Austin, TX

A long-time member of the Positive Coaching Alliance (Stanford University), Eddie Russ started Soccer Shots in Central Texas in 2007 with the goal of using the game of soccer to teach children lifelong lessons, including positive attitude, enthusiasm, listening skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and creativity. Eddie grew up in Chicago where he was an all-league soccer and basketball player in high school. He went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with a degree in psychology. Eddie has extensive teaching and coaching experience as a varsity soccer coach for eight years and a high school basketball coach for thirteen years. He also taught high school English for twelve years, and was the former Director of Athletics at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, TX and at the Drew School in San Francisco, CA. He lives in Central Austin with his wife and two children.

Laura’s love of soccer ignited in Virginia during middle and high school. She captained her school teams five of six years while playing forward or outside defender before settling in at center midfielder.  She continued on to play intramural in college and still plays weekly in the Austin Women’s Soccer League. Called to impact youth, Coach Laura earned degrees from the University of Virginia and North Carolina Central University. She then taught kindergarten through fifth grades in North Carolina and Texas.  She also brings experience as a curriculum developer and educational consultant.  She began coaching soccer and swimming during college and has coached Austin youth for over ten years. She enjoys mentoring fellow coaches and thrives through the smiles shared with children as they build confidence, friendships and fun!

Arianne has over 20 years of soccer experience! Hailing from the DFW area, she started playing select for FC Dallas Youth, then IM while in college, and in Paris, France for the SciencesPo women's team. Her favorite position is forward because she loves the challenge of scoring goals. She received her degree in International Relations and French from UT and fell in love with the city as a Longhorn. She started coaching kids while in high school through tennis clinics and as a volunteer rec soccer coach. Arianne also served as a camp counselor, childcare supervisor, and AmeriCorps literacy instructor for AISD. Her favorite part about working with children is their unfailing ability to find fun and joy in the smallest things. Arianne loves the vibrancy and culture of Austin. In addition to playing soccer, you can find her playing tennis, paddle boarding, reading, and volunteering. Fun Facts: Coach Arianne checked off an item on her bucket list by attending a European soccer match for PSG and seeing Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action! And her best friend is her pup, Eleanor Rigby.

Coach Henry is originally from Minnesota and has over 20 years of soccer experience, having played through high school on an academy team and at the club level in college. In addition to his extensive playing background, Coach Henry has been coaching soccer for over 4 years, working with kids of all ages. He also holds certifications in rowing coaching and personal training. Outside of soccer, Coach Henry enjoys rock climbing, weightlifting, and reading, and he’s a big fan of breakfast tacos and dark chocolate. Fun fact: He’s canoed the full length of the Mississippi River and spent 6 months living the van life!

Coach Joe comes to us from California playing soccer since he was 8 years old! He’s really excited to start coaching and bring the excitement and love of the game to our Central Texas families. While Coach Joe played competitively throughout middle and high school, he now just likes to play for fun. His favorite positions are right and left wing and supports FC Barcelona! Fun Fact: Coach Joe loves to go backpacking through the backcountry!

Kait brings to our team years of childcare experience, humor, and enthusiasm! She grew up playing a variety of sports including soccer, softball, and running track. Originally from Abilene, TX, Kait has nannied for several families, coached little kiddos, and enjoys positively impacting everyone around her! In addition to her passion for teaching children, she also loves music, film, and food! Fun Fact: Coach Kait loves to laugh and is an aspiring drummer!

Coach Graham hails from Chelsea, Michigan and started playing soccer at just 3 years old! He continued through high school, playing with a competitive travel team and various pick-up teams. Now, he still gets out on the field with friends and adds basketball, hiking, camping, skiing, and snowboarding as other hobbies to be outside and healthy. His favorite part about working with children is how funny they are and the silly jokes they make, and the unique perspective they bring to life each day. He’s excited to join the Soccer Shots team and as a Coach, he hopes to gain a feeling of purpose within the Austin community and for the children. Fun Facts: Coach Graham loves to travel: He has been to more than seven different countries and lived the van life up and down the West Coast!

