Melissa grew up in Cave Creek, Arizona. She played club soccer for Sereno Soccer Club, and played on US youth national teams from U14 through U17. Melissa played collegiate soccer at the University of North Carolina and at Penn State, and played professionally for one season in Madrid for Torrejon FC.

Melissa’s favorite soccer memory took place her sophomore year of college. It was the first round of the NCAA tournament. Penn State had dominated the whole game, but they were down 1-0 with only minutes left to play. They ended up tying the game with 26 seconds left in regulation, and Penn State went on to win the game in the first minute of overtime!

Melissa lists the opportunity to make an impact in young people’s lives as her favorite part of coaching. She hopes to help her players grow and develop as players and as great people who will go on to have a positive influence in society. She also just loves this game of soccer and says it’s awesome to get to teach it to others! Melissa has her USSF D License.

The club coach Melissa had growing up has been one of the biggest influences in her life. She says he was a great soccer coach who gave her a strong foundation in her game, but more than that he taught life principles that she still relies on to this day. He taught her and her teammates to compete and play the game well and also to go about things the right way, even if it was more difficult in the moment. Melissa is so grateful she had him as a coach, and she hopes to help her players in the same way.

Manchester City is Melissa’s favorite team and Kevin de Bruyne is her favorite player. Melissa absolutely loves her family (she just welcomed her second child) and loves spending time with them. They love being outside – whether it’s going to the beach, going on a hike or just getting in the sun!