Meet The Coaches

We are proud to have the best coaches in youth soccer.

Alex Russell

Alex Russell

Coach

Coach Alex is a Physical Education Major and Athletic Coaching Minor at Salisbury University. He plans to graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree in Spring 2024. Growing up in a British household, he has been a fan of the Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur team since he was old enough to kick a “futbol.” Coach Alex joined his first soccer team in 4th grade and has been involved in the sport ever since. He was an Assistant coach for the MSI Classic Division 1 travel soccer team “The Lightning Bolts,” which placed 2nd in the Division 1 Standing in 2015 and 1st Place as the Division 1 champion in 2016. Coach Alex is a caring leader who understands how age-appropriate sports activities in a safe and fun environment for children help them develop their confidence, grow skills that translate into soccer abilities, and teach good sportsmanship. He’s excited to have fun with his players this summer!

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Indian Food

Favorite Disney Character: Mushu from Mulan

Favorite Color: Navy Blue

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and Cream

Elli Strauss

Elli Strauss

Coach

Coach Elli has played soccer since she was just two years old. It has been a source of joy in her life for as long as she can remember and she wants to help introduce that joy to your children. She is a senior at Shippensburg University studying Psychology and History, hoping to make a difference in people’s lives after attending Graduate School. Coach Elli has worked with kids for years in many different aspects and looks forward to having a positive impact on your children’s first experiences on the field.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Chinese Food

Favorite Disney Character: Pumbaa from The Lion King

Favorite Color: Yellow

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip

Aubrey Brown

Aubrey Brown

Coach

Coach Aubrey grew up in the Chambersburg/Saint Thomas area. He played collegiate soccer at Mount Aloysius college, graduating with a degree in psychology. Post graduation he has worked as a youth director and spent a few years in the mental health field. He also has been an assistant coach for the James Buchanan High school boys soccer team for the past 5 years. Coach Aubrey looks forward to providing a positive environment where kids can learn to love the game of soccer and grow in character and ability.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Crab Legs

Favorite Disney Character: Tarzan

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Raspberry

Andrew Cooper

Andrew Cooper

Coach

Coach Andrew grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs playing soccer. He continued his soccer career at Lebanon Valley College as a 4 year starter. After college, Andrew remained involved in the soccer community while coaching in PA and CO. He is a passionate supporter of Manchester United and works remotely from Gettysburg as a business analyst. He looks forward to getting involved in his local Gettysburg community by working as a Soccer Shots Coach!

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: BBQ

Favorite Disney Character: Maui from Moana

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Kourtney Wells

Kourtney Wells

Coach

Coach Kourtney started playing soccer when she was three years old playing up through freshman year of high school and then being the manager of her team the other three years. She is a graduate of Stevenson University playing soccer recreationally while she was there. After graduation she joined an indoor rec soccer league. Outside of soccer she has worked with children in daycare and school environments with her career goal being to work in pediatric medicine. She looks forward to bringing together her passion for soccer and working with children while hoping to instill a few lessons and show how fun playing soccer can truly be.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Pasta con Broccoli

Favorite Disney Character: Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Bri Cole

Bri Cole

Coach

Coach Bri has been playing soccer since 3 or 4 years old. She played throughout high school and has been refereeing soccer for about 6 years. Coach Bri is enrolled at Shippensburg University as an Education and Spanish major. She loves the sport and is so excited to teach the new generation of soccer players.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Soup

Favorite Disney Character: Merida From Brave

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip

Wesley Winner

Wesley Winner

Coach

Coach Wesley started playing soccer in Middle School. When visiting places outside of the United States, he has always found that soccer is a unifying language. Even if you don’t speak the same language with someone else, soccer is a language that is understood everywhere. Wesley has a 3 year old who loves Soccer Shots, and he wants to be a part of the organization because of the positive experience that his family had with Soccer Shots. Coach Wesley has worked with kids for years in many different aspects including Youth Group, Summer Camps, Mission Trips, and Foster Care. His intention is to give children a great experience with soccer and teaching them a team activity, maybe for the first time.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Mexican Food – TACOS

Favorite Disney Character: Simba from The Lion King

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookie Dough

Ruthanna Gordon

Ruthanna Gordon

Coach

Coach Roo is from Harrisburg, PA and played soccer from the time she was 5 up until Middle School. She’s currently a Senior at Shippensburg University studying Communications along with a minor in Marketing. In her free time she likes cooking, spending time in nature, and hanging out with friends and family! Coach Roo is also part of our Digital-Marketing team. She is looking forward to a fun-filled Spring season!

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Tacos!

Favorite Disney Character: Cinderella

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Vasia Balafoutas

Vasia Balafoutas

Coach

Coach Vasia has 12 years of experience with both school and travel soccer teams. She has a love for the game of soccer and a passion for teaching. Coach Vasia is looking forward to serving your children this season with patience and skill, and is super excited to share her knowledge and support with your family.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Disney Movie: Tangled

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Kayla Richards

Kayla Richards

Coach

Coach Kayla has been playing soccer since she was 2 years old and currently plays at Wilson College. She’s a Sports Management major hoping to work in Sports Marketing after she graduates. Soccer has been a big part of Coach Kayla’s life and she has made many friends along the way. Coach Kayla is super excited to leave a positive impact on the kids this upcoming season like her coaches did for her.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Disney Character: Stitch from Lilo and Stitch

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cotton Candy

Employment Opportunities

If you have a passion for positively impacting youth through sports, visit our employment portal to view Soccer Shots job opportunities.