Coaches

Katherine Vettori

Katherine Vettori enters her fifth season at the helm of the Towson women's soccer program. Vettori is the sixth head coach since the program was founded.


The 2022 season saw the Tigers hit double digit wins for the first time since 2000 and the second most in a single season with 12. The Tigers reached the CAA Tournament for just the second time in program history getting the semifinal round. Towson allowed just 11 goals against thanks to a strong back line and the CAA Goalkeeper of the year Riley Melendez. Melendez was named to the All-CAA First Team, All-Tournament Team and United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Third Team. In total, five players earned All-CAA honors, two were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, and three earned United Soccer Coaches All-East Region honors.


In 2021, Vettori led Towson to its first winning season since 2007, going 8-7-3 overall including three shutout victories over Atlantic-10 programs: George Washington, Saint Joseph's and Temple. Towson scored 27 goals as a team, tying for ninth in single season program history, also having four players earn All-CAA honors: Nia Christopher (F), Jasmine Hamid (M), Phoebe Canoles (M) and Riley Melendez (GK). Christopher, a member of the Bermuda National Team, was the first Tiger to earn First Team All-CAA since 2014 and the first to earn NCAA DI Women's All-Region honors since 2013.


During the 2020-21 academic year, Towson played a spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Towson made huge strides as a program, earning the team's first ever victory against James Madison plus defeating Delaware to wrap up the home slate. The Tigers had seven freshmen start at least seven of eight games, with four of them earning All-CAA and CAA All-Rookie honors, the most All-CAA players for Towson in a single season in program history. Riley Melendez (GK) and Demi Pierre (M) earned All-CAA Second Team while Nia Christopher (F) and Phoebe Canoles (D) were on the All-CAA Third Team.


In her first year as head coach, Vettori had two student-athletes, Justine Stoner and Jenna Blank, receive All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors. Stoner was named to the CAA All-Third team, while Blank was named to the All-Rookie Team. The following season under Vettori, Jacey Miller also earned All-CAA honors. After being named to the Third Team, she was the third student-athlete to receive the honor in two consecutive seasons.


Vettori also started a partnership in 2020 with the Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS). They offered the first-ever All-Female Referee certification course in the State of Maryland.


Since 2014 Vettori has served as the director for the Vettori Elite Soccer Academy (VESA) in the Towson area. VESA provides individual training, small group training and team training for area clubs. VESA also handles college placement and manages camps, as well as winter leagues for regional youth teams.


Simultaneously, Vettori was the director of coaching and player development with Towson United Girls' Soccer team. In a two-year span, the youth travel program has more than doubled from seven teams to 18. Towson United competes against other high-level clubs as a result of technical and tactical training methods. Several Towson United players have been enrolled in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) while attracting top players from the Greater Baltimore area.


Over the course of five seasons at the helm, Vettori revitalized the women's soccer program at nearby Loyola University Maryland. She guided the Greyhounds to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship game berths in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. In that span, Vettori and the Greyhounds claimed the MAAC title twice, 2009 and 2012, earning the league's automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Tournament. For her efforts in during the 2009 season on Charles Street, Vettori was named MAAC Coach of the Year. Off the field, her student-athletes earned both individual and team academic awards, including the highest team GPA in the Loyola University athletic department in three-straight years (2008-10).


From 2001-08, Vettori was the director of coaching and player development with the Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC), based in Columbia, Maryland. During her tenure, SAC had over 3,200 players between the ages of 4 and 19. SAC rose to prominence in every age group, including a national top-five youth team. Numerous SAC alumnae went on to play for various college programs.


Vettori began her connections in the state of Maryland from 1998-2001 while serving as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland. She helped lead the Terrapins to two second-round appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Vettori briefly stepped in during a transition, serving as the interim head coach from December 1998 until February 1999.


For two years, Vettori was a Region III Olympic Development Coach in southeast. She selected and coached players from 12 states that comprised Region III, which was based in Montevallo, Alabama.


Cutting her teeth in the coach world, Vettori was an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania from 1996-98. In addition to assistant coaching duties, she was an assistant academic advisor within the department. On the pitch, Vettori helped guide the team to its first-ever ECAC Championship in 1997 with a 14-5-0 record. Those 14 wins were then a program record that stood alone for 14 seasons before it was matched in 2011.


A highly accomplished student-athlete at Duke University, Vettori, then Katherine Remy, played for the Blue Devils from 1992-95. In that time, she scored 10 game-winning goals, which still ranks sixth all-time in program history. She also has the second-fastest goal in program history to start a match, striking in just 19 seconds against Maryland during her sophomore campaign. During her career, Vettori notched four goals during the NCAA Tournament, a mark that still ranks fifth all-time at Duke. During her time with the Blue Devils, Duke amassed an overall record of 60-23-7 while reaching the NCAA Tournament in all four seasons. She earned several postseason honors, including All-ACC in 1993 and 1994 and ACC Player of the Week on Oct. 30, 1995. She was a three-year member of the Duke Student-Athlete Honor Roll.


Following her collegiate career, Vettori played in the Women's Professional League and was included in the US National Team Pool and the Olympic Festival Experience.


Vettori earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and sociology from Duke University in May 1996. In May 1998, Vettori earned her Master of Science in higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Matt Dwyer

Matt Dwyer is in his fifth season with Towson as an assistant coach.


