Carlson welcomes five coaches back, adds two staff members for club’s second campaign
Greenville, SC (February 23, 2023) – The Greenville Liberty Soccer Club has set its staff for the 2023 season, the team announced today. Head coach and technical director Julie Carlson welcomes five returning staff members from the 2022 South Atlantic Division-winning team, as Kevin Kennedy, Sarah Jacobs, and Santiago Restrepo all return as support staff and India Trotter and Blakely Mattern will continue as performance coaches. Carlson has also added two positions, with Alison Stelling of Mauldin High School joining as a fourth assistant coach and video analyst, and Caroline Liddy joining to manage soccer operations.
Carlson and her staff coached the team to a 9-3-2 record and South Atlantic Division title and a run to the USL W League Playoff Semifinals in 2022. Kennedy will return for the summer as an assistant coach with Jacobs. Kennedy held the head coach position at Georgia Southern from 2005-2016 before serving as Carlson’s assistant coach at Anderson. He also coached club and high school soccer, including serving six years as the Director of Coaching and Club Director of the Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club. Jacobs will reprise her role as a player coach this season, as previously announced. Additionally, CESA goalkeeping coach and former USC Upstate men’s assistant coach, Santiago Restrepo, will return to train the Liberty keepers. A former collegiate and pro player, Restrepo recorded roster marks for A.F.C. Roatan (Honduras 2nd Division), Kaw Valley F.C. (USL League Two) and NPSL teams Lansing United and Upward Stars.
The Liberty and 11.11 Elite Training have also renewed their partnership for 2023, bringing back co-founders India Trotter and Blakely Mattern as performance coaches. They offer offseason training for players, including technical and fitness work. Trotter is an award-winning Florida State women’s soccer alum and two-time All-American. Mattern is a University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame member and was named the first All-American in the history of South Carolina’s womens soccer program. Both Trotter and Mattern played professionally in the U.S. and internationally for over three years following their collegiate careers.
The Greenville Liberty welcomes two new additions to the technical staff this season. Alison Stelling brings coaching experience as the Mauldin High School varsity girls head soccer coach and player experience from Presbyterian College. She will assist with coaching during training and matches along with providing as a video analyst. Liddy will serve as the team manager for 2023, taking over the role from Megan Rhymer. A Clemson University student, Liddy has interned for Clemson Athletics operations, the American Junior Golf Association and Blue57 Football Scouting. She will offer assistance for match day operations and team managerial duties. The Greenville Liberty will return to the pitch at 7:00 PM on May 12th for their Home Opener against new USL W League member, FC Carolinas. The team joins the Triumph in the move to Furman’s Paladin Stadium this season and host six home matches. Season tickets are available to purchase here.