennison has led the Saints to four conference titles.
His goalkeeping expertise is extensive with stops at various U.S. Soccer Training Centers, the Illinois ODP, the Campton United Soccer Club, Baylor University's Summer Elite Camp, and Sports Recruiting USA.
As the goalkeeping director at Illinois ODP, Jennison was tasked with creating and implementing the curriculum, facilitating coaching development, and evaluating player development. He trained and evaluated goalkeepers and scouted national-level players at the U.S. Soccer Training Centers in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Jennison has received a number of awards during his coaching career, including the IHSSCA Section 3 Coach of the Year in 2012, the 2009 and 2012 Kane County Chronicle Men's Coach of the Year and the 2014 Women's Coach of the Year from the same publication.
He holds a USSF National "B" License, an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and an NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, which he earned with distinction.
The Middlesbrough, England, native came to the United States to attend Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, for the 2003 and 2004 seasons, where he earned numerous awards. He went on to play at Eastern Illinois from 2005-07, where he played as a goalkeeper.
Jennison is a 2007 graduate of Eastern Illinois with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He earned a master's degree in kinesiology from Georgia Southern in 2014.
Assistant Coach
Iowa
Division 1
Katelyn Longino is entering her fourth season as an assistant coach with the University of Iowa soccer program. She joined the Hawkeyes in 2018 following coaching stints at Valparaiso, Xavier, and Columbus State.
In three seasons, Longino has helped the program to 30 victories, two NCAA Tournament appearances and the first Big Ten title in school history.
During the 2020 season, Longino helped the team to its second straight NCAA Tournament berth. After starting the season slowly, the Hawkeyes were playing their best soccer when matter most in the postseason.
With an expanded Big Ten postseason schedule due to league-only scheduling because of COVID, the Hawkeyes posted wins over second-seeded Illinois and third-seeded Minnesota in the Big Ten Regional weekend. The team followed with a road win at top-seeded Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals before downing third-seeded Wisconsin to claim the programs first-ever Big Ten title.
The win in Happy Valley was the first for the program in school history and the fourth-ranked Nittany Lions were the highest ranked opponent Iowa defeated all-time. Two freshmen forward Meike Ingles and goalkeeper Macy Enneking were named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Players, respectively. Ingles scored three-game winners in the tournament, while Enneking posted two shutouts and made 14 saves.
As a result, the Hawkeyes earned their second straight NCAA Tournament berth, and they continued to make history. Shipped to North Carolina, Iowa tallied a 1-0 victory over Campbell on the Camels home turf to notch the first NCAA Tournament win in the record books. Iowa had third-seeded UCLA on the ropes in the Round of 32 before surrendering two goals late in a 2-1 defeat.
Iowa finished the season with a 7-9-1 record, but all seven of the victories came in the teams final 10 games. Enneking was a unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman team honoree. Academically, Iowa matched a school record with 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections, eight Hawkeyes were Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, the program had 31 Deans List honorees (in fall and spring semesters), and the program earned the United Soccer Team Academic Award, posting a 3.49 team grade point average.
During the 2019 season, Longino helped guide Iowa to one of the best seasons in program history. The Hawkeyes opened the season with nine straight wins en route to a No. 17 national ranking, the highest in program history. Iowa tied a school record, winning 15 games, including seven in Big Ten play, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
The Hawkeyes tied a school record with three All-Big Ten selections and senior Natalie Winters became the first player in program history to earn postseason recognition in all four seasons. Winters was also an all-region honoree for the second straight season.
Iowa was one of the Big Tens most potent offenses, ranking second in the league and 26th nationally. The Hawkeyes had an NCAA-best 16 different goal scorers in 2019. Defensively, Iowa posted eight shutouts and limited opponents to seven or fewer shots in 13 games.
The Hawkeyes shined academically as Iowa was the only school in the country to have two first-team Academic All-Americans. Iowa also had three United Soccer Academic All-Region and a school-record 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections.
During her first season in Iowa City, Longino helped the Hawkeyes to an 8-7-3 overall record and a 4-5-2 mark in Big Ten play. Iowa was in Big Ten Tournament contention until the final game, but fell short after battling Northwestern to a 1-1 draw. Junior Natalie Winters was a third-team all-region and third-team All-Big Ten selection Iowas first all-region honoree since 2014.
In the classroom, Iowa earned the United Soccer Team Academic Award for a 12th straight season and the Hawkeyes had two Google Cloud Academic All-Americans the first two in program history. Kaleigh Haus was a first-team selection; Hannah Drkulec earned second-team honors. Iowa also had 10 players earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, 25 players with a 3.0 GPA or better, 14 Deans List, and four Presidents List honorees during the spring semester.
Longino spent the 2017 season with the Crusaders in their first season in the Missouri Valley Conference. Valpo won nine games and finished 3-4 in MVC play. She spent the 2016 season at Xavier, helping the Muskateers to seven wins.
Longino played as a freshman at Columbus State, helping the team to 18 wins and a berth in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. From there, she transitioned into coaching, serving as a student assistant for two seasons, helping guide CSU to a 21-1-1 record and an Elite Eight appearance in 2014.
In her final year at Columbus State, Longino served as an intern in the athletics department, working directly with womens soccer as the team won 22 matches and reached the national championship match.
Longino, who holds a USSF C coaching license, has held coaching positions with the Ohio Elite Soccer Association, CFC Red Star, and Columbus Youth Soccer. She graduated from Columbus State in 2016 with a bachelors degree in exercise science and she received her masters degree in coaching education and athlete development from Xavier in 2018.
Coach
Indiana
Division 1
Basten transferred to Indiana in 2015 for her senior season after playing three years at Central Michigan. In 2017, she joined the IUWS staff as the Graduate Assistant. In that role helped to coordinate travel, day-to-day operations, and all administrative activities.
A native of Hoffman Estates, Ill., Basten played every game of the 2015 season on the Hoosier backline and helped guide the Hoosiers to a scoreless streak of 463 minutes, the second-longest span in program history. In addition, she was named the 2015 Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree. At Central Michigan, Basten started 42 games and served as team captain during her junior season with the Chippewas.
Emily now joins the Indiana Women's Soccer staff as an Assistant Coach for the 2019 season.
Coach
Michigan
Division 1
Holly Hein joins the Michigan womens soccer coaching staff in the 2018 season as the volunteer assistant coach.
Hein will work with all areas of the program, particularly focusing on in-game analysis, opponent and team video breakdown, as well as scouting report preparation.
In addition to working with the Wolverines, Hein has also been coaching the Michigan Wolves-Hawks Soccer Club since 2016.
Hein was a four year letter winner for the University of Michigan, playing from 2009-13. On the field, Hein was a two-time NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region honoree, a two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree and was named team captain for her final two seasons.
In the classroom for the Wolverines, Hein was named a 2013 Senior CLASS Award Finalist, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Five Second Team selection, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a four-time U-M Athletic Academic Achievement selection.
Following her collegiate career, Hein went on to play professionally for the Houston Dash and Seattle Reign of the NWSL before finishing her professional career playing for Aland United of the Finnish Naisten Liiga.
Hein currently holds her USSF C License.
Head Coach
Xavier (OH)
Division 1
Nate Lie (pronounced LEE) enters his first season as Head Coach of Xavier Women's soccer.
Lie joined the program after a 4 year stint at the University of Cincinnati that culminated in being named Associate Head Coach for the 2016 Season. In his first season with UC, he aided the Bearcats in posting an 8-11-1 overall record and 4-4-1 in league play. It marked only the fourth time in the last 10 seasons that UC accumulated eight of more wins and only the second time in 10 years that they had four or more conference wins.Cincinnati, who was picked to finish ninth in the AAC, surprised the league by finishing sixth, despite being tied for third entering their final conference match.
Volunteer Coach
Missouri
Division 1
Emerick joins the Mizzou Women's Soccer staff after spending seven years with Montana State-Billings Men's soccer as both a player and assistant coach.
During his three-year tenure as an assistant coach, Emerick helped lead the Yellowjackets to a combined 26-22-7 record. The Montana State-Billings alum also helped cultivate individual talent, as the Yellowjackets boasted two GNAC Newcomer of the Year award winners, five first-team All-GNAC selections and four second-team All-GNAC selections during his stint with the team.
In his final season with the Yellowjackets as an assistant, Emerick helped oversee what was a potent offense, as the Jackets finished with the sixth-most goals in school history (36) and the fifth-most total points ever (101).
In 2016, Emerick helped guide the Jackets to nine wins, their second-best win-total ever. Their attack was fierce, as the squad scored 40 goals on 36 assists. The program narrowly missed out on a NCAA regional berth.
During Emericks first season on staff with the YellowJackets in 2015, the team posted a winning record for the first time since 2012. The team had arguably the best offense in the GNAC, leading the conference in goals (35), assists (28) and points (98). The Jackets coupled this with a solid defensive unit that ranked fourth in goals allowed (24) to finish fourth in the conference.
Emerick also proved to be a dynamic player while at Montana State-Billings, where he played in the midfield and up front during his four-year career. He ended his career with 10 goals, 12 assists and 32 total points earned. In his final season, Emerick was an All-GNAC selection.