Coach Josue was born in Mexico and grew up in Texas before moving to Austin. He has been playing soccer his whole life with almost 20 years of experience, and he has played almost every position on the field except for goalkeeper. He has been coaching competitive soccer for about three years now, but his favorite part of coaching the younger kids is how much fun they have playing the game! Coach Josue loves traveling and cooking, and he is a big Texas Longhorns fan. Fun Facts: Coach Josue’s friends back home call him “Chivita” because of his affinity for Chivas FC!

Coach Sam joins our team from Midland, Texas. He started playing soccer at a young age, and continued all the way through middle school. Coach Sam's favorite positions to play were striker and goalie, and now he likes to stay active with running and playing pickup sports. Fun Facts: Coach Sam plays the guitar and loves to travel.

Coach Jordi is a passionate soccer enthusiast with a strong background in the sport. Having played for 19 years, including stints with local clubs and high school teams, Jordi brings a wealth of experience to Soccer Shots. While new to coaching, he's eager to share his love of the game with young athletes and create a positive and engaging learning environment. 

Fun Fact: Jordi is an avid Austin F.C. fan and has only missed one home game in four seasons!

Coach Katie is a local educator with a passion for sharing her love of sports with young children. Growing up in Houston, Coach Katie developed a strong appreciation for physical activity and has since played softball at a competitive level. With experience student teaching PE at an elementary school, Coach Katie is well-equipped to create a fun and engaging learning environment for young athletes. She is excited to inspire the next generation of soccer players and help them develop their skills while building confidence and making new friends. Fun fact: Coach Katie is a skilled boulderer and can also do the worm!

Coach Leya is a local Austin resident with a passion for soccer and working with children. She began her soccer journey at the tender age of 3, playing club and travel soccer until she was 13. As a midfielder, Leya developed a strong understanding of the game and a love for the sport. With over 8 years of experience working with children, Coach Leya brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role at Soccer Shots. She particularly enjoys watching young players discover the world around them and build their confidence. Her prior experience working with kids has equipped her with the skills to create a fun and engaging learning environment for all. 

Fun Fact: Coach Leya was born in Russia and adopted at 14 months old! She also has a student pilot certification and 110 hours of flight time towards her Private Pilots License.

Coach Alex is an Austin Native who loves being outside, making music and attending Austin FC matches!

Coach Joaquin, “Coach J” is a native Texan! Bored and raised in Austin. He really enjoys that there are so many adventures left and right here in Austin that he can explore. He has been playing since the age of 5 to currently. Coach J played for Westlake Liverpool, Capacity, and currently plays soccer for his high school as an outside back. He has a real love for soccer! Coach J also enjoys building legos on his free time! He hopes to impact the soccer youth of Austin positively while having lots of fun teaching children soccer. Fun Facts: Coach J is left handed and he can speak a bit of Spanish!

Originally from College Station, Coach Mycah has been playing for the better part of 14 years, on club, school, and college teams. Her favorite position is striker and racking up those goals! In addition to her extensive time on the field, she also brings 5 years of coaching experience and 3 years as a nanny. While injuries eventually took her off the field, she never lost the love of the game and now shares that love of soccer with her students. Coach Mycah has been enjoying her time in Austin with its excellent balance of city life and nature and the never-ending list of things to do. As a Soccer Shots coach, she loves the challenge of figuring out how to make a child smile and looks forward to helping children grow in their athletic abilities and confidence and to spread her love for the game to the next generation.  Fun Facts: Coach Mycah is working towards a Master's Degree in counseling and is ambidextrous!

