Meet The Coaches

Coach Abby was born and raised in Wake Forest, NC. She has been playing soccer since she was 5 and volunteering as a coach since she was a freshman in college. She graduated from Barton College in May 2021 with a degree in Graphic Design, playing college soccer competitively for 3 years. Coach Abby had the opportunity to play soccer in Sweden in middle school which was one of her most memorable experiences. She loves spending time with friends and family, traveling, playing soccer, and creating art.

Coach Aggie has been playing soccer since she could walk, and she wouldn’t want it any other way! Born and raised in Charlotte, Coach Aggie had amazing opportunities to grow as an athlete, teammate and friend. She played for Myers Park High School and the Charlotte Soccer Academy all through high school, and continues to play as a student on the NC State Women’s Club Soccer Team today. Coach Aggie is passionate about her community and making a difference to those around her, especially developing youth trying to find their passions.

Coach Ann was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and has been playing soccer for 12 years. She played for CASL since she was 6 years old and played Varsity for Sanderson High School for 4 years. She plays midfield and defense but her favorite soccer position is left defensive back. She is a Psychology major at Wake Technical Community College studying abnormal and developmental psychology. When not playing soccer, Coach Ann likes backpacking on trails all over North Carolina or playing basketball and tennis with her friends.

Coach Anna was born and raised in Wooster, Ohio. She has been playing soccer since she was 3 and coaching since she was a freshman in high school. She graduated from Urbana University May 2017 with a degree in Sports Management, playing college soccer all 4 years. Coach Annalise had the opportunity to attend the Women’s World Cup in Canada 2015, which was one of her most memorable experiences. She loves spending time with friends and family, going to the beach, playing soccer, skiing, hiking, and watching the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Coach Anna was born and raised in Waxhaw, NC. She loves to be outside and has been playing the sport since she was 6 years old, she played soccer for her first two years of college at Catawba College. Currently, she is attending NCSU in the Anthropology Department. Coach Anna’s hobbies include camping, hiking, reading, or going on vacation.

Coach Chris has been playing soccer almost as long as he’s been walking! He has competed in soccer tournaments all over the world, and has managed to score goals in four different countries. Coach Chris enjoys sharing his passion for soccer with our Soccer Friends. When he’s not teaching, Coach Chris has his nose buried in a calculus book, probably trying to determine the rate of acceleration needed to score a goal from midfield.

Coach Claire was born in Colorado and raised on military bases across the country. She has played soccer since she was 2 years old. She attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, for Environmental Science and Religious Studies, playing on the college Lacrosse team, and also playing for a local volleyball league. Coach Claire enjoys sharing her passion for sports and athletics with anyone she can, especially her friends! In her free time, she enjoys listening to and playing music, writing stories, and watching professional sports!

Coach Cody grew up in the Triangle and played Soccer with CASL and his high school. He studied Exercise and Sport Science at UNC Chapel Hill and has coached various youth sports including Soccer and Hockey. In his free time, he likes backpacking and playing guitar with friends.

Coach Cullen is originally from Buffalo, NY and has been playing soccer all of his life. He has been coaching soccer since the age of 14, both casually and competitively. For the rare occasions that Coach Cullen is away from Soccer Island, you can find him creating digital illustrations and designs!

Coach Darrius is from Greenville, NC. Coach Darrius began playing soccer when he got to high school, and describes it as “the best decision I made in a long time”. He made amazing memories playing soccer, and also participated in track where he made conference and regionals. Coach Darrius graduated college with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. When he isn’t playing or coaching sports he is playing video games, working out or watching tv.

Coach Dylan loves soccer!  Since he was 8 months old he was dribbling the soccer ball and since he was 4 years old he has been playing soccer competitively.  After playing all through high school and finishing his last youth season, he decided to try his talents at coaching. With the help of his mentor, Daryl Topalian, he now coaches an U8 Youth team and plans to get all possible coaching licenses! He hopes to eventually coach his own U13 team.  His passion for children and youth sports is what he thinks will help pave a way to completing his dream.

