The EMU women’s soccer team kicked off their spring season with a fresh start, following Athletics Director Carrie Bert’s recent announcement of Leo Alcoreza as the program’s next head coach. Alcoreza comes to EMU with a variety of coaching experience.
Alcoreza is excited for the opportunity “to build a competitive program while creating an environment that is engaging, enjoyable, and deeply valued by our student-athletes, the school, and our supporters,” he said. “I want this to be a program that people are excited to be part of, that fosters growth, passion, and a strong sense of community both on and off the field.”
Leah Beachy, who will be a senior next season, also shared her excitement for the new opportunity. “This coaching change has really proved to be a fresh start and a great opportunity to get our program into a spot to compete well in the fall.”
Alcoreza most recently was the Head Coach for the FSA United FC, which is a member of the Elite Clubs National League, a national youth developmental soccer league. Previous to that, he worked on the boys staff and was Head Coach of Maryland United FC from 2019-2024. He also led the women’s varsity team as Head Coach at Park School of Baltimore. Alcoreza returns to Harrisonburg after graduating from James Madison University (JMU) in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport & Recreation Management.
The women’s soccer program also added Katie Maher as the assistant coach. Maher brings a wealth of experience to the team. She was a goalkeeper for three years at Concord University before she transferred to Limestone University for her senior season. Prior to joining the Royals, she was an assistant coach at Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Alcoreza said, “Katie and I have connected really well from the start, both in terms of personality and our shared vision for the program. Her ambition to help build something special at EMU aligns perfectly with mine, as well as our values on and off the field.” He also noted the value her skill set will bring, “she brings a skill set that complements my own, and together, I believe we can maximize our ability to develop not just players, but well-rounded individuals who thrive in a competitive yet supportive environment.”
The spring season got underway quickly upon Alcoreza’s arrival and has been “incredibly exciting” and given him a chance to implement his vision for how he wants the team to play, he said. He’s been not only impressed by the energy and work ethic of the players, but also seeing the team’s commitment to pushing themselves and each other. “They’re ready for a new chapter, and that mindset is helping us create an environment that will drive the program forward,” Alcoreza said.
“The atmosphere of practices these first few weeks has been lively and full of hope for the future,” Beachy added, “I’m stoked to be a part of this new chapter of EMU women’s soccer.”