Coach Zach's passion for soccer started at the young age of four years old up in his hometown just outside of Washington, D.C. He later progressed to the club level, continuing through high school, and later found himself on the Indiana University Men's club team. He was partial to orchestrating the plays as a center mid or back wing. Currently, Coach Zach continues to stay active in a variety of sports from soccer, skiing, and snowboarding, to running and kickball as well. There probably isn't a sport Coach Zach hasn't already tried! He has previous experience as a summer camp counselor where his mom worked as a montessori teacher and camp director. It was at these camps that he discovered his love for working with kids, and what eventually led him to Soccer Shots. His favorite part about working with youth is building relationships and helping them learn the foundations of emotional intelligence, all while working on it himself in the process. He hopes to bring the same impact as a

El Paso native Coach Ashanti brings a vibrant energy and love for working with kids to Soccer Shots! While she may not have a background playing soccer, her athletic spirit shines through her love of softball, pickleball, and basketball. As a UT Austin Longhorn band member (playing the clarinet!), Coach Ashanti enjoys keeping things lively both on and off the field. She has experience coaching middle school basketball, and finds pure joy in seeing her players happy and reaching their goals. Get ready for a coach who fosters teamwork and fun, all while encouraging a love for the outdoors (when she's not busy making music, that is!).

Fun fact: Coach Ashanti comes from a big family of 5 siblings – she's a natural with kids!

Coach Cody grew up in Austin and loves that there is always something to do in town! They have over 9 years of experience playing soccer for club and rec teams, and Coach Cody even played with Soccer Shots when they were in Pre-K! They hope to gain leadership experience through coaching children and trying something new! Fun Facts: Coach Cody has 2 English Mastiffs and loves changing their hair color!

Coach Gael brings a strong foundation in soccer to the team, having played for a total of 13 years. Starting young in Puerto Rico, he honed his skills as a striker and attacking midfielder through club teams and continued playing through middle and high school in Austin for Lone Star and his school team. Beyond soccer, Coach Gael enjoys staying active with basketball and Muay Thai classes. While Coach Gael may not have formal coaching experience yet, his passion for working with kids shines through. He volunteered at a children's museum and participated in a program that sent him to elementary schools as a teen teacher. He thrives on keeping things fun and engaging, making learning a positive experience for young players. Fun Facts: Coach Gael is fluent in Spanish and actually learned English from watching Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon!

Coach Holly is a seasoned soccer player with nearly two decades of experience on the field. She's passionate about sharing her love of the sport with young athletes and creating a positive and inclusive coaching environment. As a former varsity soccer player and current participant in travel leagues, Coach Holly brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role. Fun Fact: Coach Holly is a type 1 diabetic and had never been to Texas before moving to Austin!

Coach Lester brings a wealth of soccer experience to Soccer Shots, having played for 12 years, including time at the University of Havana. As a versatile player who has excelled in various defensive positions, Coach Lester understands the importance of strong fundamentals and tactical awareness. While Coach Lester doesn't hold any formal coaching certifications, his passion for the game and his experience playing at a high level make him a valuable asset to our team. Coach Lester is also fluent in Spanish and enjoys sharing his love of soccer with young athletes from diverse backgrounds. Beyond his soccer skills, Coach Lester is an avid baseball fan and enjoys exploring the rivers and lakes of Austin. 

Fun fact: Despite his Cuban roots, Coach Lester is not a fan of coffee or cigars!

Coach Lauren brings 13 years of soccer experience as a D1 Prime midfielder at Town and Country to the field. This lifelong Austinite is passionate about sharing her love for the game and fostering creativity in young athletes. While this is her first official coaching role, Coach Lauren has 4 years of experience babysitting, where she enjoys the fun and energetic nature of working with kids. Off the field, you might find Coach Lauren cheering, hitting the gym, or exploring new places (her favorite so far: Costa Rica!). Fun fact: she's both swum with dolphins and cuddled cows - talk about a well-rounded animal lover!

Coach Lucas is originally from Miami, and since moving to Austin has come to love how calm his new city is in comparison. He bring to the team 16 years of soccer experience, and has played at almost every level from rec to club, and now to the collegiate level at Southwestern! Coach Lucas worked at a summer camp geared towards keeping young kids active, and loved to teach them new vocabulary and play sports with them! In addition, he trained his little brother and his friends to help them better their soccer skills. When not playing soccer or coaching, Coach Lucas likes to hit the gym and do yoga. Fun Facts: Coach Lucas can speak 4 languages and would one day love to own and supply a farm-to-table restaurant!