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Pittsburgh
Division 1
Riley Butler joined the University of Pittsburgh women's soccer staff in July 2018 after spending the previous four seasons as the assistant men's soccer coach at Radford University.
I would like to thank Randy Waldrum for the opportunity to join his coaching staff and work with one of the best coaches in the game, Butler said. I am excited to be welcomed by the Pitt family and I am looking forward to working with the student athletes and competing in the ACC.
Butler helped lead the Highlanders to an overall record of 50-17-11, leading squads that were ranked in the top 25 in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Big South Tournament champions in 2016 and regular season champions in 2014, 2015 and 2016 earned NCAA berths in both 2015 and 2016 under Butlers tutelage.
Since July 2014, Butler has also served as the Director of Youth Development and Director of Academy of the New River United Soccer Association. In addition to his club coaching experience, Butler served as the assistant boys coach at Episcopal School of Jacksonville (2012-14) and Fletcher High School (2008-12).
Following his collegiate career (2005-09) at Jacksonville University, Butler played three seasons for Jacksonville United and helped the squad to a NPSL National Championship in 2010. A Division I Scholar-Athlete at Jacksonville, he played an integral part in the Dolphins 2007 regular season Atlantic Sun Championship, 2008 A-Sun conference tournament title and second round appearance in that seasons NCAA College Cup.
A 2009 graduate of Jacksonville University, Butler earned a bachelors degree in marketing and management.
Assistant Volunteer Coach
Clemson
Division 1
Miles Maynard joined the Clemson University Womens Soccer coaching staff prior to the 2018 season and is entering his second season as Volunteer Assistant Coach in 2019. Since joining the staff, the tigers have had a 23-16-2 record. In 2018, the Tigers reached the semi-finals of the ACC conference tournament and a trip to the NCAA tournament. In 2019, the Tigers made it to the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament and to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
He also has coaching experience, working as Head Coach of C.C. Griffin Middle School girls soccer in 2014.
Maynard played goalkeeper at Pfeiffer University during the 2013 season. There the team reached the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Conference Tournament. He then transferred to the University of South Carolina-Aiken for the 2014 & 2015 season. In 2014, the Pacers were runners up in the Peach Belt Conference Championship. The Pacers made the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in program history and finished with the best record in program history 14-6-1. In 2015, the Pacers made it to the Quarterfinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
The Suwanee, Georgia native played club soccer at United Futbol Academy and attended Lambert High School. In 2012, the boys soccer team at Lambert won the GHSA 4A State Championship going 23-0-0. The 2012 team was also named NSCAA (USC) National Champions. Maynard won the Most Improved Player Award in 2013.
Maynard graduated from Clemson University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is completing a Master of Science degree in Athletic Leadership from Clemson University graduating in August of 2020.
Maynard holds a United States Soccer Federation D License and a United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma.
Assistant Coach
Florida
Division 1
John Roman is in his sixth year as Florida's goalkeeper coach and will coach the Gators quad of goalkeepers.
Before joining the Gators in January of 2016, Roman enrolled in the University of Florida's graduate school to study performance psychology. He received his Masters degree in 2017, and is graduating in 2021 with a doctorate through the University of Florida's Performance Psychology Laboratory.
Roman coached the goalkeepers at Fairfax High School in Northern Virginia before relocating to Florida. During that time, he also worked as a research analyst specializing in big data and analytics in the Washington, D.C. area.
In addition to his studies and coaching responsibilities, Roman is Vice President of Research and Analytics for Mission6Zero, a company founded by United States Special Forces soldiers that improves business executive and professional athlete performance during stress.
John Roman is also a proud Elon Phoenix, avid TK Little, and connoisseur of chocolate cake.
Head Coach
Illinois State
Division 1
On May 23, 2022, Marisa Kresge was announced as Illinois State's head soccer coach, the sixth in program history and second female head coach. She is entering her first season as a collegiate head coach.
Illinois State Athletics Director Kyle Brennan at the time of the hire: "We are extremely excited to have Marisa Kresge lead our soccer program at Illinois State and welcome her back to campus. Marisa has been a proven winner at every stop of her career, as a player at Maryland and Wisconsin and as a coach here at Illinois State and Wisconsin. She is extremely competitive and structured in her approach as a coach and a recruiter, which we believe will translate into success for our soccer program. Her tough, blue-collar mentality as a leader fits well with the culture of our department and we look forward to watching her get this program to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference."
Kresge at the time of the hire: "I could not be more excited or honored to be named the next head coach of Illinois State Soccer. I want to thank Director of Athletics [Kyle Brennan](https://goredbirds.com/staff.aspxstaff=3549), Executive Associate AD [Nona Richardson](https://goredbirds.com/staff.aspxstaff=3610) and everyone involved in the hiring process. The energy of the administration, their investment into the program and their drive to be successful was something I was immediately drawn to. Illinois State has a rich history of success, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our student-athletes and lead this program into the next chapter."
Kresge was an assistant coach for the Redbirds in 2016.
A former team captain and standout for the Wisconsin women's soccer program, Kresge spent 2017-2021 as an assistant coach for the Badgers.
In 2020, UW reached the Big Ten Tournament final while Jordyn Bloomer earned second-team All-America honors and was named the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year for a second-straight year.
In 2019, the Badgers won the regular-season Big Ten title thanks to an undefeated record in league play and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second-straight year. Three Badgers (Jordyn Bloomer, Camryn Biegalski and Dani Rhodes) all earned All-America honors to set a school record for most All-Americans in a single season.
In 2018, Kresge helped lead Wisconsin to a 14-4-4 record, the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten tournament and the second Sweet 16 NCAA appearance in program history.
In Kresge's first year she was able to assist Wisconsin on a 14-6-2 record, advance to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament and advance to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
After graduating from UW in 2016, Kresge spent one season with Illinois State, helping the Redbirds to a 14-6-3 record. With Kresges assistance on the sidelines, ISU won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and earning a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Additional coaching experience for Kresge includes time with the Verona Soccer Club, where she served as the head bench boss for the U-11 and U-12 girls' teams, was the assistant coach for the U-11 girls' team and the U-12 boys' team, while also coaching a skills clinic ranging from U-6 to U-15.
Kresge earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, physical education and adapted physical education during her time as a student-athlete at Wisconsin, where she competed three years for the Badgers. She spent two seasons at Maryland prior to transferring to Wisconsin
The Severna Park, Maryland, native started 19 of the 20 matches during her senior season and was the team captain while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second year in a row.
Off the field, Kresge was named to the UW-Madison School of Education Dean's List in 2014 and to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2011. She was also the recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2013 and a member of the Leadership Group at Wisconsin in 2015.
With Kresge on the squad, that Badgers had two of the most successful seasons in program history, claiming the Big Ten tournament title in 2014 and the league's regular season crown in 2015. Kresge finished her career with seven goals, including one game-winning goal and a pair of assists.
Assistant Coach
Eastern Illinois
Division 1
Alma Mater: University of Dayton, 2016
Hometown: Madrid, Spain
Misc.: Played college soccer at West Virginia Tech and University of Dayton... won USCAA National Championship at West Virginia Tech... won A-10 Tournament Championship at Dayton... volunteer assistant men's soccer coach at Dayton...
Assistant Coach
Indiana State
Division 1
Going into his fifth season as an assistant coach with Indiana State soccer is Adam Kleman.
Kleman comes to Indiana State after spending the 2018 campaign at Eastern Kentucky. During the fall, the Colonels earned the program's first-ever win over neighboring Kentucky in September, before finishing the regular season 8-8-4 (4-4-3 OVC). EKU advanced to the OVC semifinals for the third consecutive season, before falling to the No. 1 seed UT Martin, 3-2, on November 2.
"I am excited to welcome Adam Kleman to the Indiana State women's soccer family," coach Hanley said. "Adam has worked at a pair of highly successful mid-major programs and that experience will be instrumental as we look to build a championship culture here. Adam comes highly regarded from Nick Flore (former EKU head coach) who I worked with while I was at Iowa. His ties to the Midwest will provide additional avenues for recruiting future Sycamores. While his ability to influence training and positively impact our current student-athletes as they continue to grow as players will be invaluable. "
Kleman arrived at Eastern Kentucky following four seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio Valley Conference rival Southeast Missouri (2014 to 2017). Before arriving in Cape Girardeau, Kleman was a graduate assistant on EKU's staff for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
He served as Southeast Missouri's goalkeepers coach, and he handled administrative tasks, team travel, meals, compliance, and recruiting while assisting in overall player development.
"My family and I are tremendously excited to join Indiana State University and the Soccer Program that Coach Hanley has built," coach Kleman said. "We would like to thank Mr. Clinkscales, Ms. Lansing and Coach Hanley for their thoroughness and support throughout the interview process. It was very clear the passion that exists for Sycamore Athletics as well as the resources that are in place to allow the student-athletes to thrive at every level. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Coach Hanley has provided me & I'm looking forward to building future successes with both the players and staff here at Indiana State!"
