ABOUT RACHEL: OWNER/ HEAD TRAINER, MENTAL TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
Rachel Wood is a former professional soccer player for the Boston Breakers in the NWSL. Prior to her career in the NWSL, she player professionally for HK/Vikingur in Iceland. She played collegiately for the University of North Carolina Tarheels for three years where she won 2 NCAA National Championships and finished her senior season close to home at UC Irvine.
Rachel grew up in Southern California and played at the highest level of competition from a very young age. She played for the well known club, Slammers FC. She was also a member of the Aliso Niguel High School Varsity team, Parade All-American, Region IV ODP team, and the U-17 and U-20 National Teams.
Rachel has experienced the joy of earning two national championships and playing in a positive environment. But, she has also experienced the challenges presented by illness, injury, and less than positive coaching. She takes very seriously the responsibility to give back and help young players reach their potential. She is a sought after trainer for female and male soccer players at every level from youth through college athletes.
In 2013, Rachel received her degree in Psychology and Social Behavior. Summit Soccer has been the perfect marriage of Rachel’s passions for people and sports. It has given her an outlet to grow and developing people and, in turn, athletes.
**PLEASE NOTE ALL OF OUR TRAINERS ARE CORI’D AND ARE FULLY TRAINED IN THE SUMMIT STYLE OF POSITIVE COACHING, TEACHING PROPER TECHNIQUE AND OPERATE UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF WORKING HARD, HAVING FUN AND MAINTAINING A HIGH LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM!**
A note from Rachel:
“I know what it takes physically and mentally to get to the top. However, this game has also given me the ability to completely and authentically empathize with and understand every single one of my players and the situations they face. Summit has given me a positive avenue to help me heal my past: to heal my past traumas, my past hurts and my past negativity I faced while playing this beautiful game.
That is why I coach from a place of love. I coach the way I wanted to be coached, with encouragement, information and belief. The very definition of coaching is: to guide and lead a person in the pursuit of personal or professional goals. I am constantly trying to learn HOW each player needs to be guided so that he/she can each have as much personal success as he/she can.
Each day I learn from my players and each day I’m grateful for all that soccer has given to me. Come join me on an awesome journey of curiosity, positivity and amazing athletic and emotional adventures! Let’s do this thing!!!”
About Hannah: Professional Trainer (all ages) & Sports Psych Specialist
Hannah Matlack is an assistant coach for the women’s soccer program at Babson College, co-director of the soccer program at Berkshire Soccer Academy, and a former center back for Dickinson College. Hannah grew up in Needham, MA, where she played for Global Premier Soccer as well as for the varsity girl’s soccer team at Noble and Greenough School, where she helped her team to win three ISL championships and an NEPSAC championship during her time in high school. Hannah went on to play center back at Dickinson College, where she started all 64 games she played in her college career, earning All-Conference recognition from 2012-2015, All-Region recognition from 2013-2015, and was elected team MVP by her teammates all four years. In 2018, Hannah was named to the Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary Team, honoring the best players across the conference in the past 25 players.
After Dickinson, Hannah went on to become head coach of the varsity girl’s soccer team at New Hampton School where she focused on developing leadership and team dynamics through communication, high-paced sessions, and positivity. In 2019, Hannah moved to Scotland to pursue a Masters in Sport Psychology at the University of Stirling. There, she played for the Stirling University Women’s Soccer Team as well as the Stirling University Ladies’ Football Club which competed in the Scottish Women’s Premier League. As part of her Masters, Hannah spent time teaching mental skills to the Men’s and Women’s volleyball teams to improve their coping mechanisms for competition anxiety and consistent performance, and helped the teams to develop leadership in multiple roles and empowerment through communication. She focused her dissertation on women’s leadership in sport, a topic which she is passionate about and looks forward to applying at Summit Soccer Academy!
About Dana: Professional Trainer (all ages)
Dana Goulet grew up in Wilmington, MA, where she played for Global Premier Soccer as well as varsity girl’s soccer, basketball, and softball for Wilmington High school. In 2018 she committed to Bentley University for Softball and Soccer. Dana went on to lead the soccer team in points and goals sophomore and senior year and helped take the team to it’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2019 and the highest regular season ranking in program history in 2021. She started in 52 of my 53 career soccer games and captained the team her senior year.