Coach Lyla is a long-time Austinite with a passion for working with young children. With experience coaching swim and working in a first-grade classroom, Coach Lyla brings a strong understanding of child development and a commitment to creating a positive and supportive learning environment. She is excited to share her love of sports with the young athletes at Soccer Shots and help them develop their skills while having fun. Fun fact: Coach Lyla used to live in Hawaii and can understand American Sign Language!

Coach Maddie is originally from California, but moved to Austin at a young age. She loves downtown and going out to Town Lake and exploring! She has played soccer and swam competitively since ages 4 and 5, respectively. She played varsity soccer all four years of high school, mainly as an outside back. When not playing soccer, swimming, or coaching, Coach Maddie likes to hit the gym, read, and go to coffee shops! She has around 5 years of experience babysitting and even works at a daycare between semesters at Texas State. Her favorite part of working with kids is seeing the light they have in their eyes, especially when it comes to soccer. Coach Maddie says she remembers the light she had, herself, when she started playing and wants to give that back to the children she coaches!
 Fun Facts: Coach Maddie’s favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse and she loves to read (especially if it’s The Hunger Games)!

Coach Michel is one of our most veteran coaches, joining the Austin team back in 2014! The joy and life they bring to each session makes such an impact on the kids, parents, and coaches that they work with. (You might find yourself in multiple dance parties during your child's soccer session.) As such, they are also one of our coach trainers, supporting our newer instructors to be the best they can be. Their favorite part about working with kids is that they bring them back to the truth of their own child self; children remind them of how safe it is to trust life and be your fully-expressed self. Coach Michel got their soccer start on the elementary school playground as a Kindergartener in Converse kicks. They continue to play recreationally, driven to developing their skill, staying active, and having fun. They love Austin for its unassuming and laidback energy, and that it has nearly everything in life to enjoy.

Coach Mikayla brings a decade of experience as a goalkeeper to Soccer Shots! Growing up in Pearland, Texas, she played club soccer and donned the jersey of the Lady Oilers in high school. When not stopping goals, Mikayla enjoys cooking and ultimate frisbee. Coaching isn't new to Coach Mikayla. She led her high school's summer soccer camp, and her favorite part? Using creativity and games to make learning fun for her players. Fun fact: Coach Mikayla isn't just a soccer whiz, she's also a puzzle master, having conquered a 3,000-piece puzzle!

*Photo Coming Soon!* Coach Noor is a local taekwondo expert with a passion for sharing her skills with young athletes. While she may not have extensive soccer experience, her background in competitive sports and coaching makes her a valuable addition to our team. Coach Noor's enthusiasm for helping children develop their athletic abilities and her positive energy are sure to create a fun and engaging learning environment. Fun Fact: Coach Noor once lived in Madrid, Spain, and is a huge fan of FC Barcelona!

Coach Noreen is a passionate soccer enthusiast with a strong background in the sport. She began playing soccer at the age of 8 and continued to play throughout her high school years at Hendrickson High School, where she excelled as a forward. Noreen also gained valuable experience playing for the Galaxy soccer club. Coach Noreen is eager to share her love of soccer with young athletes and create a fun and engaging learning environment. While she may be new to coaching, her enthusiasm and dedication are sure to make a positive impact on her players. Fun Facts: Coach Noreen is a seasoned traveler, having recently completed a remarkable journey through eight European countries in just 23 days. She is also a talented pianist, having studied the instrument for six years.

Coach Rayna hails from Austin and loves the city’s atmosphere. Starting at the age of 5, and even playing two years for Michigan, she is an avid soccer player and athlete. Coach Rayna enjoys swimming and biking and has experience coaching and working with kids through coaching her younger brother’s baseball team. She loves how excited children are to learn and the opportunity she has to help them grow.

Fun Facts: Coach Rayna loves to travel with the dream of one day living in Europe, and her favorite baseball team is the Houston Astros!