In his first season at SEMO, Kleman helped guide the Redhawks to their fifth OVC title. Kleman mentored freshman goalkeeper Kindra Lierz that season. Lierz went on to be the first player in league history to earn both OVC Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Lierz also earned first team All-OVC and All-Newcomer accolades. The Redhawks led the OVC in goals allowed (0.71), goals against average (0.70), and shutouts (8) in 2014.
Kleman's work with the goalkeepers lent to Southeast recording 11 shutouts in 2015, his second season with the program. The Redhawks finished the 2015 campaign with an 0.93 goals against average and an 80.7% save percentage. SEMO's 0.93 goals against average and 1.00 goals allowed per game each ranked third in the league while its 11 shutouts ranked first.
The 2016 season featured seven shutouts of the Redhawks' opponents. The campaign was highlighted by a season-opening 1-0 shutout of Southeastern Conference opponent Tennessee. The Redhawks began the season 6-0-1, five coming by way of shutout. The Redhawks' 18 goals allowed ranked third-best in the OVC as did their 0.95 goals against average.
SEMO continued to be one of the top defensive teams in the OVC in 2017, ranking third in the league in goals-against average (0.91) and shutouts (7).
During his tenure at EKU, Kleman was responsible for on-field coaching, off-campus recruiting, travel arrangements and video editing. He was part of the memorable 2012 season, in which the Colonels set then-program records for wins (10), conference victories (6), goals (22), assists (18), points (62) and shots (253). EKU posted an undefeated home record (8-0-1) for the first time in school history that season, and had three players selected first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference, the most in program history.
A native of Elida, Ohio, Kleman competed collegiately as a defender at Transylvania University (2004-07). The Pioneers posted a 56-10-13 record during his career, won four consecutive Heartland Conference titles and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007.
Kleman earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Transylvania in 2008 and a master's degree in Sports Administration from Eastern Kentucky in 2013.
Head Coach
Wright State
Division 1
Sobers is a name some remember from his playing days on the WSU men's soccer team and joined the women's program in the fall of 2013.
Sobers, who starred for the WSU mens team 1998-2001, has had numerous coaching and playing experiences on the club and high school levels. Among those recent coaching positions have been the North Warren County Alliance Academy Director and coach of the U-13 Club as well as Ohio Galaxies Premier Soccer U-17 Club. He also coached at Bellbrook High School and played professionally for the Cincinnati Kings. While playing at WSU, he was named First Team All Ohio. He has a bachelors degree in organizational leadership in 2003 and recently completed work for an NSCAA National diploma.
Assistant Coach
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
Division 1
Now in her fifth season as an assistant, Morgan Betscher helped SIUE women's soccer to its most successful season at the NCAA Division I level.
Under Betscher, the Cougar defense shined in the 2016 postseason. SIUE posted three shutouts in five postseason games and allowed just two goals combined. During the regular season, the Cougars recorded six shutouts and finished fifth in the OVC in goals against average despite dealing with injuries to key players including No. 1 goalkeeper Juli Rossi.
Before coming to SIUE, Betscher was the head girls varsity coach at Greenwood High School in Greenwood, Indiana during the 2014 season.
During the 2013 season, Betscher was a volunteer assistant with the womens soccer program at Indiana University. During her season there, she assisted in the design and development of training sessions, was involved in video analysis for game planning, scouting and player development, assisted in on-campus recruiting visits, and helped with travel arrangements. The 2013 team advanced to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament and the second round of the NCAA Tournament after receiving an at-large bid.
Betscher served as the USYSA Region II Olympic Development Program assistant coach in Phoenix, Arizona, for five years beginning in 2010.
Betscher received her bachelors degree from West Virginia University in health and physical education in 2011. She played four seasons of soccer with the Mountaineers. In 2010, the team advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 after winning the Big East Conference regular season and tournament championships. In 2011, they also won the Big East Conference title. The Mountaineers also competed in the NCAA Tournament during all four years of Betschers career. Betscher was a Big East Academic All-Star and a member of the Big East All-Academic team each of her four years at West Virginia.
She was a member of the U15 National Team and made the Region Two National Team from the ages of 12-16. Betschers club team, which is now St. Louis Scott Gallagher, won the nationals at the U15 age group.
[](http://www.siuecougars.com/sports/w-soccer/coaches/betscher_morganview=bio#)
Assistant Coach, Recruiting Coordinator
Saint Louis U.
Division 1
Chris Allen, who served as a volunteer assistant with the Billikens in 2016, is in his first season as a full-time assistant coach.
I am thrilled to have Chris join our staff as a full-time assistant coach, head coach Katie Shields said. Weve already had the privilege of working with him for a year, so we know his exceptional qualities on and off the field. His positivity and passion for Saint Louis University, our program and our student-athletes made him the obvious choice for this position.
Since his arrival at SLU, Chris has been relentless in finding ways to improve and grow every facet of our program, Shields said. I look forward to having him on board full time as we continue to educate our student-athletes, compete for and win championships on the field, and grow our presence in the community.
I feel incredibly blessed and am so grateful to be given this opportunity, Allen said. After spending last year as a volunteer assistant, I have grown to appreciate just how special SLU and the Billiken women's soccer program are. To be able to join the Billiken family in a full-time capacity is a dream come true.
Prior to his one-year stint as a SLU volunteer assistant, Allen spent nine seasons as girls soccer head coach at Webster Groves High School.
Allen transformed Webster Groves into a perennial power in Missouri. During his tenure, the Statesmen achieved a No. 4 national ranking and finished third in the Class 3 state tournament in 2015; enjoyed six 20-win seasons; won numerous conference and tournament titles; and produced more than 30 players who went on to compete at the collegiate level. Allen tallied a 164-71-5 record at the helm.
Allen was tabbed Missouri Class 3 Regional Coach of the Year the past two seasons and was selected to coach in the 2015 Missouri Athletic Club High School Soccer All-Star Game. He garnered five conference Coach of the Year awards.
Allen spent two seasons as boys head coach at Gonzaga Prep and one season as girls head coach at Mead High School, both located in Spokane, Washington. He served as an assistant coach of boys teams at Webster Groves (six seasons), Rockwood Summit (two seasons) and Gonzaga Prep (two seasons). Allen was a girls assistant coach at Webster Groves (one season) and Gonzaga Prep (two seasons).
Also the technical director of Four Rivers Futbol Club in Union, Missouri, Allen was a three-year starter at Kirkwood High School before playing one season at Calvin College, where he earned second-team All-Conference plaudits. He transferred to Truman State and graduated with a bachelors degree in exercise science/sports management in 2002.
Assistant Volunteer Coach
Cincinnati
Division 1
Simon Wigley is entering his fifth year with the Bearcats in 2018 where he will once again serve as a volunteer coach in charge of player analysis. Wigley, who first worked with the program during the 2014 campaign, is tasked with overseeing several areas of video for the program, as well as assisting with daily planning and training.
Previously in charge of video performance analysis, Wigley currently utilizes various software and analysis programs to compile statistical data and video analysis for inclusion in individual player and team reports for the coaching staff. He also works to provide post-match analysis to players in area of performance data while also coordinating opposition scouting video and delivery of home match video to visiting programs.
While living in Cincinnati, Wigley continues to coach as his current position has him working with the Cincinnati Development Academy girls program. Prior to that position, he was a coach at Kings Hammer Academy.
Wigley attended the University of Sheffield (England) where he earned his B.A. in Politics in 2008. From there, he attended SUNY Cortland and graduated in 2013 with his MSc in International Sports Management.
During his time at Cortland, he also served as an assistant coach (2011-13) for a team that enjoyed success on the pitch, particularly in 2011. That year, the team captured the SUNYAC regular season title and advanced to the NCAA Elite 8. The following year, Cortland won the conferences playoff tournament and returned to the NCAA Sweet 16. Both years, Cortland was a fixture in the national Top 25.
Prior to crossing the pond, Wigley got his coaching career underway with Fulham Football Club as he coached the Advanced Development program at the FFCs training ground on Motspur Park. He also served as head coach of the Worcester City Wanderers U14 girls side.
Wigley holds several coaching certificates, including a United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) Premier Diploma, U.S. Soccer Federation D License, FA Level I and FA Youth Award.
Assistant Coach
Murray State (KY)
Division 1
At Murray State
Ryan Jones is in his first season with the Murray State women's soccer program in the 2018 season where they finished as OVC Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament Participants, and had an overall record of 13-5-1. End of the Year Honors for the Racer's Included:
OVC Freshmen of The Year Honors
1 Player on OVC All-Newcomer Team
1 Player on OVC First-Team
2 Players on OVC Second-Team
1 Player in TopDrawer Top 100 Freshman list
Coaching Career
Jones currently holds a USSF "D" license and NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 1 diplomaWorked for Perfect Touch Soccer, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he served as the Director of Business Development and Head Trainer.He spent time at the NCAA D-III level working with both Muhlenberg & Arcadia's men's programs, as well as coaching with various club organizations.