In 2020 Dana was named to the Wilmington High School All-Decade team for softball and soccer from the years 2010 - 2020
From 2014 to the present, Dana have been certified as a FIFA grade 8 referee and is in the progress of completing her grassroots coaching certification. Since she was 11 she has volunteered for TOPS soccer, a program designed to include kids of all abilities and ages in sports.
About Katerina: Professional Trainer (Goal Keepers; Middle School and Younger)
Katerina Hassapis, grew up in North Reading, MA where she played for Aztec Soccer, as well as Varsity Girls Soccer and Basketball for North Reading Highschool. Before Bentley University Katerina was named the 2015 & 2016 Cape Ann League Player of the Year … three-time, first team Cape Ann League All-Star selection … North Reading’s team MVP in 2015 & 2016, and a Boston Globe All-Scholastic selection those years as well … named both All-State and an Eastern Mass. All-Star for 2016 season … served as team captain at both NR and for club team Aztec.
Her first year at Bentley, she was named to the Northeast-10 All-Rookie team ... also named second team All-New England. Katerina went on to help lead Bentley to their highest regular season ranking in program history leading to their first ever NCAA appearance in 2021. She was named 2nd team All-Northeast-10 Conference … voted to the NE10 Academic All-Conference team … also named first team All-New England by the NEWISA … started all 20 matches Bentley played … led the NE10 with eight shutouts … part of a defensive effort that contributed to a 531 minute shutout streak that spanned five-plus games … also part of a group that conceded just one goal in an eight game stretch from …
In 2020 won The Edward J. Powers Award as Bentley's Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete ... earned the Academic Achievement Award from the Div. 2 Athletic Directors Association.. and captained her team in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Katerina is an active player in the EMWSL, a player for the Boston Dream, a North Reading Youth Soccer Volunteer, and a coach/volunteer for the TOP Soccer Program.
About Allyson: Professional Trainer (All Ages)
Ally grew up in Seekonk, MA & started playing soccer when she was four years old. Growing up, she played club soccer for Blackwatch, NEFC, and Bayside FC. During her four years at Seekonk High School, she played for the varsity soccer team, earning All-Conference and All-State nods.
Ally attended Southern New Hampshire University from 2017-2021, receiving a Bachelors in Secondary Mathematics Education. During her four years on the SNHU's Women Soccer Team, her team won two conference championships and had four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament. As a freshman she was selected for the conference's All-Rookie Team. In her Junior year, she ended the season with 10 goals and 5 assists for 25 points. In 2019 and 2021, she received consecutive All-Conference First Team awards along with United Coaches All-Region First Team awards. In 2021, she was named Player of the Year for the conference and was selected for the United Coaches First Team All-American and Scholar All-American.
Upon graduating, Ally headed to Iceland to play professionally for Volsungur FC in the summer of 2022. She capped the season with 10 goals and 10 assists. She now coaches at NEFC and is in the process of earning my Grassroots Coaching License along with her D License.
Ally has dedicated her whole life to soccer. She states, “It has given me purpose and I hope to give this joy and purpose back to generations to come. I am someone who gives 150% into anything I set my mind to so I am determined to be the best coach for future players. I want to be the type of coach that these players can rely on to support in anything they choose just like my past coaches did for me.” Ally is thrilled to be a part of the Summit Squad!
About Carlton: Trainer (all ages)
A native of Bellingham, Massachusetts, Carlton Wheeler-Omiunu joined the Dana Hall community in 2018. He is a member of the Admission team and lives on campus at Dana Hall School. Prior to coming to Dana Hall, he spent several years in New Hampshire playing and coaching soccer at different levels.
He attended Colby-Sawyer College, where he was a two-year captain and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management. While at Colby-Sawyer, Carlton led the Chargers defense as a starting central back for four years, garnering All-Conference honors and All-Tournament ECAC honors.
