During Women’s History Month, we honor the incredible contributions of women in all fields, including sports. The women listed below have broken barriers and achieved success in soccer coaching and have made a significant impact on the game. The United Soccer Coaches Women’s Coaches Community is proud to recognize these successful women soccer coaches who have left their mark in the world of coaching: Marguerite Aozasa, Becky Burleigh, Jill Ellis, Dr. Colleen Hacker, Laura Harvey, Julianne Stich, Carrie Taylor and Aliceann Wilber.
Margueritte Aozasa – Head Coach, UCLA Women’s Soccer
Margueritte is the first rookie head coach and first woman of color to ever win the NSCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.
Becky Burleigh – University of Florida
As the head coach at the University of Florida, Becky was the first female coach to with the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship, leading the Florida Gators to the 1998 title. She ranks in the Top-10 in career victories with over 500 wins.
Jill Ellis – FIFA Chief Football Officer
During her time with the United States Women’s National Team, Jill became the winningest coach in U.S. Soccer history. She is also the only coach to win two FIFA Women’s World Cups, in 2015 and 2019.
Dr. Colleen Hacker – Pacific Lutheran University
Dr. Hacker’s 1988 National Championship with Pacific Lutheran University was the first time in collegiate soccer history that a female head coach led a team to a national collegiate championship.
Laura Harvey – Seattle Reign, NWSL
Laura was the first NWSL Head Coach to reach 100 wins. She is also the only NWSL coach to be named the NWSL Coach of the Year three times.
Julianne Sitch – University of Denver
Before moving to the University of Denver, Coach Sitch was the first woman to coach a men’s soccer team to an NCAA title. Sitch led the University of Chicago men’s soccer team, the UChicago Maroons, to the championship in 2022.
Carrie Taylor – Technical Director, USL Women’s Pathway
Now the Technical Director for the USL Women’s Pathway, Carrie was the first female assistant coach for a men’s professional team in the United Soccer League with the USL Championship’s San Diego Loyal SC.
Aliceann Wilber – William Smith College
Aliceann is the first woman in collegiate soccer history to earn 600 career wins. Her 650+ wins put her in first place on the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer all-time list and second among coaches in all divisions of women’s soccer.