Playing Career
Played collegiate Soccer at Marywood University, a Division III School located in Scranton, PA.Was an NSCAA College Division 3rd-team Scholar All-American, a 4-time Jewish Sports Review DII/DIII 1st Team All American, 2-time NSCAA college division Men's Scholar All-East Region 2nd-team honoree, and a 3-time NSCAA Mid-Atlantic All Region 2nd-team; among other honors.In 2013, he represented the United States at the 19th Maccabiah Games in 2013 in Israel, eventually helping the Open Men's Soccer Team to the first ever men's soccer gold medal in any age group at the games. Jones returned to Team USA in 2017 and helped the USA to back-to-back (2013 & 2017) Maccabiah Games Gold Medals.Was recruited to play for Ecchleshill United, a non-league side, in England through the International Academic and Soccer Academy Program. During his last two months in England, he was invited to train with the first team for EFL League 1 side Bradford City.Jones signed a professional contract with PS Kemi Kings, which played in the 2nd-division of Finnish football while he was on the team.
Personal
Graduated in 2013 with a degree in Digital Media from Marywood University (Scranton, PA) and earned a Master's in Public Relations and Strategic Communications from Leeds Beckett University (Leeds, UK) in 2014.
Assistant Coach
Richmond
Division 1
Brandon DeNoyer, one of the bright young minds in collegiate soccer joined the Mississippi State soccer program announced by head coach Tom Anagnost in August 2017.
"Brandon is great person who is eager and hungry to be the best he can be," Anagnost said. "He is a good communicator who cares about the players and wants what is best for the team. To get such an experienced Division I first assistant for this position is incredible, and we are all very happy he is here with us."
DeNoyer comes to MSU after a successful six-year stint at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., where he helped lead the Saints to the 2015 Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference crown. At Siena, DeNoyer was the lead assistant coach and was over the day-to-day operations of the program. He was also responsible for the primary goalkeeper training for the Saints and trained the 2014 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year.
A native of Scotia, N.Y., DeNoyer joined Siena after three seasons as an assistant coach for his alma mater State University of New York (SUNY)-Old Westbury, where he assisted with the men's soccer program and was a volunteer goalkeeping coach for the womens squad.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experiences, DeNoyer has a wealth of experience training goalkeepers and other positions through camps and extended club coaching experience.
DeNoyer holds Regional, National, and Advanced National diplomas from NSCAA as well as a United States Soccer Federation "D" License.
As a player, DeNoyer played four years at SUNY at Old Westbury from 2004-2008, where he earned bachelor's degrees in both media communications and American studies.
Assistant Coach
Massachusetts-Lowell
Division 1
Joshua Schirmer enters his first season as an assistant coach with UMass Lowell womens soccer in 2018.
An English FA Level 1, NSCAA Advanced National, USSF C and UEFA B license holder, Schirmer most recently coached for the Sparta Prague professional womens team. He led the team to a Czech First Division championship, Czech Womens Cup, and UEFA Womens Champions League qualification as a seeded team.
Before that, Schirmer was on the womens soccer staff at the University of North Florida, where the teams win total increased each season after his arrival.
He has also worked at Eastern Florida State College, first serving as an assistant coach of the mens team and later as associate head coach of the womens team. He helped the mens team to a fifth-place finish in the NJCAA and the womens team to third and second-place finishes in 2014 and 2015.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native played at Tennessee Wesleyan College, graduating magna cum laude in 2004 with a bachelors degree in business finance and an economics minor. He was a two-time NAIA Scholar All-American and a three-year member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
After graduating, he played professionally for one season in Hong Kong and spent seven years in Japan, including with the Urawa Reds from 2009-2012.
He is currently finishing his masters degree in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.
Assistant Volunteer Coach
Cal State - Northridge
Division 1
I am on staff with LA Surf SC part of the US Soccer Developmental Academy for girls youth soccer. I am currently on the USSF "A License and have the NSCAA Premier Diploma in Coaching as well as the NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping diploma. I also have a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. I have coached from the ages of 2-22 in the last 16 years since I was 17 years old in England, Australia, USA and Canada as well as playing in all these countries.
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Beloit
Division 3
Following a national search, Connor McKee has been named the 11th head coach in the history of Beloit College Womens Soccer. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics & Recreation Tim Schmiechen.
McKee, who replaces Nick Chapman, comes to Beloit from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, where he was the Associate Head Womens Soccer Coach last season after serving as the Huskies Assistant Womens Soccer Coach from 2012-2016.
McKee was also the Girls Director of Coaching for the Northern Illinois Football Club for three seasons, coaching U10-U18 teams, and was a graduate assistant for the University of Sioux Falls Mens Soccer team for one season.
A 2012 graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, graduating with high honors in Business and a native of Rapid City, South Dakota, McKee was a defender for Elmhurst College from 2007-08 and helped the Bluejays reach as high as Number 16 nationally. He returned home to conclude his collegiate career at Sioux Falls, where he was a team captain his senior season and an All-Great Plains Athletic Conference selection. He also earned the Daktronics NAIA Men's Scholar Athlete Award while playing for the Cougars.
Head Coach
Lawrence
Division 3
Joe Sagar is the new head women's soccer coach at Lawrence University.
A native of Manchester, England, Sagar has been working at Augustana since the 2014 season. During his four seasons with the Augustana women's program, the Vikings put together a 44-26-4 record and made one NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.
Sagar was a standout goalkeeper at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., and is the school's career record holder in saves (205), goals against average (0.90), victories (50) and shutouts (19). Sagar earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from McKendree in 2012 and graduated with a master's degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration from the University of Nevada-Reno in 2014.
Before attending college, Sagar played professional soccer in Great Britain. He played with Glasgow Rangers FC for two years and helped that team win the Scottish Premier League Under 19 title and the Scottish Premier League Youth Cup in 2007. He also played for Porthmadog FC in the Welsh Premier League and made starting appearances for Porthmadog in the Welsh Cup.
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Oberlin
Division 3
Dan Palmer completed his sixth season as the head women's soccer coach at Oberlin College in 2018.
In six seasons he has completely revamped the program, raising the team's level of play and competitiveness while creating a culture of winning. In 2014, the Yeowomen tied a school record with 10 wins after combining for 10 wins in the three seasons prior (2011-13). The 2014-2017 seasons were the most succesful four year stretch in program history.
The Palmer File
In 2014 he led the Yeowomen on a nine-matching winning streak en route to a 10-8 season and 3-5 mark in the NCAC
Has led the team to the best four-year stretch in program history (2014-17)
Instructed four-time All-NCAC selection Gwennie Gardiner. Gardiner earned United Coaches All-Great Regional First-Team honors and was the first NCAC Offensive Player of the Year in school history.
Mentored All-NCAC First-Team Selection Gwennie Gardiner (2016, 2017) and Second-Team honoree Maddi Kimball (2015, 2017) and has coached eight other All-NCAC players over his first five years
Teams have been honored for academic excellence by the USC (NSCAA) each year of Palmer's tenure
Helped 2015 graduate Kate Frost set the school record for shutouts in a season (5) and career (12). She also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2013
His 2013 Yeowomen team was also one of 26 teams in the country to earn the Nation Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Gold Award for Ethics and Sportsmanship. Oberlin totaled 1,637 minutes on the pitch without receiving a red or yellow card
Came to Oberlin after a successful nine-year tenure as the head men's soccer coach at nearby Case Western Reserve University where he compiled a record of 87-65-16 while leading the Spartans to two University Athletic Association Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances
Two-time UAA Coach of the Year, Palmer's teams were ranked in the nation's top-20 three times, including as high as second in 2007. During his time with the Spartans, he also mentored numerous All-Americans and Scholar-All Americans.
Served as the head men's soccer coach at Hiram for two season (2002-03). Previously, he worked as the head women's soccer coach at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, from 1996-01 - compiling a 70-47-6 record - before also taking over its inaugural men's program from 1997 to 2001.
A 1981 graduate of North Central College (Illinois), Palmer got his start in coaching at his alma mater where he served as the head men's coach from 1984 until 1989. He also earned a master's degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1989
Assistant Coach
Carnegie Mellon
Division 3
Christopher Moraga was hired as a full-time assistant coach for the Tartans women's soccer program in March 2018.
"Chris will be an excellent addition to our staff," said Struble. "He is a believer in Division III athletics and knows the national landscape of D3 women's soccer. We had an excellent group of candidates for the position but feel Chris is the one that will help us take the next step in achieving our team goals."
With more than 10 years of coaching experience, Moraga will join the Carnegie Mellon coaching staff after a five-year stint at Whittier College in Whittier, California. Moraga served as an assistant coach at Whittier, helping to lead the Poets to the NCAA tournament for just the second time in school history after winning the 2017 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
Additionally, Moraga has experience as a club and high school coach, as he got his start with the Crusaders Soccer Club in San Diego, California. While at Whittier, Moraga also worked as a staff coach and college advisor for the Fullerton Rangers, and as a staff coach for U.S. Youth Soccer.
"I would like to thank head coach Yon Struble for giving me this amazing opportunity to be a part of a world class institution that strives for excellence in the classroom and on the field," said Moraga. "During my interview process I was blown away by the passion and pride the administration and players have for Carnegie Mellon; I knew instantly that CMU is the institution that I wanted to call my next home and can't wait to be part of the Tartan family!"
Moraga holds his National C and National Youth License coaching certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, received his Premier Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaches and was a 30 Under 30 Program selection in 2016.