Cedar Park native Coach Regan returns to Soccer Shots after starting her own soccer journey here as a child! A lefty forward with 14 years of experience, Coach Regan honed her skills at Lonestar and Town and Country Soccer Clubs, as well as on her middle school team. But her talents extend beyond the field. A talented artist and actress with a passion for learning, Coach Regan finds joy in drawing, performing (she's been in over 13 musicals!), and even Alzheimer's research! Get ready for a coach who fosters teamwork and a love for the game, all while keeping things fun and creative! 

Fun fact: Coach Regan once swallowed a quarter...we're glad she's okay and ready to share her passion for soccer!

Coach Ryleigh joins or team from south Houston, and now lives in San Marcos and attends Texas State University! Her favorite part of living in the area is the environment - an on-campus river and all different types of people. Coach Ryleigh has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She played for her high school and for club teams as a center back. Coach Ryleigh also has experience playing basketball, tennis, and running track, and she currently plays club volleyball for Texas State! She has coached soccer during the summer for kids ages 4-15 and has also coached middle school volleyball. Her favorite part of working with kids is getting to know each of their personalities! Fun Facts: Coach Ryleigh is a fraternal twin, and she has a bionic knee as a result of a knee surgery and 3 ACL surgeries!

Coach Stone is originally from Dallas, but since moving to Austin has loved all of the different activities that are available! He has played soccer since he was 3 years old primarily as a winger/forward, and has played for some prestigious programs over the years including Borussia Dortmund’s ECNL Academy and the Olympic Development Program’s North Texas State team! Coach Stone was also a youth leader at his church for children K-5th grade, and his favorite part about working with kids is their eagerness to learn. In addition to playing soccer and coaching, Coach Stone likes to dance, hike, play volleyball, skate, and do jujitsu.

Fun Facts: Coach Stone has a dream to visit every national park and has a golden retriever puppy named Olive who joins him on all of his hikes!

Coach Sumoni grew up in San Diego, California and lived there for 14 years before moving to Austin! Her favorite part about living in Austin is all of the different lakes and trails that can be found around the city. She has been playing soccer for about 3 years now as a midfielder and a forward. While new to coaching, Coach Sumoni is looking forward to making a lasting individual impact on all of her kids! Fun Facts: Coach Sumoni loves to sing and has run 5 half marathons! Wow!

Coach Taha is an Austin native whose love for soccer began at five years old. While this is his first official coaching role, Coach Taha brings his experience playing club and high school ball to the field. He's particularly excited to share his passion with young athletes, and is drawn to their infectious energy and the fun they bring to the game. An active guy himself (hiking, weightlifting, boxing!), Coach Taha is looking forward to learning alongside the kids and creating a positive learning environment. When not on the field, you might find him exploring Austin's food scene (seafood!), cheering for Liverpool or the Phoenix Suns, or reminiscing about his childhood farm with sheep, chickens, and pigeons!

Fun Facts: Coach Taha is originally from Iraq, and his favorite move is Holes!

Coach V is an avid soccer, Austin, and LEGO fan! She was born and raised here in the city and started her soccer journey at just a wee three years old. Her family was actively involved in her youth development as she progressed through rec and club leagues and later onto her high school team as a midfielder and defender. In addition to soccer, you can find her playing both sand and indoor volleyball. Coach V has been around children her whole life and involved in coaching youth sports for over 8 years. She also babysits and was part of the PALS program while at school. As a Soccer Shots coach, she hopes to build upon important life skills like patience, responsibility, and having a strong work ethic, and to add to her experience in coaching and impacting young athletes.  Fun Facts: Coach V loves to bake, cook, and build LEGO sets!

Austin native Coach Zach brings a lifelong love of soccer (starting at age 3!) and a passion for fun to Soccer Shots. While new to coaching officially, Coach Zach's enthusiasm for life and experience working with children make him a great fit. Besides soccer, he enjoys running, playing music (and even writing it!), and reading. Fun fact: Coach Zach is a multi-talented performer! He can juggle and even play the flute while beatboxing!