STAFF

RICK DERELLA | Co-Founder, Technical Director

Development Academy Coach
Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2003
Board of Directors for the Connecticut Hall of Fame
USSF A License
US Soccer Academy Directors Course graduate
Four Indoor National Championships
Coached two FIFA Youth World Cup Members (Ellie Jean & Koczak)
Coached the Adidas ESP Golden Boot Winner (Riley Houle)
Coached Nine MLS players (two whom are currently playing: Mason Stajduhar & Ben Mines)
Former Director of Connecticut ODP
Former Ivy League Selection at Cornell University

DAVE FARRELL | Co-Founder, Coaching Director

Development Academy Coach
Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2003
USSF A License
Head Coach of 2014 & 2015 US Soccer Development Academy Playoffs
Coached the Adidas ESP Golden Boot Winner (Leon Carby)
Coached Nine MLS players (two are currently playing Mason Stajduhar & Ema Twumasi) 

Four Indoor National Championships
Former Region 1 ODP Staff Coach
Former Professional Player for the Cleveland Cobras, ASL
Former Assistant Coach at the University of Akron

KEVIN BACHER | U17 & 19 MLS NEXT Head Coach

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Oakwood & United States Soccer Federation 

• 2019 US Soccer U19 DA Cup Northeast Champions 

• 2019-2020 U14 US Soccer National Team Technical  Staff Member @ two training camps  

• Six US Soccer Development Academy Playoff Appearances 

• 2016-17 US Soccer Development Academy Northeast Division Champions

• 2016-2017  US Club Soccer Pre Academy Northeast Champions 

• 2013 US Soccer Development Academy Coach of the Year

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UCONN

• 2002-2011Assistant Coach 
• Six BIG EAST Championships & Ten NCAA    Tournament Appearances
• Coached and / or recruited 20 MLS players including  #1 MLS Draft Pick Andre Blake and #2 Carlos Alvarez

Cornell University

• 2001Assistant Coach 

• 2001 NSCAA New England Coaching Staff of the Year 

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Syracuse University 

• 2000 All BIG EAST Goalkeeper 

• 2000 First Team All Northeast NSCAA Team

• 2000 Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year

• 2000 Team MVP

• 1999 Team MVP 

 

Education 

Syracuse University 

• BS Major in Geography | Minor in Coaching

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United States Soccer Federation 

• USSF A 2021 candidate 

• USSF B 2019

• USSF C 2018

• USSF D 2017

• USSF E 2006 

MATT CAMERON | Girls Academy U19/U17/U16 Coach

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2018 US Soccer Development Academy Coach of the Year

Development Academy Coach
USSF B License
Oakwood DA coach for 6 years; Boys and Girls
Coached Oakwood’s first ever DA game
Twelve State Cup Championships (9 CT, 3 MA)
u17 National Indoor Champions (2004)

Coached FIFA u20 World Cup Member Ellie Jean (4 years)
20 US Youth National players
Former US Club Soccer Id2 National Staff Coach
Captain University of Hartford

Has been at Oakwood full time since 1998

ERIK BARBIERI | Girls Academy Staff

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USSF C license
Former DOC for Glastonbury Hartwell Soccer Club
2016 NPL National Championship Finalist- U15 girls
Won two National Indoor Titles as a player with Oakwood
UCONN leading scorer 3 out of 4 years
All American at UCONN in 1994
Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 1994
UConn scoring record of 11 consecutive games with a goal.
Professionally: St. Louis Ambush NPSL 1995; 
7 year player for A-League’s Connecticut Wolves

ERIK PLIMPTON | Girls Academy Coach

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USSF B License
USSF Youth (Y) License
NSCAA Goalkeeping Diploma
NSCAA Futsal Diploma
Assistant Coach Girls u15 US Soccer Development Academy Team
2013-2017 NPL, Jefferson Cup, NEWSS Championships
Coached 15 USYNT/USNTC Players
Former Captain State University of New York at Canton

TODD SADLER | Girls EDP Head Coach

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USSF C License

Former Coach Chicago Magic Soccer Club

Coached Current US National Team Players Brad Guzan (Atlanta United) and Eric Lichaj (Nottiingham Forest)

11 year Head Coach Northwest Catholic HS

Four time State Champion

2012 CT high school Coach of the Year

National Champion as a youth player

Four year starter at University of Hartford 

CHRIS MOGAVERO | Girls Academy Coach

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USSF B License

2017 NPL National Championship Finalist U15 Girls 

Former Belchertown HS Head Coach

2005, 2006, 2007, 2009  Western Mass Finalists

2003, 2004, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Western Mass Champions

2004 & 2012 State Finalists

2003 State Champions

Head Coach Lady Pioneers W League (2005-2007)