Coach Eric played 13 years of soccer growing up and throughout high school. He grew up in Virginia and recently moved to North Carolina. He went to college at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, and studied professional writing. Coach Eric enjoys staying inside most days, but loves to go out and explore all areas around Holly Springs.

Coach Glendon (Glen) was born and raised in Jamaica. Having traveled between Jamaica and the United States for a number of years for college and summer vacations, he recently moved to North Carolina with his wife and 22-month-old son. Coach Glendon played high school soccer and ran track for York Castle High School and organized soccer for his community’s club in Jamaica. He is an avid sports fan. He loves soccer and passionately supports FC Barcelona. Coach Glendon has been working with children for over 10 years. He firmly believes that children deserve to be loved and given all the opportunities to be the best they can be in life.

Coach Jacklynn is from a small town in upstate New York. Coach Jacklynn moved to North Carolina for a pediatric nursing job at UNC. Jacklynn (Jackie) played soccer since she was 5 years old and played for St. John Fisher College. Following college she was an assistant coach for her varsity girls soccer team back home. In her free time she enjoys to travel, go to the beach and hangout with friends.

Coach Janay was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. She’s been running track since high school and into the collegiate level at UNC Pembroke, as a quarter miler and 800 runner. She coached youth track and field with Port City Track & Field Club in Wilmington, North Carolina and was apart of the Soccer Shots Charlotte, NC. Coach Janay loves to read, spend time outdoors, and to help empower youth and women.

Coach Lauren is originally from Chapel Hill, NC, and started playing soccer at the age of four. She played club soccer for 9 years, and high school soccer. Soccer has always been a large part of her life, and she enjoys playing for fun now. Coach Lauren is currently at UNC Chapel Hill studying Psychology and Exercise and Sport Science. In her free time she loves to run, play with her pets, and be outside. When she is not coaching, you can find her at the beach, which is her favorite place to go.

Coach Marissa/MJ was born in Philadelphia, PA and began playing for the local Boys and Girls Club team at the age of 7. She is a recent graduate of the 2021 class at UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in International Studies and Sociology. Coach MJ has a passion for children; this combined with her love for soccer, create the perfect blend of a coach!

Coach Mohamad was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is an Engineering student currently at Wake Tech. He has been playing soccer since he was 7 and played for his high school team. Coach Mohamad has also participated in an official Real Madrid C.F. training camp where he was coached by the Real Madrid coaches in the club’s training grounds in Madrid, Spain! He organized and managed soccer games for kids and played a soccer game refereed by FIFA official referee Mark Klattenburg. Coach Mohamad has been a huge Manchester United fan (the biggest club in the world) ever since he was 8. In his free time, Coach Mohamad plays soccer, watches soccer, and makes time for a workout.

Coach Molly has been playing soccer since she was just six years old! She’s played all positions, but her favorite is definitely center mid-field. She was born in Chicago, IL and moved to North Carolina for college. She is a recent graduate from NC State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and minors in Psychology and Sports Science. Coach Molly loves interacting with kids and can’t wait to teach them her love of the game!

Coach Sarah grew up in Durham NC, and played soccer from age 3 to 18. She studied Exercise Science at App State where she found her love for teaching/coaching exercises and sports. Coach Sarah has done it all from rock climbing to swimming, and weight training. Whenever there’s a sunny day you can find her outside in nature or just going for a run.

Coach Ty was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has played soccer since the age of 4. He attended Knightdale High School and went on to study at North Carolina State University. Coach Ty has returned to Soccer Shots after traveling and living for a year in Australia and is very excited to be back!

Coach Yousif was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. He loves the game of soccer and has been playing since he was 3. He has played competitively since he was 10 years old for different clubs in the Triangle and for his high school team. Coach Yousif currently attends NCSU. He loves watching the EPL in his free time.