Goalkeeper Coach
Emory
Division 3
Mike Wentzler joined the Eagles coaching staff prior to the 2011 season, and currently serves as the teams goalkeeper coach.
His efforts in his seven seasons with the team have led Emory to produce one of the top defenses in the country during that stretch, with his keepers allowing just 88 goals in 137 games. Recently during the 2015 season, Wentzler guided Liz Arnold to a All-UAA Honorable Mention, her third straight All-UAA honor. Her .818 goals-against average during the campaign was the 70th-lowest in Division III in 2015.
In 2012, he coached Kaele Leonard to the 13th-lowest goals-against average in Division III (0.459), and the 38th-best save percentage (0.86), as the senior claimed an all-UAA honorable mention, as Emory finished as the National Runner-Up. During his first season on the team, Wentzler's efforts helped Emory go 17-1-2 and claim a conference Championship, advancing to the round of 16 of the NCAA Championships. Under his watch in 2011, Leonard was named to the all-South Atlantic Region Second Team and an honorable mention to the all-UAA team after finishing third in Division III with a 0.288 goals-against average and sixth with a 0.909 save percentage. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Erica Stein set a school record with a 0.20 goals-against average during the year. As a team, Emory ended the year ranked third among Division III schools with a 0.242 goals-against average and a 0.8 shutout percentage, and fifth with a 0.904 save percentage.
Wentzler was a two-time NAIA all-American for Berry College in Rome, GA during his collegiate playing days. He also earned all-conference and all-region honors in 2006 and 2007, and was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2007. Wentzler graduated from Berry in 2008 with a Bachelor of Sciences, majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Womens Studies.
Wentzler holds a National D coaching license certification. He currently teaches at St. Pius X Catholic High School.
Head Coach
New York University
Division 3
Scott Waddell, formerly as assistant coach of the New York University womens soccer program, was named head coach in July 2023.
Waddell brought a wealth of coaching experience to his new position, re-joining NYU after serving as an assistant coach (2020-22) and associate head coach (2023) at Brandeis University. While there, Brandeis achieved its best conference finish since 2010, placing third with a 4-3 record in the ultra-competitive University Athletic Association (UAA).
Serving as an assistant coach at NYU from 2016-20, Waddell helped the program achieve its highest ever United Soccer Coaches national ranking at #15 in 2019 and a second-place finish in the UAA with a 5-1-1 record in 2018, its best conference showing since 2002.
Waddell returned to NYU with NCAA Division I, Division III, and international coaching and playing experience. A 2007 Columbia University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, he played four seasons as a midfielder/forward with the Lions' soccer team and served as a captain.
Waddell also played professionally for Pulau Penang FC (2008) and Real Mona FC (2009).
In addition to his NYU and UAA experience, Waddell also served as an assistant coach at Mount St. Mary's University (2022), as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at New Jersey Institute of Technology (2014-16), and assistant coach at Columbia (2010-14).
A member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Waddell is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, and resides in New York City.
Graduate Asst
Smith
Division 3
Taylor Reifert begins his first season as a graduate assistant coach with the Smith College soccer program during the 2019-20 season. While assisting head coach Jeannette Boudway, Reifert will also be working towards a Master's Degree in Exercise & Sport Studies.
Reifert graduated from Pitzer College in May 2019 with a degree in Anthropology after transferring from Lawrence University after his sophomore year. At both Lawrence and Pomona-Pitzer, Reifert was a midfielder for the men's soccer team and was selected by his respective coaches to serve as one of the team's representatives on the Lawrence and Pomona-Pitzer Student Athlete Advisory Committees. Reifert assisted the Pomona-Pitzer women's soccer team during their 2018 postseason run.
Assistant Coach
Massachusetts Institute of Tech
Division 3
2017: NEWISA All-Region Third Team NEWMAC All-Conference First Team NEWMAC Academic All-Conference NEWMAC Womens Soccer Offensive Athlete of the Week (10/16) appeared in 23 games and made 21 starts as a junior registered a career-high nine goals and 23 points as well as five assists four of her goals were game winners which came at Roger Williams (9/12), against Tufts (9/26), at Wellesley (10/10) and at Coast Guard (10/14) ranked fourth in the NEWMAC in game winning goals, fifth in goals and points and sixth in assists scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Tufts and tallied a season-high five shots in a 2-1 in at Clark (9/29) registered an assist in the NEWMAC title game against Springfield (11/5) was part of a team that had its best season in program history (20-2-1), reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time since 2012, won the NEWMAC Championship for the first time since 2011 and registered its highest national ranking of No. 12 in the United Soccer Division III poll [[SEASON STATS](https://www.mitathletics.com/sports/w-soccer/2017-18/players/amyapostol2u4e)]
2016: NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Week (10/31) played and started in 23 games as a sophomore registered a career high seven goals, six assists and 20 points ranked second on the team in goals, second in assists and second in points ranked fourth in the NEWMAC in goals, fifth in assists and fifth in points tallied one game winning goal, which came in a 2-0 victory over Mount Holyoke (10/1) also scored goals against Worcester State (9/6), Emmanuel (9/8), Salem State (9/20), Smith (10/15), Emerson (10/25) and Coast Guard (10/29) had four games where she scored a goal and registered an assist took a season-high seven shots against Wellesley College (11/1) in the NEWMAC Quarterfinal game notched at least one shot in 19 of 23 games played as a sophomore aided MIT womens soccer to its best season in program history (17-6-1), to its fifth straight NEWMAC Regular Season Championship and its sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament ... [[SEASON STATS](https://www.mitathletics.com/sports/w-soccer/2016-17/players/amyapostolbjil)]
2015: Appeared in 15 games (11 starts) as a freshman ... scored five goals and dished out two assists for 12 points ... ranked third on the team in goals ... registered her first career goal in a 4-2 win at Emmanuel (9/3) ... scored a career-high two goals in NEWMAC semifinals against Springfield (11/7) ... [[SEASON STATS](https://www.mitathletics.com/sports/w-soccer/2015-16/players/amyapostolqr58)]
Off the Field at MIT: Majoring in computer science with a concentration in Spanish Software Developer Intern at IBM Research Assistant at the Grodzinsky Lab (MIT Center for Biomedical Engineering) and the MIT Biomimetrics Robotics Lab ... Community Service Deputy of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.
High School: A 2015 graduate of Archbishop Mitty High School four-time varsity letterwinner in soccer First Team All-League First Team All-Central Coast Section First Team All-Central Coast Section Senior of the Year Central Coast Section Leading Scorer for 2014-2015 Varsity Womens Soccer teams three time West Catholic Athletic League Champion three time Central Coast Section Division II Champion Tri-Valley Classic Tournament winner Regents Outstanding Female Student National Honor Society California Scholarship Federation Archbishop Mitty High School Womens Soccer Scholar-Athlete Drum Major of Archbishop Mitty High School Marching Band Principals Honor Roll also played field hockey and softball.
Club: De Anza Force Soccer Club ECNL 2013 Elite Clubs National League National Champions (North American League).
Assistant Coach
Dominican (IL)
Division 3
Currently, Lauren is an assistant coach for Dominican University's women's soccer program located in River Forest, IL. In her first year as an assistant, the Stars won their second conference championship title (in the NACC conference), and qualified for their second NCAA Division III National Tournament appearance. As a licensed sport psychologist, she emphasizes the importance of the mental game to her athletes, aiming to build both present moment awareness and resiliency.
Formerly, Lauren played at the Division I level for Northern Arizona University, winning two conference championships, and appearing in two national tournaments. Her love of playing the game persists, as she is currently rostered for the WPSL (semi-professional) team, Chicago City Soccer Club.
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Concordia (IL)
Division 3
Shayni Paul was named head coach of the Women's Soccer program in November of 2017.
The Cougars had a seventh place finish in 2019, during Paul's second season as head coach, with an overall record of 6-11-2. With all six of CUC's wins coming in shutout fashion, Paul coached junior Brianna Welch to an All-NACC honorable mention season, with three goals and one assist. Welch's honor marked the third All-Conference student-athlete that Paul has coached during her tenure at CUC.
The 2018 season marked Paul's first season at the helm, as she made an immediate impact on the program with a 6-13 overall record, including a NACC Tournament appearance. Two of the season's most notable wins consisted of a 2-0 shut out victory over regionally ranked Illinois Tech and a 3-1 win over Aurora University. With the 2-0 victory over IIT, it was the first time all season that the Scarlet Hawks had been shut out, and earned senior goalkeeper Madeline Kroll the NACC's Defensive Athlete of the Week honor. When the Cougars defeated Aurora on Oct. 24, 2018, it was the first time in program history that CUC beat the Spartans and clinched the team's first playoff berth since 2016. At the conclusion of the 2018 campaign, two seniors, Krista Pojero and Madeline Kroll, were voted to the All-NACC Honorable Mention team under Paul's leadership.
She began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Capital University in Ohio in 2014. That season, the Crusaders went 16-6-2 overall and earned both an Ohio Athletics Conference championship and a bid to the NCAA III national tournament. In 2015, Capital won the OAC with a perfect 9-0 record, a first-ever feat in team history. The Crusaders advanced to the NCAA tournament again where they advanced to the second round as they had the previous year. Paul remained at Capital as an assistant coach in 2016, when the team finished 9-8-1 overall and second in the OAC.
