Directors of Coaching

Luis Giovanni Paz “Coach Gio” – Boys Director of Coaching

Coach Gio has over 15 seasons of experience developing players, from local recreation leagues to the semi-professional level. He currently serves as Head Coach of the Atlantic Cape Community College Men’s Soccer program and Goalkeeper Coach for Stockton University Women’s Soccer, providing a direct pathway from youth and high school sports to the next level. He is also the owner of Paz Futbol, located at The Pack in Galloway, where he offers semi-private training focused on technical skills and strength & conditioning.

Coaching Philosophy: The lessons we teach young athletes in sports build the character they carry into life.

Dino Kadriu – Girls Director of Coaching

A graduate of Rutgers University, his coaching career began with Hamilton Elite FC, where he served as Head Coach for the 2002 Girls (2016–2020) and 2003 Boys (2015–2016). He joined New Jersey Surf in 2022, working as Assistant Coach for the 2005 Girls (2022–2023), Head Coach for the 2006 Girls (2022–2023), Assistant Coach for the 2007 Girls (2022–2025), Head Coach for the 2009 Girls White (2024–2025), Assistant Coach for the 2009 Girls Blue (2024–present), and Assistant Coach for the 2016 Girls (2025–present). Since 2022, he has also been with Atlantic United Premier FC, serving as Head Coach for the 2010 EDP Boys and, beginning in 2025, the 2015 EDP Boys.

Atlantic United Premier FC Training Staff

Alexis Mendoza

Alexis Mendoza currently serves as Head Coach of Absegami High School Boys Soccer, Assistant Coach for Stockton University Men’s Soccer, and Sporting Director of Atlantic City FC. Mendoza began his head coaching career at Glassboro High School (2020–2022), where he led the team to the Group 1 South Jersey Final in 2022. He took over as Head Coach at Absegami in the fall of 2023 while simultaneously joining the Stockton Men’s Soccer staff, where he contributes to recruiting and game day operations. As Head Coach of Atlantic City FC in 2023 and 2024, Mendoza became the winningest coach in club history. In 2025, he transitioned to Sporting Director, helping guide the team to an Eastern Conference Final appearance in The Leagues for Clubs. Mendoza is excited to bring his experience and passion for player development to Atlantic United under its new leadership and vision.

Wes Raywood

Coach Wes brings over 30 years of soccer knowledge and experience, including a 15-year playing career. His background spans a wide range of roles—Director of Coaching, head coach, trainer, scout, and video analyst—both in Europe and the United States. He has worked across every level of the game, from grassroots and travel to academy and professional environments, including time with Everton FC, Lincoln Ladies, and the Philadelphia Union Youth. Currently, Coach Wes serves as the Head Women’s Coach at Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) and contributes to player development as a New Jersey ODP coach and East Region support coach.

Kelsey Kasunich

Kelsey played outside back for most of her career under Kris Anderson, competing with NJSA Storm—formerly Air Storm—while at Atlantic United. At Absegami High School, she earned CAL First Team All-Conference honors three years in a row, along with All South Jersey First and Second Team recognition. She was recruited to play Division I soccer at Iona College before transferring to Rutgers–Camden University (Division III), where she received NJAC Honorable Mention and served as team captain in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Her coaching career began with Hamilton Elite (2016–2019), mentoring under Kris Anderson, Byron Carmichael, and Dino Kadriu while leading the 2000 Girls and competing in top showcases. During this time, she also trained U8–U13 boys and girls for Seneca United. In 2022, she joined Atlantic United as trainer for the 2011 Kickers, becoming co-coach with Eric Kasunich in 2023; the team now competes as the 2010 Girls EPD.

Eric Kasunich

A lifelong player, Eric has been coaching for 11 years and is US Club certified. From 2015–2017, he served as Varsity Assistant and Goalkeeper Coach for Absegami Boys Soccer, before becoming Head Coach for Hamilton Elite Boys from 2017–2020, where he also worked as a Goalkeeper Trainer. During this time, he trained with Seneca United and, beginning in Fall 2022, took on the role of Goalkeeper Trainer for Surf Soccer. He currently serves as Varsity Assistant and Goalkeeper Coach for Absegami Girls Soccer, Goalkeeper Trainer for Atlantic United Premier, and Head Coach of the Atlantic United Premier 2010 Kickers.

Alicia Downey-Hall

A standout player and coach, she began her career with Lacey Independent Magic, winning three state championships, making three regional appearances, and reaching the 2004 Regional Final. At Holy Spirit High School (2001–2004), she was a three-time 1st Team All CAL, two-time 1st Team All Parochial, South Jersey Non-Public finalist (2003, 2004), and Cape Atlantic League Champion (2004). She earned 1st Team All South Jersey, 2nd Team All State, AC Press Girls Soccer Player of the Year (2003 & 2004), and was named AC Press Athlete of the Year (2004), while also being identified by the U-17 National Team. At Rutgers University (2005–2008), she was 2nd Team All Big East and All Mid-Atlantic (2006), Rutgers MVP (2006), team captain (2007–2008), 1st Team All Big East and 2nd Team All Mid-Atlantic (2008), ranked 6th all-time in game-winning goals (9), and earned invites to the WPSL combine (2008) and Philadelphia Independence Training Camp (2009). Playing semi-professionally with the AC Diablos (2006–2009), she was a four-time Player of the Week and 2nd Team All WPSL (2006, 2007). Transitioning to coaching, she led Holy Spirit High School (2011–2022) to three conference titles (2016, 2017, 2022), a 2015 South Jersey Non-Public B Final, the 2016 SJ Non-Public B Championship, and the 2016 State Final, earning AC Press Coach of the Year (2016) and compiling a career record of 135-73-9.

Delaney Crawford

Delaney played four years of collegiate soccer at Hood College before beginning her coaching career in 2024 as an assistant coach at Holy Spirit High School. She is now in her second season with Atlantic United, coaching the 2015/16 Girls team.

Allie Tierney

Allie played forward for most of her career, beginning with Atlantic United before joining Hamilton Elite FC’s academy team under Kris Anderson and Dino Kadriu. At Absegami High School, she earned Second Team All-Conference honors twice, was named Offensive Player of the Year, and received CAL Second Team recognition. She went on to play four years at Kutztown University as a forward and midfielder, competing in the highly competitive PSAC. During her tenure, the team qualified for the conference and national tournaments every year, reaching the Elite Eight, maintaining a top-20 national ranking, and at one point earning the #1 national ranking in Division II women’s soccer.

Chase Spencer

Chase Spencer, 23, from Mays Landing, NJ, founded 37Training to deliver high-quality soccer training through private, group, and team sessions in South Jersey. He has coached with Matus Training and Amazing Athletes, and currently serves as Assistant Coach for Atlantic Cape CC Men’s Soccer and trainer at The Pack SSC. An Oakcrest alum and Kutztown University graduate with a B.S. in Sport Management and a minor in Coaching Administration, he led Kutztown’s Men’s Club Soccer team as president for four years.

Mason Sommers

Coach Mason has been playing soccer since the age of four and brings a lifelong passion for the game. He was the starting center back for EHT in 2022, helping the team make a strong playoff run, and went on to serve as captain of ACCC in Fall 2023. Mason is a USSF D License coach and is committed to continuing his growth along the coaching pathway.

Burak Cimen

An alumnus of Egg Harbor Township High School, Burak enters his second year on the EHT boys’ soccer coaching staff. A former team captain in his senior year, Burak brings over a decade of competitive playing experience, having competed with travel programs such as Cape Express, Mainland United, and the EHT Tigers. He now looks to channel his knowledge and passion for the game into guiding, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of players.