Washington Spirit Academy – VA unveils 2018-2019 coaching staff

Boyds, MD (Via Washington Spirit) – Washington Spirit Academy – Virginia has finalized its coaching staff for the 2018-2019 U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy season.

Along with the previously announced Lisa Cole – a former National Women’s Soccer League head coach with extensive experience at the pro and college levels – next season’s coaching staff will feature four more new members.

Spirit Academy – VA director Tom Torres has added Jane Dawber, Spencer Henderson, Zach Roszel and Kristi Beckman to the staff as the program expands to provide development opportunities for more age groups.

+READ: Lisa Cole joins Washington Spirit as Academy coach, pro team scout

The Spirit Academy – Virginia coaching staff will also return former U.S. Women’s National Team player Lori Lindsey, Holly Wiles, Lyndse Hokanson and George Hales.

“After the inaugural year of the Development Academy, we are thrilled to move into year two with added experience and overall perspective of youth development,” Torres said. “Our first year staff did a fantastic job of creating our initial culture and training environment, and I am looking forward to continuing to build on it.”

Dawber, who holds UEFA and U.S. Soccer National Youth Licenses, will manage the Spirit Academy U-9 through U-12 age groups as part of the newly-created GFR Spirit program. GFR Spirit is a partnership between the Spirit and Great Falls – Reston Soccer Club, which will offer high level training and competitive environments while playing in the Virginia National Premier League (NPL).

Henderson will serve as a head coach in the Spirit Academy – VA program, bringing extensive experience in the top levels of youth soccer. He joins the Spirit after coaching with McLean Youth Soccer, leading teams in their Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and Club Champions League (CCL) programs. He holds a U.S. Soccer National Youth License and NSCAA Premier Diploma.

Roszel, a former standout goalkeeper for Radford University, will enter the role of Goalkeeper Coach for all Spirit Academy – Virginia teams. Roszel has provided independent goalkeeper coaching through his company, ZAR Soccer Academy, and has coached at the club level, including locally with Fauquier County SC and Lee Mt. Vernon SC.

Beckman is a former assistant coach for the University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV)

women’s soccer team and has established herself a successful youth coach in the D.C. area. Beckman has coached at the college, high school and club level with both girls and boys teams, including with NOVA Community College, Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) and CD Hylton High School.

The overall Spirit Academy staff features a total of seven coaches with professional playing or coaching experience:

• Overall Academy Technical Director – Jim Gabarra, former U.S. Men’s National Team member and 1988 Olympian
• Overall Academy Technical Advisor – Briana Scurry, former U.S. Women’s National Team member, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 1999 World Cup Champion
• Academy Director – Baltimore – Santino Quaranta, former U.S. Men’s National Team member and forward for D.C. United, LA Galaxy, and NY/NJ Metrostars
• Academy Director – Virginia – Tom Torres, 9-year veteran of D.C. United Academy with time spent as assistant for D.C. United U23 team and MLS team. Current Assistant Coach with the NWSL team
• Academy Head Coach – Virginia – Lisa Cole, original National Women’s Soccer League head coach with the Boston Breakers
• Academy Assistant Coach – Virginia – Holly Wiles, former U.S. Women’s National Team member
• Academy Speed and Conditioning Coach – Virginia – Lori Lindsey, former U.S. Women’s National Team member and captain of the Washington Spirit NWSL

A full list of the club’s 2018-2019 coaching assignments will be posted soon on WashingtonSpirit.com/DA.