Coaching Staff
The Elite staff strives to build self-confidence, teamwork, high skill level and strong leadership skills in every player. Each staff member has a passion for the sport and is focused on providing a positive environment for girls in SWMO to grow as players and young ladies.
Meet the Staff:
Lindsay Paulsell—Director of Coaching, 92 and 96 Head Coach
Lindsay hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma where soccer is almost a religion. Playing club soccer since she was 6, Lindsay has had a very long successful career. After receiving many honors on both the high school and club pitch, Lindsay headed down I44 to play collegiate soccer for Drury College. Lindsay started three years for Drury before she succummed to a serious injury that ended her career before her senior year. Not wanting to let go of soccer, Lindsay began coaching. 14 years later, Lindsay has put together a lengthy coaching resume:
1999-2000- Graduate Assistant Coach for Northwest Missouri State University women’s soccer
1996-present- Coached Club soccer for local teams, Tracker SC, JB Marine SC and now Missouri Elite
2000-2002- Assistant Varisty Coach for Kickapoo HS girls
2002-2006- Head Varsity Coach for Marshfield HS boys and girls programs
Lindsay lives in Springfield with her husband, Chris and their 3 dogs.
Dilan Chastain—Staff Coach, 2000 girls Head Coach and 97 Assistant
Dilan played at Marshfield High(02-06) and Lindenwood University(06-07). He has a MYSA F license (08) and is pursuing higher certifications as time allows. Dilan obtained NSCAA State and Regional GK diplomas(09) and also attended the NSCAA Coaches convention(09). He just completed his 2nd year as the men’s asst at Ozark High School(08-09). Dilan also helped coach the Ozark 6th grade girls middle school team(spring 09). He is currently a senior at Missouri State working on a degree in finance with a minor in coaching. He plans to get his MBA and maybe JD.
Alysan Burgbacher—Staff Coach (Away At College)
Mike Gunnels—Staff Coach
Mike, a 1990 graduate from Drury University, has been coaching soccer for over 10 years. His coaching career began in Sevierville, TN where he volunteered as a coach in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) recreational program. In the fall of 2002, he helped organize the Sevier County extension of the Blount United Soccer Club and was an assistant coach for the U11 girls team. Mike and his family moved back to Springfield, MO in June of 2003. At that time he helped establish the club that is now Missouri Elite FC (formerly JB Marine – Springfield) and he has been helping as an assistant coach for the club teams for the past seven years. The majority of his time has been spent as the assistant coach for the Elite ’92 team, but he has also spent time helping coach the ’96, ’98 and 2000 teams. In the winter, Mike normally serves as the head coach for the club’s indoor teams; and in the summer, he has been the coach for many of the club’s 3v3 teams. In addition to his club coaching responsibilities, Mike served as the head coach for the Ozark Middle School girls teams from 2004-2006, the Ozark Middle School boys teams from 2008-2009, and the Ozark High School girls indoor teams from 2007-2010. Mike’s favorite professional club team is Liverpool and his favorite professional player is currently Fernando Torres, the striker for Liverpool and the Spanish national team. Mike’s daughter, Megan, was a member of the Elite ’92 team and recently committed to play soccer for Westminster College. Mike’s son, Sam, will be a freshman at Ozark High School. Mike, his wife Laura, and their two children live in Ozark, MO.
Alyssa Deckard— Staff Coach, 94 Head Coach and 92 Assistant
Sarah Goble— Staff Coach, 97 Head Coach
Alyssa Reis— Staff Coach, 2002 Co-Head and 96 Assistant
Macie Cotter— 2002 Co Head Coach
Izzye Escudero— Goalkeeper Coach