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Lees-McRae College

Lees-McRae College Dept of Athletics
 191 Main Street or P.O. Box 128 Banner Elk, NC 28604
Division 2 North Carolina Southeast
Private Very Small National competitor
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Coaches

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Taylor Morton

Taylor Morton was named the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Lees-McRae on May 3, 2022 by Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail. Morton was previously serving as an assistant coach on former coach Shane Calvert's staff since 2020.


Throughout his first year on the Lees-McRae coaching staff, Morton’s main responsibilities were to assist in the following: coordinate pre-game preparations, in-game tactical decision-making, developing scouting reports, recruiting domestically and internationally as well as handling travel logistics. These responsibilities will continue over the next year.


Prior to returning to the mountains, Morton obtained NCAA Division I coaching experience as a volunteer assistant on the UNC Greensboro Spartans’ staff that led their program to the Southern Conference regular-season title and a spot in the championship game. In addition to being the main camp director and organizer at UNC Greensboro, Morton assisted in managing pre-game preparations, in-game tactical decision-making and developing scouting reports.


In addition to his experience at Lees-McRae and UNC Greensboro, Morton also served a one-year stint as an assistant coach for Barton College where he assisted with all coaching duties, including creating scouting reports and recruiting. Morton was also a member of the Lees-McRae Bobcats’ soccer team from 2013-2017, appearing in 65 games and serving as one of the team’s main defenders en route to four-consecutive appearances in the Conference Carolinas post-season tournament.

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Zach Aversano

Zach Aversano was hired by Lees-McRae Head Men's Soccer Coach Taylor Morton as an assistant coach on July 6, 2022. Aversano graduated from Lees-McRae College with his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management in 2022, while also being a two-year team captain of the men's soccer program as a student-athlete.


In the fall of 2022, Aversano assisted first-year head coach Taylor Morton as Lees-McRae finished the season with an 8-3-7 overall record and 5-1-5 in Conference Carolinas play. Aversano helped mentor four men's soccer student-athletes as being named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Team with Fletcher Dyson, Jesper Jonsson, Lane Koch, and Gray Smith.


Dyson was also named to Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Men's Soccer All-Southeast First Team in fall 2022 and was recognized on the All-Conference Carolinas First Team also after leading the Bobcats with 25 total points and scoring 10 goals in his sophomore season.


"I am incredibly proud to welcome Zach back to the men's soccer program here in Banner Elk," said Morton. "His experience as a student-athlete will help elevate our program from day one. Zach brings passion and energy to this role that will provide a positive impact on our student-athletes both on and off the field. I'm excited for the future of the Lees-McRae men's soccer program."


Aversano, who joined the Bobcats during the 2020 season, tallied six goals and six assists in 25 games played and was named to the All-Conference Carolinas First Team during his senior season, after finishing seventh in the conference in total points (16) during the season. In addition to his success on the field, Aversano also earned Chi Alpha Sigma status and garnered Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll and D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award honors.


"I want to personally thank Coach Taylor Morton, Craig McPhail, and President Lee King for this opportunity to join the Lees-McRae men's soccer coaching staff," said Aversano. "I have enjoyed every minute of my time in Banner Elk and every chance that I have had on Tate Field, so I am excited to start working with these student-athletes this season and many more to come."


In addition to his success in Banner Elk and with Wofford College, an NCAA Division I men's soccer team he was a part of from 2017-20 (named to the 2017 SOCON All-Freshman Team at Wofford), Aversano also served as a Men's Soccer Camp Coach at the Wando, Lees-McRae, and Wofford camps from 2018-2022 and was a soccer player for the Asheville City Soccer Club in 2021. Aversano also served as a Men's Soccer Camp Coach at the Ralph Lundy Soccer Academy in South Carolina from 2017-22.

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Cam Morton

Assistant Men's Soccer Coach

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College Bound Athletes

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