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 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. Recently, she graduated from NCSU and majored in Anthropology. She played professionally in the first season ever of the National Indoor Soccer League this past Winter with the Fayetteville Fury! Coach Anna’s hobbies include camping, hiking, and reading.

Coach Betsey was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina and attends North Carolina State University, where she is getting her M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. She previously graduated from North Carolina State University in May of 2019 with a B.S. in Sport Management. Coach Betsey has played soccer since she was a child, and began coaching in high school and continued through college. Coach Betsey is passionate about mentoring youth, and demonstrating the great values that sport can provide. In her spare time you will catch Coach Betsy at the dog park, eating pepperoni pizza or watching Marvel movies!

Coach Brandon was born and raised in Bear, DE before moving to Durham, NC when he was 8 years old. He has played soccer at a middle school and varsity level as a center defensive back. He majored in Sports Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has coached soccer at the varsity level at Emerson Waldorf School. When not coaching soccer, Brandon spends his time making music and producing for some of your favorite artists including: Playboi Carti, Migos, Young Thug, Travis Scott and more!

Coach Brendan was born and raised in Newton Grove, NC. He grew up playing soccer and played Varsity at South Johnston High School for 1 year. He is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Economics and Sport Administration. When he isn’t playing soccer, he enjoys playing basketball with his friends.

Coach Brittany was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She grew up playing soccer, from a young age, for the Richmond Strikers. Brittany graduated from Collegiate School and later played soccer at Elon University. She has coached young kids at soccer camps and older kids as a middle school and high school soccer coach. Coach Brittany enjoys spending time with her family in her free time.

Coach Carson was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up playing soccer and basketball. For fun, Coach Carson plays pick up basketball with his friends! He also enjoys spending time outside! He is currently working on his associates at Wake Tech and he plans to continue he education at NC State!

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 will be spending time with his wife and son as they attempt to complete DIY projects around their home!

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 Wake Forest, NC, and attended UNC-Chapel Hill where he studied Exercise and Sport Science. He started working with children 14 years ago and has coached several sports in that time including soccer and hockey. Cody is our Partner Services Coordinator, which means when he is not coaching, he is sending marketing emails, maintaining our social media accounts, and reaching out to potential new partners. When not kicking it out on Soccer Island, he loves playing guitar, camping, and spending time with his wife and new son.

Coach Cristian is an awesome addition to our Soccer Shots team! He is doing great coaching all of our 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 Daniella was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old, and she moved to the US when entering 10th grade. She loves soccer more than anything on earth; playing, coaching and watching. She began coaching during her junior year of high school, and has been doing it for 2 years now. She is currently a college student attending Meredith College, so whenever she is not coaching you will see her studying or at the gym working out.

Coach Drew is originally from the Raleigh area where he grew up as a player and referee for CASL. He then attended Appalachian State University where he graduated in 2017 with a degree in Political Science. After playing both outdoor and indoor soccer as an adult, he transitioned into coaching administration. As a USSF certified coach he currently follows his passion for soccer at the youth development level. In his free time he enjoys backpacking, cooking, reading, and most of all, playing SOCCER!

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 is originally from Fluvanna, Virginia where he lived most of his life. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2017 with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. After that, Coach Eric moved to Miami, FL for a bit before landing in Raleigh, NC. He plans to live here until his hair turns grey or until another location comes calling. He is a big Greenbay Packers fan and love soccer as well.

Coach Glendon (Glen) was born and raised on the sunny island of Jamaica, where he played high school soccer and ran track. Coach Glen attained a doctoral degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, where his dissertation/project concentrated on helping survivors of sexual abuse find healing. He is a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) Licensed Coach. Coach Glen is continuing his journey on the U.S. Soccer Coaching License Pathway where he is pursuing the USSF D License. Coach Glen has been working with children for over 12 years. He believes that children deserve to be loved unconditionally, be given all the opportunities to be the best they can be in life, and have fun. He currently lives with his wife and 3-year-old son, Caleb, in North Carolina. Coach Glen passionately supports FC Barcelona.

Coach Jacob was born in England, and moved to NC when he was four. He grew up watching and playing soccer with his friends and family. He attends Leesville Road High school and is preparing to go to college to major in business. In his free time he likes to go for walks in state parks and watching his favorite team Manchester United play on TV.

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 Julia was born in Manhattan, New York but was raised in Durham, North Carolina. She first played soccer when she was 4 years old and actually loved the game. She graduated from Riverside High School and is attending Wake Technical Community College for business. She just finished taking a real estate class and is now in the process of taking the state exam. In her free time, she loves to workout, go running, read, and watch movies.

Coach Julie was born in San Bernardino, California and moved to North Carolina when she was 8 years old. She is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in exercise science and kinesiology where she intends to be an athletic trainer. She grew up in a very athletic house hold where all of her siblings played either soccer, volleyball, or softball or all 3. She enjoys snuggles with her dog, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family.

Coach Kingsley was born in Germany. He graduated from high school in Rocky Mount, NC. He played collegiate soccer at Saint Francis University, PA while studying Communications and Spanish. He studied his MA in Sport and International Development at the University of Brighton in England. He enjoys spending time with friends, reading and going on adventures when he is not coaching.

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!

I was born in Long Island, New York. Been living In Raleigh since I was four, playing soccer the same time I moved into NC. I’ve been playing competitive soccer from the moment I stepped onto the field. A natural lefty that can play on the wing or in defense, I played my club ball with Triangle United Soccer Association, and my high school soccer at Sanderson High school. I played college Soccer at Mars Hill University (NCAA Div 2), Semi-Professional soccer for Moros FC (UPSL), and professional indoor soccer for the Fayetteville Fury (NISL). When I am not playing soccer, I am normally in the gym or boxing.

Coach Matthew was born and raised in Troutman, NC. He started playing soccer at the age of 5 and played intramural soccer at NCSU. Coach Matthew graduated from NC State (The Best College) with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a minor in Coaching Education. In his spare time, he hangs out with his fiancé, Lucy and his best paw friend Cash.

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 Rachel was born and raised in the Bay Area, California. She is a senior at Duke University studying engineering. She started playing soccer at 5 and played through high school. She loves skiing, running, and spending time with her friends.

Coach Thais (Coach T) was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, known as the country of Soccer and she has been living in the US for over 2 years now. She started playing soccer as soon as she could give her first steps and since then she never stopped. She graduated from a Public University in Brazil in 2018 with a degree in Physical Education where she also played soccer and handball in college tournaments. Coach T has a passion for children and being able to bring a positive impact to their development as a coach is a gift for her. In her free time Coach T loves practicing Crossfit, playing soccer with friends and hanging out with her family.

Coach Tyler was born and raised in Fontana,Ca. She has been active since she was 4, from playing soccer to training martial arts. For fun she love to listen to music, go on hikes with her dog, and spending time time with her family. She is working on her Associates degree at Wake Tech and plans to continue education at ECU.