Head Coach Albany College of Pharmacy Women’s Team (1997-1999)

Assistant Coach Saint Rose College Men’s Team- Division II (1996-1997)

Playing Experience:

Western Mass Pioneers USL Pro League 2000-2005

Mass Twisters Pro Indoor NISL 2004-2006

Albany Alleycats USL Pro League 1996-1999

University of Albany  1992-1996

BOB WASSERMAN | Zone 1 Coach

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Oakwood Coach for 30 consecutive years

Former Assistant Coach University of Evansville 

Division I Player at University of Evansville

Former US U-20 Men’s Team Selection 

Former Member US World Maccabean Team Silver Medalist

Former Member NY United Professional Soccer Team

Director of Physical Therapy Starling Physicians

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist 

GREG DEVITO | MLS Next Coach

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Eastern Connecticut State University Head Men’s Soccer Coach
11 Conference Championships and 6 NCAA Appearances
2 Conference Coach of the Year Awards
NSCAA Team Academic Award
4 NSCAA Team Ethics Awards
USSF B License
NSCAA Premier Diploma
Six CJSA State Cup Championships, 2 Regional Semifinalists & one US Club Soccer Regional Championship

TOM POITRAS | MLS Next Coach

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USSF A License

Head Men’s Coach at the University of Harford 2011 - Present

Owns the 29th-best career win percentage (.607) among active NCAA Division I coaches (244-148-58)

Four-time America East Championship finalist – 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016

Produced Hartford’s second-highest draft pick (8th overall) in Damion Lowe - 2013

Developed 41 All-Region honorees, including 10 at Hartford

Inducted into Southington’s Sports Hall of Fame – 2011

Inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame  – 2016

18 different student-athletes have gone on to play professionally, 13 All-Americans

Five NCAA Tournament Appearances
Three Conference Championships
Conference Coach of the Year

USSF National Youth License 
NSCAA Premier Diploma

EVERALD BENJAMIN | MLS Next Coach

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Oakwood Soccer Coach for 8 years

USSF C License

Assistant Coach for Academy u19 and u17 teams

Meet the Huskies Soccer Award

Southern Connecticut State University; NCAA National Champions

TIFFANY WEIMER | Girls Academy Coach

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2 time NSCAA high school all-American

2 time Parade Magazine high school all-American

109 high school goals at North Haven HS

Penn State:  9th leading scorer in Division I history (91 goals), Big Ten all time leading scorer, scored in 17 consecutive matches, Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, 2 time Hermann Trophy finalist, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, 4 time all American, 2 time NCAA Final Four

Professional: 12 year playing career spanning 6 countries (USA, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Brazil, Canada)​

Co-Founder of Duktig Brand, soccer-specific notebooks

NICK BALISTIERRI | MLS Next Pre Academy U12 Coach

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Former Oakwood player and coach of Hartford City FC in the UPSL.

DANILO MARTINS | MLS Next Pre Academy U12 Coach

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HS Coach in Fairfield CT

US Soccer A National License candidate

SHANE RECKLETT | MLS Next U13/14 Coach

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Former professional player in Plauer, Germany

US Soccer National A license holder

JOHN WALSH | Girls Zone 1 Coach

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US Soccer B National License candidate

DON HATHORN | Boys’ Zone 1 Coach

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Former University of New Haven head Coach

US Soccer National B license holder

WALTER VILLAGRA | Girls Pre Academy Coach

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Former Professional play in Argentina

US Soccer National C License holder

VANESSA PHILLIPS BOSSHART | Goalkeeper Coach

 

Vanessa Phillips Bosshart completed her second season as an assistant coach with the Huskies in 2019.

A Vernon, Conn. native, Phillips Bosshart previously worked four seasons (2013-16) at Murray State as an assistant coach. She spent time working with the goalkeepers and handling administrative duties. During her time with the Racers the team flourished on the field, winning the Ohio Valley regular season and tournament championships in 2015. In 2016, the Racers were unbeaten in conference play and were co-regular season champs in the Ohio Valley.

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Phillips Bosshart also worked as an assistant coach at University of Arkansas for two seasons (2010-11) and University of North Florida for two years (2007-09).

Prior to beginning her coaching career, she played collegiately at the University of Tennessee (2002-05) and was their starting goalkeeper for three seasons. She was a two-time All-SEC second team member and was a 2004 NSCAA Academic All-American. After graduating, she played one season of professional soccer with the Ottawa Fury in the W-League (2007).

MATT RAFALA | Girls EDP U15/16 Coach

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Former HS Coach at Bacon Academy

US Soccer National C License candidate

JOHN KOSTELIS | Zone 1 Coach

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Former HS All American and college stand out at American University

US Soccer D License