During her time in Columbus, Paul also coached for the Columbus Crew junior teams. She worked with girls in the 13-17 age range and coached a couple of teams on the Elite Girls side.
Paul became assistant coach at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN for the 2017 season. The Lynx went 8-5-3 on the year, finishing third in the Southern Athletic Association and playing in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
Paul's previous coaching experiences have all prepared her for this next step of her career. She describes her future teams as follows: "We will be a hard-working and fit team, ready to compete every day, and I believe that we will have a very family-oriented team culture in place." When asked what she considers her chief assets as a coach, she replies, "I will have high expectations and bring a high intensity, just like when I was a student-athlete. But I also see myself as an encourager who can lift up my players and inspire them to do great things on and off the field."
Paul earned her B.S. in sports and recreation management with a minor in coaching from Marian University in 2014. She earned her master's in business administration from Capital University in 2016.
Head Coach
Benedictine (IL)
Division 3
Head Coach
Aurora
Division 3
Shannon Sitch became the fifth Head Coach of the Aurora University women's soccer program in January of 2018. She comes to AU after six seasons as an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon University.
In her six seasons as an assistant at CMU, the Tartans amassed an 82-19-12 overall record with six NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to three Sweet 16s and one Elite 8. She helped guide CMU to two UAA conference championships, including the program's first.
Prior to her time at Carnegie Mellon, she spent the 2010 season as an assistant coach at the University of Montevallo and a season as the womens assistant at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she helped guide the Bears to a #8 national ranking and a 19-2-2 overall record. That same year, Lenoir-Rhyne won the South Atlantic Championship, as Sitch helped coach two All-Americans, the conference player of the year and freshman of the year.
Sitch is a 2009 graduate of the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a minor in graphic design. She earned her masters degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University in May of 2011 in business administration.
As a player, Sitch spent three seasons at the University of Tampa, where she won a Division II National Championship in 2007. At Tampa, she was part of a team that compiled a record of 52-7-6 in three seasons and appeared in 41 games. She finished her collegiate eligibility at Lenoir-Rhyne, where she was the teams third-leading scorer with six goals and seven assists.
Assistant Coach
Lewis
Division 2
I finished my first year as an assistant coach with Lewis University Womens Soccer team. I have a strong soccer background, specifically as a player. I competed competitively in club with Sockers FC, was a member of the ODP Region II team multiple years, and in and out of youth National Team camps. I played division I college soccer at the University of Kentucky and was a captain my junior and senior year. Also, I played a year of soccer professionally in the NWSL with the Chicago Red Stars.
Head Coach
Carthage
Division 3
Assistant Coach
Alverno
Division 3
Lisa Collogan joins the Alverno womens soccer staff for her first season beginning in 2018.
Collogan joins the Inferno staff from Houston, Texas, where she was a staff coach for Albion Hurricanes FC. While there Collogan was responsible for all aspects of development for all U10-U18 players.
Before her stop in Texas, Collogan was a staff coach with Strike FC in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Prior to taking on the role with Strike FC, that stay was preceded by a stop in Watertown, Wisconsin as the Assistant Varsity Boys Coach in the fall of 2016 and the head junior varsity womens coach earlier in the spring.
From August 2014 through May of 2015, Collogan was the womens assistant coach at Maranatha Baptist University, where she helped lead the team to nine victories on the season.
A four-year soccer player at Maranatha, Collogan played in 71 career contests including 65 starts during her career. She scored seven goals and four assists while taking 30 career shots. She was a two-time NSCAA All-American and was the NCCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2010.
She graduated with a degree in Accounting Management with a Coaching minor and earned her diploma in 2012.
She has her USSF D License and also has a NSCAA Goalkeeper Level 1 diploma. She is also a certified personal trainer.
Head Coach
Saint Mary's (IN)
Division 3
Jesse Urquhart enters his fifth year as the head coach of the Saint Mary's soccer program in the fall of 2020. Coach Urquhart also coaches club soccer with Jr. Irish Soccer club having won state titles with his 02 & 03 girls teams in spring of 2019.
Urquhart came to Saint Mary's with coaching experience at the club, men's collegiate, and women's collegiate levels. After finishing his collegiate playing career, Urquhart first began coaching at Neumann University in Pennsylvania as an assistant men's coach for the Knights. During that time, Urquhart gained additional experience while also coaching at Camden County College in New Jersey as well as at the New Jersey Rush and Highland Youth Soccer Club. Two of the New Jersey Rush girls club teams he worked with were state champions in the 2014 season.
In the fall of 2014, he started a two-year stint as the graduate assistant women's soccer coach at Defiance College in Ohio. While at Defiance, Urquhart coached U15 boys, U16 boys, and U18 girls at Valentis Athletica Soccer Club out of Bowling Green, Ohio.
As a collegiate athlete, Urquhart competed at Camden County College and Neumann University. In his final two years of eligibility at Neumann, he set school records in goals in a season, points in a season, game-winning goals in a season, and assists in a season.
Urquhart earned a bachelors degree in sports management from Neumann University in 2009 and just recently completed a masters degree in education with a concentration in sports coaching from Defiance College. He holds both a United States Soccer Federation National C license and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Goalkeeper Level 1 diploma.
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Knox
Division 3
Houck was hired in March of 2019 to lead the women's soccer program.
Houck most recently was the head women's soccer coach at Caltech in Pasadena, California. She built the program from the ground up with the Beavers beginning play during the 2017 season.
Prior to Caltech, Houck was an assistant coach at Oberlin College in Ohio for three seasons. The team improved from 1-15-1 in 2012 to 10-8-0 in 2014.
Houck was a two-time Big East All-Conference selection while playing at Villanova University. She was the team MVP, captain, and a four-time selection to the Big East All-Academic Team.
Upon graduation, Houck played professional soccer in Finland for Pallokissat for one season and holds a USSF "E" National License, and an NSCAA Goalkeeper Levels 1, 2, and 3 diploma.
Houck earned her bachelor of arts in Sociology at Villanova and is currently pursuing a master of education in Positive Coaching from the University of Missouri.
Head Coach (Second Email)
Calvin
Division 3
A 2010 Calvin College graduate, Ottenhoff takes over the reins of the Calvin women's soccer program after spending the previous five years as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator of the women's soccer program at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Ottenhoff becomes the fifth head coach in Calvin women's soccer history.
"I am thrilled to announce Emily Ottenhoff as our head women's soccer coach," said Calvin Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Timmer Jr. "I am excited to see the impact that Coach Ottenhoff is going to make in the lives of our student-athletes - both on and off the field."
Prior to her five-year stint at Stevens, Ottenhoff was a two-year graduate assistant at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology while completing a master's of science degree in physical education and coaching science at Indiana State University.
Serving under Stevens head coach Jeff Parker from 2013-to-2017, she helped the Ducks reach the NCAA III Tournament in 2015, 2016 and 2017 including a trip to the NCAA III Tournament Round of 16 in 2015. In 2016, she helped Stevens post a program-best record of 19-2-0.
In 2014 she was named a Rising Star by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches). In 2015 and 2016, she was part of a Stevens coaching staff that was named the Empire 8 Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. She is a member of the United Soccer Coaches (association) and holds a USSF National "C" License.
While a student at Calvin, Ottenhoff was a standout two-sport athlete, spending four years with the Calvin women's soccer program and four years with the Calvin women's basketball program.
A four-year starter in the midfield, Ottenhoff helped the Calvin women's soccer team reach the national quarterfinals in both 2006 and 2009. In a second round 1-0 NCAA III Tournament victory over Wittenberg University, she scored a memorable game-winning goal, heading in a free kick in the 42nd minute of play.
During her four-year Calvin soccer career the Knights were 71-10-8, making it the winningest four-year stretch in Calvin women's soccer history. Calvin captured four MIAA regular season titles during that run and made four trips to the NCAA III Tournament. She finished her soccer career with 32 goals, 11 assists and 75 points. Over her four years on the pitch, she was a perfect seven-for-seven on penalty kicks. Of her 32 career goals, 13 were game-winners.
In 2009, she was named the MIAA's Most Valuable Player in women's soccer and was named a second team Division III All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. She was also a two-time first team All-MIAA selection during her Calvin women's soccer career and earned a spot on the NSCAA All-Central Region first team in 2009.
She also served as a point guard with the Calvin women's basketball program. As a senior, she was the starting point guard on a team that finished 24-5 and reached the NCAA III Tournament.
In 2010, she was named Calvin's recipient of the Kay Tiemersma Memorial Award. The award is presented annually to the top female senior student-athlete at Calvin that also displays leadership and Christian character.
Ottenhoff later served as a student assistant coach with the Calvin women's soccer team in 2010, helping the Knights win an MIAA Tournament title and reach the NCAA III Tournament for the sixth consecutive year. She graduated from Calvin with a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a minor in health education.
In 2011, she served as the head coach of the Holland Christian girls freshman soccer team before moving on to graduate studies at Indiana State.
