Sophia Carbone

Nick Irwin joined the Portland State women's soccer coaching staff in January 2021 as the goalkeeper coach.   In his first season with the Vikings he led the efforts of sophomore goalkeeper Enya Hernandez who recorded 49 saves through eight matches.  A native of Portland Oregon, Irwin has been involved in the game at all levels. Most recently with the US youth national team, as an admin. He currently serves as the goalkeeper coach at F.C Portland. 

Former Maryland assistant coach and Terrapin goalkeeper Yewande Balogun joins the UC Davis womens soccer staff as an assistant coach for the 2019 season. I am so grateful and honored to have Yewande make this brave move across the country and join our staff, Hamm said. Her high-caliber playing experience and proven success as a collegiate goalkeeper coach will add depth and value to our program. Yewande is committed to the holistic growth of student-athletes, as well as her own professional development. I am thrilled to add her energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge to the Aggie family. Balogun spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach in charge of the goalkeepers at her alma mater, helping tutor Rachel Egyed to All-Big Ten honors in 2017 and 2018 the first-ever Maryland keeper to earn a spot on an All-Big Ten team. Egyed finished her career among the programs top 10 in both career goals against average (1.50) and saves (183), while Baloguns work with the defense helped the Terrapins cut their team goals allowed by more than half during her tenure, from 48 in 2016 down to 22 in 2018. Among her other coaching responsibilities, Balogun assisted with video analysis, organized and coordinated Maryland soccer summer camps and ID clinics, and helped coordinated the programs recruiting efforts, resulting in a top 25 freshman class in 2017 and a top 50 class in 2018. Along the lines of UC Davis own Aggie EVO program, Balogun created Marylands MenTERPship Program, which connected womens soccer student-athletes with the programs alumni to discuss academic and professional interests, potential career paths, and help with the transition from student-athlete to career life. I am so grateful to be a part of the Aggies women's soccer program and the UC Davis community, Balogun said. I am blessed to join an athletic department with such impressive leadership and  attentiveness to the full student-athlete experience.  Thank you to Coach Tracy Hamm for this incredible opportunity. Prior to her tenure at Maryland, Balogun oversaw the development of senior goalkeeper Charlene Belanger during her lone season as an assistant at American University in Washington, D.C., helping her make improvements in goals against (1.61), shutouts (three), and save percentage (.756), from the season prior. The Eagles advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2015 Patriot League Tournament and posted 14 student-athletes on the leagues academic honor roll. At the club level, Balogun was an assistant coach at the U15 and U16 levels with the Soccer Association of Columbia, an assistant coach with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Boys Olympic Development Program, and the Director of Goalkeeping with Maryland United FC. She also served as the operations manager for the former Maryland Capitols FC of the Womens Premier Soccer League. One of the most decorated goalkeepers in Maryland history, Balogun helped the Terrapins reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament twice in 2009 and 2011, as well as an appearance in the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference championship match, earning All-ACC Academic Team and all-tournament honors. As a freshman in 2007, Balogun was a SoccerBuzz Freshman All-American and was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team. She finished her career as the schools career leader in goals against average (0.93), was third in games started (64), sixth in saves (242), and tied for second in shutouts (19). She defeated seven ranked teams including four wins over top-10 teams, during her career. She also helped lead the Ottawa Fury of the W-League to the 2009 league semifinals and competed with the Washington Freedom W-League squad in 2010. In 2011, she was a member of the Chesapeake Charge in the WPSL, helping the team to an Open Cup finals appearance and a WPSL regional finals berth. As a prep, Balogun was one of the top goalkeeping recruits in the country out of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, helping lead the Raiders to a 4A class state championship. She was involved in the US National Team as a 2007 U-20 National Camp invitee and U-14 and U-17 national team pool member. She was a two-time NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-American and 2006 high school All-American. The Prince Georges County, Md., native holds a United States Soccer Federation D License and United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Level III Diploma, and is on track to earn her USSF C License in June of 2019. She earned her bachelors degree in marketing from Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business in 2011 and, later, earned her MBA in 2016.

Former Cal letter winner Rachel Mercik enters her first season on the UC Davis sidelines as a volunteer assistant in 2021. Mercik brings a wealth of experience to the Aggie program following a six-year professional career in Germany (FFC Turbine Potsdam from 2014-15), Sweden (Vittsjö GIK in 2016-17), and Cyprus (Apollon Ladies FC in 2018-19), helping lead the latter to a league championship and qualification into the UEFA Womens Champions League group stages in 2019. She was also a member of the U16 U.S. Youth National Team Camp in 2006-07, represented the United States as a member of the U18 U.S. Youth National Team in 2007 as part of a three-match friendly series in Argentina, was part of the U20 player pool in 2010, and attended United States U23 Team Camp in 2013. In addition to her stint as a volunteer assistant under head coach Neil McGuire in 2015, when she helped lead her alma mater to a 13-6-3 overall record and an NCAA Tournament berth, Mercik also has coaching experience with a number of club teams and academies all over the world, including the Walnut Creek Surf SC (2015), both the American Academy Private School and Lemasia Junior Academy in Cyprus during her time as a professional, and the Solano Surf SC. Mercik was also a head coach at the Bjärnums Skola during her time in Sweden, a program that was focused on teaching the fundamentals of the sport while unifying and integrating children from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and currently serves as a mentor with Female Footballers, helping young girls achieve higher playing levels and personal goals by focusing on the mental aspect of sports. A mainstay in the Golden Bears lineup from 2010-13, Mercik appeared in 75 matches over her four-year career, including serving as team captain during a senior season that saw her finish second on the team in goals scored (six), assists (four), and points (16). A Pac-12 Conference honorable mention selection that year, her golden goal at Stanford in the regular-season finale helped Cal to its first win over its rival in six years. During her time in Berkeley, Mercik helped lead the Golden Bears to a combined 48-23-14 overall record and four trips to the NCAA Tournament, including second-round appearances as a sophomore (2011) and junior (2012). The El Dorado Hills, Calif., native prepped at Oak Ridge HS, helping the Trojans to a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship in 2009 while leading the team in goals and assists and earning first-team all-league honors. She graduated from Cal with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on society and technology.

