Coaching Staff

Melissa Pearsall Gyllenborg

Owner, Program Director, Head Coach

Coaching Experience:

• McKendree University (DII), Head Coach, 2014-present

  • 2017 GLIAC Coach Of The Year​

  • 2017 GLIAC Conference Champions

• Siena College (DI), Head Coach, 2013-2014

• Colgate University (DI), Assistant Coach, 2010-2013

• Rochester Institute of Technology (DIII), Assistant Coach 2007-2010

  • IWLCA Assistant Coach Of The Year

Playing Experience:

• Syracuse University, 2003-2007

  • 2007 Big East Champions​

Education:

• Roberts Wesleyan, M.S. School Psychology

• Syracuse University, B.A. Psychology

Parrisa Sakinejad

 High School Coach

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Coaching Experience:

• McKendree University (DII), Graduate Assistant Coach, 2017-2019

• Tampa Elite Club High School Head Coach, 2015-2017

• Lakeland High School Volunteer Coach, 2016-2017

• Reber Lacrosse Coach, 2014-2017

Playing Experience:

• Florida Southern College (DII), 2013-2017

• 2016 Division II National Champion & Runner-Up 2017

• 3X Sunshine State Conference Champion

• IWLCA All-South Second Team

• All-Independent First Team

• Sunshine State Conference All-Tournament Team

Education:

• Florida Southern College, B.S. Healthcare Administration

Carly Shisler

High School Coach

Coaching Experience:

• McKendree University (DII), Graduate Assistant Coach, 2019-Present

• New Wave Club Coach U15 & U11, 2016-2017

• Players 360 Club Coach, 2019

• True Lacrosse Club Youth Assistant, 2015

Playing Experience:

• Grand Valley State University, 2015-2019

• 2019 GLIAC Midfielder of the year

• 82x GLIAC Player of the week

• First Team All-GLIAC Midfielder

• First Team All-Region Midfielder

• GLIAC All-Tournament Team

• 2019 IWLCA Senior All-Star Game

• Laker Legacy Award Winner

Education:

• Grand Valley State University, BA, Business Administration

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Taylor Hartwick

Middle School Coach

Coaching Experience:

•  NWA Black Diamonds Assistant Coach, 2017

• Lou Fusz Youth Coach, 2017-2018

Playing Experience:

• McKendree University (DII), 2014-2018

• 2018 GLIAC 2nd Team All-League, Defense

• GLIAC All Academic Team

• 2017 GLIAC Conference Champion 

Education:

• McKendree University, B.A. Psychology, Leadership Minor

Abby Kushina

Middle School Coach

Coaching Experience:

• Kirkwood High School Head JV and Varsity Assistant Coach, 2020-Current

• Visitation Academy Head JV and Varsity Assistant, 2019

Playing Experience:​

• Illinois Wesleyan University (DIII), 2014-2018

• Offensive MVP, 2015

• 2x CCIW Tournament Champion

• 2017 DIII NCAA Tournament 2nd Round

• 2018 DIII NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen

• 4th in career pts and 3rd in career goals for IWU

​Education:

• Illinois Wesleyan University, B.A. English Writing, minor in Women and Gender Studies

Lauren Neighbors

Fall League Coach

Coaching Experience:

• Belleville West High School Assistant Coach, 2017-2018

Playing Experience:

• McKendree University (DII), 2013-2017

• 2017 GLIAC Conference Champion

• Neighbors Award Recipient, 2017-2018

Education:

• McKendree University, MBA

• McKendree University, B.A.  Organizational Communication, Emphasis in Marketing and Minor in Leadership

Ellis Chalfant

Goalie Coach