Ottenhoff is a native of Palos Heights, Illinois. She is a graduate of Chicago Christian High School.
Head Coach
Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Division 3
Assistant Coach
Wartburg
Division 3
Tomecek enters his third season with the program. In his first season, the Knights finished 13-6-1 with an appearance in the A-R-C Conference Championship game as well as an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In 2019, the Knights went 15-3-3, winning the A-R-C Conference Championship, making it to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament & finished 2nd in the North region.
Tomecek comes to Wartburg from Benet Academy in Lisle, Ill., where he was the assistant coach for the girl's varsity soccer team. In 2018, he helped guide the team to a 20-4-1 record and its first appearance in the IHSA Supersectionals since 2012. The 20 season wins set a program record. They also had 16 shutouts, the second-most in program history. He was also named the East Suburban Catholic Conference Co-Assistant Coach of the Year. Tomecek worked primarily with the defenders, and also worked as a volunteer assistant coach for the girl's varsity team since 2012 before becoming a full time assistant in 2018.
Tomecek was a four-year starter as a defender for Macalester College. In 2015, he helped the Scots win the MIAC regular season championship, finish undefeated during the regular season, and appear in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010.
Tomecek graduated from Macalester in December of 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
Alderson-Broaddus
Division 2
Coach Soderling works as an assistant coach at Alderson Broaddus University. In his time as an assistant there, the staff has overseen a complete turnaround that led to the Battlers winning the 2016 GMAC Championship.
Assistant Coach
Pfeiffer
Division 2
Justin Gilfert joined the Falcon women's soccer program as an assistant coach in April of 2019
An all-star player at Hinsdale Central School, Gilfert played in Lloret de Mar, Spain during his senior year with NY Select before graduating to Finger Lakes Community College where he suited up during his freshman season.
He then transferred to Hilbert College where he graduated in December of 2016 after playing for the Hawks the three seasons.
At Hilbert, he was part of a team that reached the quarterfinals of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Championship twice.
After graduation, he signed with Chivas USA U23 Academy, who operated as an MLS from 2004-2014 in Bradenton, Florida. Gilfert also had multiple professional trials across Europe.
Coaching Experience:
St. Bonaventure University 2007-2018
Part of a rebuilding program that made the Atlantic 10 playoffs for the first time since 2010
8-9-2 overall record
Had players named National Player of the Week
National team player for Hong Kong and he also signed to play professionally in Spain
Greensboro College 2018-2019
Helped coach Greensboro to an undefeated regular season that saw them win the regular season title for the first time in 15 years.
17-1 record (Most wins in school history).
Helped develop Greensboros first ever national team player who currently plays for the Puerto Rican national team and will be signing with Puerto Rico Sol upon graduation.
Head Coach
Illinois Tech
NAIA
Roshane Ellison will embark on his tenth year as Illinois Institute of Technology head women's soccer coach in 2024. (103-52-14, seven seasons)
Ellison's debut season as head coach in 2015 resulted in the women's soccer program's first USCAA National Championship appearance, where they held opponents to just 0.96 goals allowed per game. The Scarlet Hawks have accumulated four USCAA All-Americans, 18 All-Association of Division III Independents selections, one Association of Division III Independents Co-Defensive Player of the Year, one Association of Division III Independents Co-Goalkeeper of the Year, and one Association of Division III Independents Rookie of the Year throughout Ellison's tenure as head coach. Since 2018, Ellison has produced 12 All-NACC selections, 61 NACC Scholar Athletes, one NACC Freshman of the Year and two United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region honorees. The Scarlet Hawks reached the 2018 NACC Tournament Championship Game, which marked their first season in the conference.
Ellison previously served as an assistant coach with the Illinois Tech women's soccer program for one season in 2014 after a two-season stint as graduate assistant men's and women's soccer coach at NCAA Division II East Stroudsburg University in 2011 and 2012. While a GA with the ESU soccer programs, Ellison also held coaching stints with the Keystone Athletic and FC Pocono academies. He also boasts playing experience with the Pocono Snow FC and FC Sonic of Lehigh Valley in the National Premier Soccer League.
Ellison was a four-year member of the East Stroudsburg men's soccer program from 2005-2008; and concluded his career as a four-year starter, three-time All-PSAC selection, two-time PSAC Champion, and five-time PSAC Player of the Week. The 2008 season resulted in being named NSCAA Atlantic Region Player of the Year, and a spot on the NSCAA All-America Third Team.
Ellison received his bachelors degree in hotel and business management from East Stroudsburg University in 2010. He went on to earn a masters degree in management and leadership, also from East Stroudsburg, in 2012. He is a United Soccer Coaches member who holds certification and special diplomas in technical development of competitive players, building team cultures, attacking transitions and counter attack, speed of play, goalkeeping level one, and 4v4/small-sided games.
Assistant Coach
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Division 1
Brown comes to Milwaukee after spending last season as a member of the coaching staff at Loyola University Chicago. His tenure with the Ramblers produced an 11-7-1 overall win-loss mark, culminating with Missouri Valley Conference regular-season (at 6-1-0) and tournament championships and a spot in the NCAA Tournament last fall.
Brown also served as the Girls Director of Coaching for the Team Chicago Soccer Club while on staff with the Ramblers.
Prior to his time with Team Chicago SC, Brown served for two seasons as the head women's soccer coach at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Ill. He led the Cougars to a 10-win campaign in 2016 and oversaw in the development of nine Northern Athletics Collegiate All-Conference selections.
Brown has also spent time on the coaching staffs at Dominican University (2011), Oregon State (2010) and Northern Illinois (2007, 2008-09).
Brown began his playing career at Chandler Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz., before transferring to Northern Illinois in 2004. He helped lead the Huskies to a 12-6-0 overall mark and second-place finish in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during his first season in DeKalb, Ill., their top league finish since 1990.
A native of Mesa, Ariz., Brown earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois in 2007 as well as a Master's Degree in Sports Management in 2011. He holds a National "A" License from the United States Soccer Federation in addition to Regional and State Goalkeeping Diplomas from the United Soccer Coaches Association.
Head Coach
North Central (IL)
Division 3
Gamarra joins the North Central women's soccer coaching staff in 2016 as the Cardinals head coach. Previously, Andrew was the head women's coach at the Sage Colleges in Albany, New York.
In his two years as head coach, Gamarra has helped the women's soccer program achieve new levels of success. In his first season, he led the team to a record of 12-6-2, while the squad earned post-season play in both the Skyline Conference Tournament and the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament. By season's end, Gamarra had earned Skyline Conference Coach of the Year honors after leading the team to the semifinals of both the Skyline and ECAC tournament.
Most recently, Sage's women's soccer team finished the 2015 campaign with a share of the program's first Skyline Conference regular-season championship after an 8-1 record. Sage fell in the Skyline Conference semifinals in penalty kicks and capped the record-setting season with a 14-4-1 mark. The 14 wins is a new standard for success for the team, while also strung together a seven-game win streak and had the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year, while three players earned Skyline First Team honors another pair earned second team citations, and the Gators produced the team's first NSCAA All-East Third Team performer.
In just two seasons, he already boasts a career record of 26-10-3, posting a .705 win percentage with the Gators.
Gamarra is very knowledgeable about the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) as he spent five seasons as an assistant men's soccer coach at his alma mater, Carthage College. Gamarra initially attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and was part of the program's first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2006. He added two game-winning goals as a member of the 2007 team that capped the season with an 11-7-1 record and a quarterfinalist showing in the league tournament. He transferred to Carthage in fall 2008 and played for two years before graduating in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He later earned a master's degree in education from Carthage in 2013.
Andrew Gamarra
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Andrew Gamarra joins the North Central women's soccer coaching staff in 2016 as the Cardinals head coach. Previously, Andrew was the head women's coach at the Sage Colleges in Albany, New York.
In his two years as head coach, Gamarra has helped the women's soccer program achieve new levels of success. In his first season, he led the team to a record of 12-6-2, while the squad earned post-season play in both the Skyline Conference Tournament and the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament. By season's end, Gamarra had earned Skyline Conference Coach of the Year honors after leading the team to the semifinals of both the Skyline and ECAC tournament.
Most recently, Sage's women's soccer team finished the 2015 campaign with a share of the program's first Skyline Conference regular-season championship after an 8-1 record. Sage fell in the Skyline Conference semifinals in penalty kicks and capped the record-setting season with a 14-4-1 mark. The 14 wins is a new standard for success for the team, while also strung together a seven-game win streak and had the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year, while three players earned Skyline First Team honors another pair earned second team citations, and the Gators produced the team's first NSCAA All-East Third Team performer.
In just two seasons, he already boasts a career record of 26-10-3, posting a .705 win percentage with the Gators.
Gamarra is very knowledgeable about the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) as he spent five seasons as an assistant men's soccer coach at his alma mater, Carthage College. Gamarra initially attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and was part of the program's first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2006. He added two game-winning goals as a member of the 2007 team that capped the season with an 11-7-1 record and a quarterfinalist showing in the league tournament. He transferred to Carthage in fall 2008 and played for two years before graduating in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He later earned a master's degree in education from Carthage in 2013.
