Mark Girard
Founder/ Head Coach
Mark, the founder of The Edge Soccer Programs, has over 20 years coaching experience. Many players whom he trained have advanced to the top level clubs, colleges, and professional teams. Mark has coached and trained teams for CASL (including U23s), TFC, Cary Clarets PDL, and Raleigh Elite. He was also an Assistant Coach for the Carolina Railhawks.
Karen Retzlaff
Business Operations
Karen is The Edge's office manager that handles all aspects of day-to-day business operations including our go-to "mom" for anything and everything. She has worked in the soccer industry for over 11 years and a true soccer mom at heart. She cheers her oldest son who plays for NC State University and plays on the U23 North Carolina FC team (during the summer) and watches her youngest son play for Heritage High School & NCFC and also train in our Edge Black program.
Brian Ackley
Head Coach
Brian played youth soccer locally for CASL and the Athens Drive HS State Champions. He played college soccer at Indiana University. Brian played professionally all over the world including New Zealand, Holland, Poland, and the Czech Republic. He has also played for the Carolina Railhawks and Wilmington Hammerheads. Brian has over 10 years of youth soccer coaching experience.
Jared Girard
Lead Coach
Jared played youth soccer for CASL and was named 2009-2010 CASL Club Captain. He played college soccer at Campbell University and Drexel University. Jared played professional in Sweden and Germany. He has coached and has provided youth technical training for 3 years.
Logan Paussa
Coach
Logan played youth soccer for CASL and collegiately. He has also coached and provided youth technical training for the last 3 years. Logan has a background in personal fitness and developed the Sports Performance program at The Edge.
Davis Griffin
Goalkeeping Coach
Davis played Division I soccer at UNC Greensboro where he played goalkeeper for the Spartans. Prior to attending UNC Greensboro, he played club soccer at CASL on their Academy team and earned all-conference and all region honors at Leesville Road High School. Davis also played for the Mississippi Bria PDL team and CASL NPSL team.
Chris Girard
Lead Coach/Business Development
Chris played youth soccer locally for CASL and Green Hope HS. He graduated from UNCC with a B.S.B.A in 2010. His background includes 10 plus years of youth soccer coaching experience. Chris concentrates on developing and growing businesses and has several years of experience devloping and maintaining professional relationships.
Evan Paussa
Coach & Camp Counselor
Evan has excelled in both CASL and state ranked Green Hope High School. He graduated from UNCC with a BS in Business Administration. He has coached and provided youth technical training for over 5 years. His goal in youth coaching is to help players gain confidence, achieve their goals, and enjoy the game of soccer.
Emily Turgeon
Sports Performance Coach
Emily holds her personal trainer certification from ISSA & comes to The Edge from Paladin Power and Speed. Her background includes playing for CASL & Cardinal Gibbon HS, Division I All-American soccer player, professional athlete in the W-League, a competitive USAPL powerlifter, NAS Strongman, & 10+ years of coaching experience.
Anna Fields
Coach
Anna played for FVAA, TFCA when the two clubs combined, and for the Fuquay Varina HS team. She is currently studying Psychology at North Carolina State University, with ambitions to become an Occupational Therapist. Anna works with the Little Edgers and loves contributing to the development of their skills.
Andrew Hevener
Coach
Andrew plays youth soccer locally for NCFC as a goalkeeper. He attends Fuquay-Varina High School, where he is the captain of the varsity soccer team. Andrew is committed to play division 1 soccer for Cornell University. After college, he holds aspirations to play professional soccer.
Lauren Ramage
Camp Counselor
Lauren played for FVAA, TFCA, and CASL. She played multiple sports and graduated from Fuquay-Varina high school. She now attends East Carolina University with a intended major of Business management and minor in Marketing..
Brian Shriver
Coach
Originally from Clearwater Florida, Brian played college soccer at UNC Chapel Hill. He was drafted by FC Dallas. Has been playing professional soccer for 10 years in the NASL and USL. He has played for Miami FC, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Carolina Railhawks, Tampa Bay Rowdies, North Carolina FC, Jacksonville Armada, and the Richmond Kickers.
DJ Taylor
Coach
Dj grew up playing for Casl and the NCFC academy teams. He also has played professionally in Spain and is Now is about to begin his second season with NCFC’s Professional team. DJ graduated from Panther Creek Highschool and obtained his UEFA B Coaching license in Spain.
Kennie Apilli
Director of Performance Training
Kennie is continusly growing in his quest to be a consummate health & fitness specialist. Born & raised in Nairobi, Kenya, he move to the U.S. at the age of 10. He then became very involved in athletics competing primarily in football & that provided him with an opportunity to play in college at NC State and Southern Utah universities while receiving his degree in Exercise Science. He also has certifications with the American College of Sports Medicine & the National Strength & Conditioning Association and he's currently acquiring an MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute. He has been heavily engaged in providing health & fitness specialty training nationwide within different firms, corporations & organizations. His goals are to educate, encourage, and guide his clients in their quest to optimize long-term health.
Jenni Apilli
Performance Training Coordinator
Jenni is the Performance Training Coordinator. As a sociology and criminology major, she brings 6 years of law enforcement administrative management to our program's need for an overwhelming amount of coordinative governance. Business operational tasks such as onboarding, client account management and development fall within her responsibilities. An avid fitness enthusiast and servant at heart, she is very passionate about providing a qualitative service for our members.
Shane Mecham
Coach at Wilmington
Shane spent four years as a Division 1 player at UNC-Wilmington, after spending his high school and club career in Blacksburg, Virginia prior to college. Additionally, Shane was a member of the Carolina Dynamo PDL team for one season. In Wilmington Shane also gained coaching experience, serving as a staff member at multiple UNCW soccer camps each summer, as well as spending one year as coach for the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC Junior’s Program.
Ross Tomaselli
Coach at Wilmington
Ross played youth soccer locally for Cafe Fear Soccer Association and in the Raleigh area for CASL. He was a member of the United States Youth national team at the U14-U17 level and played his collegiate soccer at Wake Forest University where he captained the team as a senior. Ross played professionally in Sweden and Ireland before returning stateside and representing his hometown team, the Wilmington Hammerheads. Ross wrapped up his playing career in Ohio with FC Cincinnati in 2016.
Justin Moose
Coach at Wilmington
Justin has a decade of professional playing experience and holds a USSF “B” coaching license. He has coached at several youth clubs and is currently the Director of the Wilmington Hammerheads Juniors Academy. He attended Wake Forest University where he set the all-time school assist record; earned ACC rookie of the year in 2002; NSCAA 1st Team All-American honors (2004, 2005); and was a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist.
Justin was selected seventh overall in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United. He went on to play at Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL), Sriracha F.C. of the Thai Premier League, Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho (Finland) and Wilmington Hammerheads (USL). Justin retired from playing in Wilmington with his wife and son (loves EDGE training).