After college, Carlton was the Head Coach of the Girls’ Varsity Program at Proctor Academy and the Head Coach for the Kearsarge United u18 Boys team. He has completed his USSF F and Grassroots Coaching Certifications.
What Players Are Saying!
“Coach Carlton gave me an amazing session! He was engaging, constructive, and positive. I worked on new techniques with his creative drills, and got the most out of the session. He chatted in between drills and was kind and fun but didn’t compromise our time to play soccer! He coached me on technique while providing examples and ideas about how to apply what we were doing to a game. He also worked with me on my specific position. I would definitely recommend Carlton for anyone looking for a fun and hardworking session with a great coach!”
Kate H, 2005 birth year, NEFC Club Player
About Hayley: Trainer (all ages)
Hayley Katkowski is a youth soccer coach and member of the Bedford Varsity Girls coaching staff. Before her coaching start, she grew up playing soccer at the ECNL level locally for FC Stars. She played Division 1 soccer at Rutgers University. At Rutgers, she was a three year captain and four year starter. She was recognized by the Big East Conference, American Athletic Conference, and Big Ten Conference with preseason and post season honors from 2012-2015. Her senior year at Rutgers, she led her team to the programs first ever Final Four College Cup appearance in 2015.
After Rutgers, she came back to Boston to play with the Boston Breakers reserves from 2016-2017. In 2017, she went overseas to play for FC Slovacko’s Women’s team in first division in the Czech Republic. From 2018-2019 she played in Sweden for Sandviken IF as well.
She graduated Rutgers in 2016 with a degree in Sports Management. She just completed her USSF D License for coaching.
Hayley will be working with Summit part time this fall and will continue to be involved with the Summit Squad this winter.
STRENGTH BY SUMMIT
Summit Soccer Academy’s Injury Prevention, Strength and Conditioning and Running Mechanics Program
About Taylor: Strength and Conditioning, Injury Prevention & Speed Expert
Taylor Gent
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Bentley Women's Field Hockey and Lacrosse
Originally from South Africa, Taylor grew up playing field hockey, swam and competed in track and field. She continued to pursue her athletic career at Lindenwood University where she played Division II Field Hockey. Taylor graduated from Lindenwood in December 2021 where she received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in nutrition.
Since joining AE Taylor has worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and is currently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Bentley University’s Field Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse teams. Taylor’s passion and understanding of speed development has led to her role as one of the Speed Development Coaches for the Speed Academy. Taylor’s experience as a collegiate athlete has given her the ability to not only coach her athletes but relate to them both inside and outside the weight room.
About Katie: Injury Prevention & Strength and Conditioning
Katie O'Brien
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Bentley Women's Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, and Lacrosse, Personal Trainer
College: Merrimack College (MS), University of New Hampshire (BS)
Credentials: CSCS
Focus Areas: Softball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, and Volleyball
Katie O’Brien joined the AE coaching staff full-time in the summer of 2021. She was hired after first coming to AE as an graduate fellow in the fall of 2020. Katie received a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 2019. Katie continued her education at Merrimack College where she received her Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science. During her year at Merrimack she worked with a variety of individual athletes and the Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, and Field Hockey teams at Bentley University.
Katie is currently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Bentley University’s Women’s Soccer, Lacrosse, Volleyball, and Softball teams. She also works as a personal trainer, specializing in soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and softball athletes of all ages.
Katie is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA as well as a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer.
About Rachel: Injury Prevention & Strength and Conditioning Assistant Coach
Rachel DiFronzo is a rising junior at Endicott College. Though she began her college career on an athletic training path, she is now an exercise science major and will pursue her passion for strength and conditioning which she found through Athletic Evolution. Last summer, she encountered her first internship experience in which she worked coaching athletes at AE. Upon her internship completion, she knew strength and conditioning would be more than a one-time internship and instead her life long career pursuit. Rachel is grateful to have been re-hire by Athletic Evolution and is looking forwards to a summer of helping athletes achieve their potential. Rachel will be assisting both Katie and Taylor with all of Summit’s small group training.
Rachel is from Wilmington, MA and attended Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody where she played field hockey and ran track.