Danesha Adams joined the Pacific coaching staff in March of 2020 from the University of Houston, where she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In her time at Houston, Adams sparked major improvements on the offensive side of the ball with 29 goals and 23 assists for the Cougars during a 2017 season that saw two forwards earned All-AAC honors. As a recruiting coordinator, Adams created strong relationships both domestically and internationally. Adams went to UH after spending time at Villanova, where three student-athletes were named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team.  Adams enjoyed a stellar collegiate career, leading UCLA to four NCAA College Cups. She was a three-time Pac-10 Conference First Team selection, two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist and was a finalist for the Pac-10 Player of the Year. Adams also represented the US with the U-20 and U-23 Women's National Teams while in college, earning her first cap with the Women's National Team in 2006. Following a successful collegiate career at UCLA, Adams was selected as the sixth pick in the 2008 Women's Professional Soccer Supplemental Draft and played professionally from 2009-2010 with the Chicago Red Stars before joining the Philadelphia Independence from 2010-2012. Internationally, she played in Sweden and Turkey before joining Sky Blue FC of the NWSL from 2013-2014. In 2014-2015, Adams joined the NWSL's Washington Spirit and spent time on loan with Apollon Ladies in Cyprus. Following a season with Medkila IL Harstad in Norway in 2015, Adams retired from professional soccer and transitioned into the coaching profession.

CSUSB Athletics introduced Mark Peters as the next head coach of the women's soccer program in the summer of 2021.   Peters is an alum and has been involved with Yotes' soccer since 2009.  A Fontana native, Peters played three years of soccer at nearby Azusa Pacific (2005-07), then transferred to CSUSB and played for the Coyotes in 2009 for his senior campaign.   He spent three seasons as an assistant with men's program from 2010 to 2012 following his graduation with a degree in business management.  In 2013 he began a three-year stint with the women's program before rejoining the men's staff in 2016 and has been with them ever since.  He spent the 2019 season serving as an assistant coach on the bench for the men's and women's programs at CSUSB.   In his time with the Yotes Peters has been involved in every aspect of both programs including recruiting, on-field coaching, scouting, video editing, and all administrative duties.  He has no peers in his familiarity with CSUSB soccer over the past decade-plus.   Peters most recent stint on the men's side saw him as an integral part of their rise to their fifth-place national finish in 2019, the best season in program history and last in competition.  He was on staff when head coach Darren Leslie was named the 2018 CCAA Coach of the Year and has coached 14 All-CCAA honorees, four All-Region selections, and First Team All-American Frank Daroma. He was on staff with the women's program that won 12 games in 2013 and 14 in 2014, a program record that still stands.

Graduate Assistant Coach at Holy Names University. 

Mission Statement: To provide a learning environment for players to excel on and off the field. I am committed to player development and encourage each player to fully develop his / her talent to the highest level. In addition, it is my job to develop a soccer culture which venerates the values and spirit of The Game. I will provide an educational experience at the highest ethical and professional standards. I hope to integrate values and problems solving skills that will be utilized throughout the lives of these players! Coaching Credentials: Fiorentina Advanced Coaching Course 2019 Las Positas College Livermore, CA. Fiorentina Coaching Course Basic Berkeley CA. February 2017 FA Level 2 Walthamstow North London, England June 2016 FA Level 1 North Hertfordshire College Hitchin, England June 2015 London FA Member. June 2015 NFHS Coaching License Sacramento, CA. January 2008 Cal South Licensed Laguna Niguel, CA. July 2008 NSCAA Advanced National Resident Diploma Amherst College Amherst Mass. July 2007 NSCAA National Resident Diploma Amherst College Amherst Mass. July 2005 National D License University of Pacific Stockton, CA. June 2004 Manchester United Coaching Symposium New day York, New York. July 2003 Cal North License Pleasanton CA. June 2000 Fran Hoek Coaching Camp Level 2 Granite Bay, CA. May 1998 Coaching Experience: Folsom Lake Surf Club Coach and Club Trainer January 2020- Present Christian Brother Varsity / JV Women's Head Coach 2015- Present El Dorado Hills Soccer Club 08 Girls Gold Head Coach 2019 - Present El Dorado Hills Soccer Club Head Coach Girls Gold Team June 2019- Present El Dorado Hills Youth Soccer Club Professional Team Trainer (Joe Champion Soccer LLC) May 2011- Present Southend United Football Club. Southend on Sea England Academy Guest Coach August 2016 Natomas United Football Club Director of Coaches January 2016 - 2018 FC Elk Grove Head Coach U 11-13 Girls June 2012 -2014 Yuba College Assistant Head Coach Women's Soccer August 2009 -2011 Azzurri Soccer Club Head Coach U [14-16 Girls Yuba City, CA.](x-apple-data-detectors://3) May 2008 - 2010 St. Francis High School JV Head Coach Women's Soccer February 2008 - 2010 Cal North Coaching School Instructor 2005 - 2016. East Yolo Soccer Club U 8-16 Boys- Girls Soccer 1987 -2003 Playing Experience: Sacramento Adult Soccer League Sacramento Turn Verein / Atletico Cruz Azul 2004-Present River City United Men's competitive Soccer Club (CCSL) 1984-1989 River City Senior High School 1980- 1982 East Yolo United Futbol Club 1993 -2003