Head Coach
Edgewood
Division 3
EXACT
Assistant Coach
Roosevelt
NAIA
A native of Leicester, England, Blakely's familiarity with the NAIA and CCAC stem from his time as a student-athlete for former conference member Illinois Tech. After transferring to IIT from Marshalltown Community College in Iowa, Blakely garnered All-CCAC Honorable Mention accolades in 2008 and First Team All-CCAC recognition during the Scarlet Hawks' conference regular-season championship run in 2010.
After guiding the Chicago Fire Premier U23 to a national title in the summer of 2010, Blakely went on to play for Antigua Barracuda FC in the USL Professional Division and the CONCACAF Champions League. He also represented Antigua and Barbuda as a Senior National Team player and played in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He also served as an assistant coach for the Antigua and Barbuda U13 and U15 youth national teams
Blakely went to work for Leicestershire & Rutland County FA as a soccer development officer in Loughborough, UK in 2013 before heading back to the U.S. to serve on the legendary John Gibson's staff as a graduate assistant coach for Springfield (Mass.) from 2014-2016. There Blakely garnered key collegiate women's soccer coaching experience with responsibilities ranging from recruiting, practice leadership, gameday management, team travel coordination and community development. During his two years with the Pride, Blakely helped Springfield win two New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament Championships and advance to two NCAA Division III National Championship Tournaments.
Most recently Blakely has stayed engaged in the game through a variety of means. He worked for Paragon Marketing Group since 2016 as a senior account coordinator co-managing Yokohama Tire's U.S. youth soccer program and leading a variety of Gatorade partnerships and programs. In addition to his work at Paragon, Blakely served as a youth soccer coach for Wilmette Wings Soccer Club.
As part of our COVID-19 safety plan, the indoor sessions traditionally held on the first day of camp will be shared online.
Sessions will be accessible for the week prior to camp. They are available on-demand and can be completed at the athlete's
convenience.
This approach allows us to continue offering these valuable sessions so athletes arrive to camp ready to maximize the experience,
while still maintaining a safe experience.
EXACT partners with college coaches to prioritize premium training for athletes.
In addition to the showcase games, all field players participate in training sessions designed and led by college coaches
Each session includes a tactical overview to discuss concepts in attacking, defending, and transition
In addition for an opportunity for players to showcase themselves in a training environment, players get to see what it is like to play for different college coaches at camp
A Goalkeeper Showcase- all attending college coaches will watch you 'live' PLUS GK showcase is digitally streamed to 100+ NCAA coaches around the country
Multiple private position-specific training sessions with a team of college coaches
A keeper-specific session on the recruiting process to cover unique aspects of the position
Live-action in tournament gameplay, observed by all college coaches
Add a professionally filmed and edited video to your camp experience
Highlights are captured during workouts at camp and edited to show you at your best
Your video will be edited after camp and delivered on a personalized Highlight Video webpage
Add a video package to your experience from your Camp Dashboard (after registration)
See what people are saying about EXACT!
Player
I really appreciated the atmosphere that EXACT Sports Elite Camp provided. Everyone was included in any drill or game we were doing. It was an awesome experience to meet girls I've never seen before early in the morning, practice drills and techniques with them, and play with them/against them later in the same day. It is very different than practicing with the same team every day, every year. It was an experience to go out on a field with complete strangers and interact with them on the field. I also loved the number of college coaches who were at the camp. Especially at my young age, I haven't yet focused on one or two schools yet, so having a wide variety coaches from different schools and levels was exactly what I needed and was looking for.
Player
The EXACT Camp was really informative and challenging. The coaches were very honest and gave me some really good information and tips, which I really enjoyed it.
Overall, it was an excellent camp experience, wish I lived in America to visit more ID camps, coaches gave me much more coaching and training then my own coaches, so it was good to see that I can pick it up a bit to improve my overall performances. I have gone MENTALLLLL!!!!!!!
Player
EXACT offers a great experience that blends on field training in a college atmosphere with off field soft skills needed to help become a better candidate for recruitment. The coaches provide excellent, real world feedback to parents and athletes on what and what not to do. Overall its a great experience that provides insight that will serve the players and the parents well during the recruiting period.
Parent
My daughter had a great time. The coaches were professional and very approachable. The question and answer panel with the coaches was informative. There was more interaction between the players and coaches than I expected from attending other "camps". The coaches really made an effort to be available when not on the field. I would highly recommend this experience to others. Soccer players can never get enough exposure for a reasonable price, nor can they gain enough experience playing with girls that are unknown to them.
Player
I was very satisfied with the program and how it was run. Being new to these types of experiences and camps, I was happy to see how the staff was kind and helpful to all the athletes. I know that in the future if an opportunity like this swings around the corner I will have no trouble snatching it. I had an amazing time at this camp and hope it happens again. Thank you to all for hosting it. Also having celebrity's host a camp like this one makes it very special to a lot of the athletes.
Parent
I was impressed with the overall flow and their ability to adapt to adverse scheduling conflicts from the facility. This is a great opportunity for my daughter to see beyond the club and school soccer, and the annoying reminding from us. It helps keep her motivated and going in the direction she wants to go with this sport. We'll definitely return to future camps. I as a parent was able to network with parents of older girls as well which helps me greatly in the posit of my daughters goals.
Player
I loved the environment of the EXACT camp. It's so different from other camps because it takes into account the mental aspect of the game instead of just the physical aspect. The environment was friendly and welcome, and this camp gave me a giant boost of confidence whether for striking up a conversation with a college coach or just on the field. It was very informative and I feel like I'm on the right track for being recruited at a college that is the right fit for me. Thank you!
Player
I loved that I was able to communicate and work with a variety of different coaches. It was an eye opening experience and I was surprised how sociable I was with the other girls at the camp, because I am usually shy and don't want to talk to people. Thank you and two thumbs up to you for getting me out of my shell.
Player
The staff, the players, and the coaches that were apart of this camp were such genuine and caring people that I really felt welcome when I stepped on the field. Also, it was just a really fun experience where I had the chance to interact with fellow soccer lovers and I learned so much. I have to give it 10 out of 10 soccer balls.
This is one of the first times I've had the opportunity to interact so closely with college coaches and it really opened up my eyes not only to the opportunities that are available to me, but also the personalities of these coaches. They truly care about the improvement and development of their players and it's so wonderful spending time with such professional and involved people.
Player
EXACT is a very good way to promote yourself if you are wanting to play at the next level. The most inspiring thing about EXACT is that they want everyone to believe in themselves, which goes a long way when you are trying to be your best.
The camp was very well run, and it is essential that everyone try to go to at least one EXACT camp while they still have the opportunity.
Learn why EXACT Sports is the most trusted and top-rated training camp
Largest college coaching staff of any organization -- camp, tournament or club (bringing in 1000 amazing college coaches every year)!
Hugely successful supporters of high school athletes -- 70.2% of participants have gone on to play NCAA or NAIA college athletics.
Only training camp organization that has received funding from the NCAA.
Official behavioral training partner of US Soccer.
The only camp staff that has expertise in developing athletes from high school to college to pro (we also work with over 60 pro teams).
The only exposure organization that blends the 4 pillars of development through our mental training expertise (EXACT is funded by the National Institutes of Health).
This is a sample schedule. Registered athletes will receive a final schedule prior to camp.
Overview
Residential (Optional)
Athletes Traveling Alone
If You Drive
If You Fly
EXACT's goal is to provide every participant a great camp experience. We know that starts with your travel arrangements. We accommodate a variety of travel options so you can pick what works best for your family, whether that is driving or flying, athlete traveling alone or with a parent, or opting into our residential option or booking your own lodging. Select from the options below for more information.
Traveling far to get to EXACT? Campers have the option to participate in the residential, overnight program. Typically, 20-40% of campers participate in this optional program. Those interested in lodging can add on during registration. Campers stay in EXACT-supervised accommodations with 1-3 fellow participating players. Friendship requests can be made to [email protected]. Included in the EXACT residency option are two nights lodging, dinners, breakfasts and shuttle between the camp game fields and the overnight accommodations (plus all the fun you can handle!)
In addition to a GPS location, we provide specific directions to all participants in pre-camp materials so you know exactly where to go and when to be there!
The following airport options are most convenient for the event location:
KORD - Chicago O'Hare International Airport: About 10 miles from facility.
KMDW - Chicago Midway International Airport: About 28 miles from facility.
If family member(s) would like to stay at our recommended hotel, we often organize a discounted rate. Family members are welcome to observe & participate at camp. We have a few sessions designed for family participation including the parent workshop and the recruiting panel However, it is totally optional -- only person that should be there is the athlete!
Players are welcome to travel to the EXACT camp without an accompanying family member. Players have the option to take our airport transit from the recommended airports listed above. This transit will take the athlete from airport to camp (and back to airport after camp ends). Try to book your flight to arrive at airport by 11am and departing flight after 8pm. If you need take earlier/later flights, just let us know -- we always accommodate!
In accordance with NCAA rules, EXACT camps are open to any and all that would like to attend, but may limit attendance based on several factors, such as age, number and grade level. Camp attendance at EXACT is never restricted by a camper's skill level or competitive experience.
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