Coaching Staff

Melissa Pearsall Gyllenborg
Owner, Program Director, Head Coach

Kate Haffenreffer
Youth Program Director, Youth Coach

Parrisa Sakinejad
High School Coach
Coaching Experience:
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McKendree University (DII), Head Coach, 2014-present
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2017 GLIAC Coach Of The Year
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2017 GLIAC Conference Champions
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Siena College (DI), Head Coach, 2013-2014
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Colgate University (DI), Assistant Coach, 2010-2013
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Rochester Institute of Technology (DIII), Assistant Coach 2007-2010
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IWLCA Assistant Coach Of The Year
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Playing Experience:
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Syracuse University, 2003-2007
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2007 Big East Champions
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Education:
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Roberts Wesleyan, M.S. School Psychology
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Syracuse University, B.A. Psychology
Coaching Experience:
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Red Skirts Lacrosse Club (K-8th grade), Owner, and Director, 2015-2020
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Mary Institute Saint Louis Country Day School, Varsity Head Coach, 2016- present
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MO State Champions- 2017, 2018
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2017 MO HS Coach of the Year
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Villa Duchesne, Varsity Head Coach, 14-15
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Mary Institute Saint Louis Country Day School, Middle School Lacrosse Coordinator & Coach, 2013
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Dana Hall School (Wellesley, MA), Varsity Assistant & JV Head Coach, 2004-05
Playing Experience:
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Dartmouth College, 2001- 2004
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Ivy League Champions- 2001, 2003
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2nd Team All-Ivy, 2003
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1st Team Regional All-American, 2004
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Education:
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Lesley University, M.Ed.
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Dartmouth College, A.B., Sociology
Coaching Experience:
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McKendree University (DII), Graduate Assistant Coach, 2017-2019
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Tampa Elite Club High School Head Coach, 2015-2017
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Lakeland High School Volunteer Coach, 2016-2017
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Reber Lacrosse Coach, 2014-2017
Playing Experience:
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Florida Southern College (DII), 2013-2017
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2016 Division II National Champion & Runner-Up 2017
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3X Sunshine State Conference Champion
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IWLCA All-South Second Team
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All-Independent First Team
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Sunshine State Conference All-Tournament Team
Education:
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McKendree University, M.B.A
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Florida Southern College, B.S. Healthcare Administration

Taylor Hartwick
Middle School Coach
Coaching Experience:
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NWA Black Diamonds Assistant Coach, 2017
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Lou Fusz Youth Coach, 2017-2018
Playing Experience:
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McKendree University (DII), 2014-2018
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2018 GLIAC 2nd Team All-League, Defense
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GLIAC All Academic Team
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2017 GLIAC Conference Champion
Education:
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McKendree University, B.A. Psychology, Leadership Minor

Abby Kushina
Middle School Coach
Coaching Experience:
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Kirkwood High School Head JV and Varsity Assistant Coach, 2020-Current
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Visitation Academy Head JV and Varsity Assistant, 2019
Playing Experience:
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Illinois Wesleyan University (DIII), 2014-2018
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Offensive MVP, 2015
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2x CCIW Tournament Champion
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2017 DIII NCAA Tournament 2nd Round
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2018 DIII NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
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4th in career pts and 3rd in career goals for IWU
Education:
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Illinois Wesleyan University, B.A. English Writing, minor in Women and Gender Studies

Carly Shisler
High School Coach
Coaching Experience:
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McKendree University (DII), Graduate Assistant Coach, 2019-Present
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New Wave Club Coach U15 & U11, 2016-2017
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Players 360 Club Coach, 2019
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True Lacrosse Club Youth Assistant, 2015
Playing Experience:
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Grand Valley State University, 2015-2019
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2019 GLIAC Midfielder of the year
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82x GLIAC Player of the week
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First Team All-GLIAC Midfielder
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First Team All-Region Midfielder
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GLIAC All-Tournament Team
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2019 IWLCA Senior All-Star Game
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Laker Legacy Award Winner
Education:
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Grand Valley State University, BA, Business Administration


Ellis Chalfant
Goalie Coach
Lauren Neighbors
Fall League Coach
Coaching Experience:
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Belleville West High School Assistant Coach, 2017-2018
Playing Experience:
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McKendree University (DII), 2013-2017
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2017 GLIAC Conference Champion
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Neighbors Award Recipient, 2017-2018
Education:
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McKendree University, MBA
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McKendree University, B.A. Organizational Communication, Emphasis in Marketing and Minor in Leadership