Coaches

Katie Drovdahl

After playing soccer at the University of San Francisco and earning her Master’s in Teaching, Katie combined her love of playing and teaching into a love of coaching. She has coached at the camp, select, and high school levels including the past six years as the Head of the Bainbridge High School Girls Soccer Program and Varsity Coach. She has worked as a high school English Teacher and a Preschool Director and is currently the Attendance and Athletics Clerk at Woodward Middle School.

• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma
• United Soccer Coaches 11v11 Diploma
• SafeSport Trained Core certified
• United States Soccer Federation D license
• United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Diploma

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“Growing up playing at a girls’ soccer club in Southern California was foundational in teaching me the concepts of leadership, confidence, and hard work– three values that I carry with me today. Female-identifying athletes deserve to play and learn in an environment that is tailored to meet their individual needs, and I am excited for the opportunity to help build a program like West Sound Soccer Academy.” — Katie

Allison Spiceland

Allison grew up playing youth and high school soccer on Bainbridge Island and is now a proud mother of two soccer players. A licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), she has a BA and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Seattle University and works for Seattle-based mental health agency Joon Care, providing therapy to adolescents and young adults.  Allison has also received training in MIndful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T).

She is a member of TAP (thetrueathleteproject.org) and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Sports Psychology for Athlete Development through Barcelona FC’s educational program, Barca Innovation Hub, as well as a Level 1 Training in Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to Children and Teens through Little Flower Yoga. Allison is a lifelong athlete, and she believes sports can change lives and communities.

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“I believe that West Sound Soccer Academy provides the type of positive environment that helps female athletes thrive on and off the field.  I am excited to be part of an organization that values and tends to the full- mental, emotional, and physical- health of their athletes.” — Allison

Holly Christy

Holly played at two NCAA Division I schools (Santa Clara U. ’90 & ‘91 and U. Of Wisconsin-Madison ’92 &’93) before playing as a professional in Sweden for Umea IK, where a fractured leg ended her soccer career and started her medical career. While playing in college, Holly coached for several different summer camps, and attained her USSF D license. Holly also played for and then later was the assistant coach for the Washington Women’s State team. In her coaching career, she has coached goalkeepers at the professional, college and select levels. 

It was her experience with soccer and many injuries that led Holly to pursue a career in medicine. As a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist since 2000, Holly has worked with athletes ranging in age from junior high school up to the college and professional level. She is a lead instructor for the Jones Institute and the Counterstrain Academy and has pursued research in Counterstrain for the non-profit she started in 2017. Holly has a passion for working with athletes to strengthen their body terrain and to understand their bodies well enough to know when to seek help.

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Level 1 Diploma
• United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Level 1

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“I want young female athletes to thrive in an environment meant to uniquely support and celebrate them as they develop. If they learn to play and also cultivate their own wellness in an empowered community, it will carry with them throughout their lives, not just their soccer career. My best coaches were women and they played a critical role in who I am today. In fact, I learned more from my favorite coach than any instructor, professor, or teacher I had in college or medical school. She inspired me to work hard, make mistakes and learn from them, and to laugh at myself. I felt she truly cared. I hope I can provide the same support to the athletes at West Sound Soccer Academy.” — Holly

Lexi Crowell

Lexi played competitive soccer for 10+ years before finishing out her college career at Northwestern College. While at Northwestern, Lexi earned a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education. When Lexi isn’t coaching soccer, you can find her in her classroom as a special needs education teacher. It was teaching and her love of the game that led her to pursue coaching more seriously. 

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma
• United Soccer Coaches 11v11 Diploma
• SafeSport Trained Core certified

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“West Sound Soccer Academy puts women coaches and players first. It is with this piece of advocacy, that I am excited to go on this endeavor. Advocacy is at the core of who I am and who I wish everyone to become. An advocate, for those whose voice may carry less, let us carry more. By using soccer as a tool and guide, I hope to raise the next generation of women to have voices that shake rooms and break glass ceilings.” — Lexi

Mark Drovdahl

Mark played soccer at Seattle Pacific University and worked with youth of all ages as a program director at Northwest Soccer Camp and at Seattle SCORES, an afterschool program for Title I elementary schools. He has coached girls and boys select teams and currently coaches both a 2012 girls select team and the Junior Varsity Bainbridge High School girls soccer team. Alongside coaching, Mark works at Automattic, Inc as a Director of Operations.

• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma
• SafeSport Trained Core certified
• United Soccer Coaches 11v11 Diploma (in process)

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“The benefits for girls participating in youth sports are well known and yet by age 14, girls drop out of sports at a rate twice that of boys (learn more). I’m excited to coach with an organization that was designed from the ground up to change that equation.” — Mark

Megan Keaty

Megan played soccer for 3 years at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. During the summer months of her college career she coached and directed soccer camps for Skyhawk’s Sports Academy.  She is very excited to get back into coaching with West Sound Soccer Academy!

• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma (in process)

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“I strongly believe that my personal and professional success is in large part due to being involved with soccer from a young age. The lessons I have learned and the experiences I’ve had both on and off the field have shaped the person I am today.  I am very passionate about women’s sports, soccer in particular, and I am looking forward to helping our athletes develop their skills in a fun, safe and equitable environment.” — Megan

Tom McDaniel

Tom played club soccer from early childhood through college and has coached four seasons with BIFC.  As a lifelong athlete, he believes passionately in the positive impact of sport for both youth and adults.

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma (in process)
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma (in process)

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“WSSA’s mission to support and empower female athletes and coaches resonates with me deeply.  I want to cultivate love of The Beautiful Game in our community’s young women, support them in challenging themselves and each other on and off the pitch.” — Tom

Shane Miramontez

As a lifelong sports enthusiast, Shane has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old. She is thrilled that her two young children also seem to enjoy the sport (so far!). Shane spent the past year volunteering with both high school and elementary aged soccer teams and is excited to join the West Sound coaching staff. She has worked with young children with disabilities for over twenty years and is currently an Inclusion Specialist with the University of Washington as well as a board member at Stephen’s House/Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation.

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma (in process)
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma (in process)

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“Coaching soccer for West Sound Soccer Academy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a female-run organization dedicated to empowering young women through sports. As a coach, I look forward to supporting a future generation of female athletes, fostering not only their ball skills, but more importantly their confidence, commitment, and leadership abilities both on and off the field. With a focus on inclusivity and intentionality, West Sound Soccer Academy provides a supportive environment where girls can thrive and develop a lifelong love for the game.” — Shane

Grace Rich

At age 4, Grace began playing mini kickers on Bainbridge Island. After moving to California at age six, she competed with Lamorinda Soccer Club in the Bay Area for nine years before returning to Bainbridge Island, where she has played with BIFC for the past three years. Grace has been a varsity soccer team member at BHS throughout high school, serving as captain in her junior and upcoming senior years. As a dual sport athlete, Grace has also played for the Bainbridge Island Water Polo Club, including three years on the varsity high school team. Her involvement in water polo has provided her with coaching opportunities, including two years coaching splashball.

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“I believe that soccer has helped shape me into the leader, friend, and person that I am today. This organization was built to grow each facet of every player and I’m excited that I get to help with this endeavor. I get the unique opportunity as a high schooler to help the younger girls of this island grow into beautiful people through the sport we all love, nurturing a generation of strong females.” — Grace

Laine Romney

Laine has been playing soccer since she was 3 and now plays for the Seattle Reign Academy. She’s a junior in High School, a BHS Girls soccer captain for her upcoming senior year, and plans on playing soccer in college. She has coached recreational soccer and also coached with the BHS Girls soccer booster camp. When she’s not in school or coaching, she’s practicing!

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma (in process)
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma (in process)

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“Like Brandi Chastain said,

“women’s soccer, but women in sports as a whole, are the greatest, deepest, richest well of talent, intellect and future forward thinking that we have.”

It is essential to tap into this talent by creating a safe environment for it to develop. I think West Sound has the resources and mindset to do just that and I am excited to be a part of it!” — Laine

Rachel Samuelian

Rachel played soccer at Union College in New York and began coaching girls soccer teams in 2020. She is currently the Director of Communications & Marketing at IslandWood. 

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma 
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma
• SafeSport Trained Core certified

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“I believe that sports provide a powerful opportunity for girls to build confidence, mental and physical strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging and identity they can lean on throughout their lives. I’m excited to be part of an organization that recognizes that girl athletes need and deserve experiences that were created not only for them to participate, but for them to thrive.” — Rachel

Amy Smith

Amy had her first experience coaching soccer in high school, working with a team of children with special needs. She returned to coaching in 2019 with youth girls soccer teams. She is currently the North America Regional Operations Head for Merck.

• United Soccer Coaches Foundations of Coaching Diploma
• SafeSport Trained Core certified
• United Soccer Coaches 7v7/9v9 Diploma (in process)

Why coach with West Sound Soccer Academy?

“I am passionate about ensuring that girl athletes have an equitable, supportive, and safe space to learn. A place to learn not just the game of soccer, but also what it means to be a teammate and a leader, and how to leverage their athletic experiences and lessons in other areas of their lives as they grow. I’m excited that the vision of this organization also includes nurturing and increasing the leadership and representation of women coaches in our community.” — Amy