The 2022 season saw the Tigers hit double digit wins for the first time since 2000 and the second most in a single season with 12. The Tigers reached the CAA Tournament for just the second time in program history getting the semifinal round. Towson allowed just 11 goals against thanks to a strong back line and the CAA Goalkeeper of the year Riley Melendez. Melendez was named to the All-CAA First Team, All-Tournament Team and United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Third Team. In total, five players earned All-CAA honors, two were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, and three earned United Soccer Coaches All-East Region honors.


Fall 2021 saw Dwyer assist Towson in earning its first winning season since 2007, going 8-7-3 overall including three shutout victories over Atlantic-10 programs: George Washington, Saint Joseph's and Temple. For the second straight season, four players earned All-CAA honors, led by First Team All-CAA and NCAA DI Women's East Region Third Team selection Nia Christopher, the first Tiger to be All-CAA First Team since 2014 and NCAA All-Region since 2013. The team finished with 27 goals on the season, tied for ninth all-time in program history.


In the 2020-21 academic year, Towson played a spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers earned their first-ever program victory over James Madison, also defeating Delaware at home. Four Tigers, all freshmen, were named All-CAA and All-Rookie: Riley Melendez and Demi Pierre on the All-CAA Second Team plus Nia Christopher and Phoebe Canoles on the All-CAA Third Team.

In 2018, Justine Stoner and Jenna Blank were named to the All-CAA teams while in 2019 Jacey Miller also received the honors.


Dwyer also helped spearhead the first ever Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) program at Towson. They offered the first-ever all-female referee certification class.


Dwyer has experience working with elite-level athletes, serving as a private coach for professional player Tyler Lussi of the Portland Thorns FC. The former Princeton University student-athlete was an All-American and selected as the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year on two occasions and is a member of the U23 United States team.


For 10 years, Dwyer was an assistant men’s soccer coach at nearby Loyola University Maryland. He assisted with daily coaching responsibilities and game-day management, while managing compliance requirements and forms. Dwyer oversaw fundraising efforts, all travel arrangements and team equipment and uniforms. For a brief stint from November 2013-February 2014, Dwyer stepped in as the interim head coach of the Greyhounds’ program, helping the team maintain a strong GPA as the fall semester concluded.


From 2003 until 2007, Dwyer was the technical director and head coach for the Baltimore Bays Soccer Association. As the technical director, he oversaw team coaches, ran educational programs to help coaches further develop and sat in on Club board meetings. He worked closely with athletes on techniques and tactics while recruiting players to create and improve teams. Off the field, Dwyer served as a liaison between the board and coaching staff, while also resolving conflicts among players, parents and coaches. Simultaneously for or three years, Dwyer was a volunteer coach and camp coach at Notre Dame of Maryland University with similar duties as with the Baltimore Bays Soccer Association.


In 1996 until 2002, Dwyer was the full time senior coach for the Select/Premier Program of the Lafreniere Soccer Association in Metairie, Louisiana. Duties including teaching techniques and tactics, recruiting players, formal evaluations of every player to build skills and perform at higher levels and assist with program curriculum development. Additionally, he trained assistant coaches and educated parents on game rules and expectations.


Dwyer brings years of coaching experience at various levels to Towson, including time as the head coach of the USL Super Y-League Lafreniere Gamblers and as the head boys’ varsity soccer coach at Archbishop Rummel High School, both in Metairie, Louisiana.


During his playing career, Dwyer made several professional and semiprofessional appearances, including time with the Burnley Football Club in Burnley, Lancashire, England. He played with the club from 1994-97 in both Division 1A and 1B. He was a member of the Club’s Centre of Excellence with the U15 and U16 Youth Professional teams. Additionally, Dwyer played with the Clitheroe Football Club from 1994-96 in the semiprofessional league, played on the First Team at Leeds University and Nelson & Colne College First Team. He was a member of the Colne United semiprofessional team as well.


Off the field, Dwyer twice won the Community Partnership Award from Soccer Without Borders in 2012 and 2013.


Dwyer earned his NSNCAA (now United Soccer Coaches) Master Coach Diploma and UD Mast Coach Certificate. He has also earned his Premier Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches as well as his A-license and a National Youth License from the United States Soccer Federation. From the English Football Association, Dwyer has coaching badges in Sport and Recreation, level 2: Coach and Activity Delivery, Adults and Children, and Laws of the Game (Soccer).


A Towson University alum, Dwyer graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports studies in 2006. He earned his associate’s degree in general studies in 2004 from CCBC Essex.

Brad Hartin

Hartin was hired in February 2018 by head coach Katherine Vettori and now enters into his fifth season with the Tigers.


The 2022 season saw the Tigers hit double digit wins for the first time since 2000 and the second most in a single season with 12. The Tigers reached the CAA Tournament for just the second time in program history getting the semifinal round. Towson allowed just 11 goals against thanks to a strong back line and the CAA Goalkeeper of the year Riley Melendez. Melendez was named to the All-CAA First Team, All-Tournament Team and United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Third Team. In total, five players earned All-CAA honors, two were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, and three earned United Soccer Coaches All-East Region honors.


Fall 2021 saw Hartin assist Towson in earning its first winning season since 2007, going 8-7-3 overall including three shutout victories over Atlantic-10 programs: George Washington, Saint Joseph's and Temple. For the second straight season, four players earned All-CAA honors, led by First Team All-CAA and NCAA DI Women's East Region Third Team selection Nia Christopher, the first Tiger to be All-CAA First Team since 2014 and NCAA All-Region since 2013. The team finished with 27 goals on the season, tied for ninth all-time in program history.


In the 2020-21 academic year, Towson played a spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers earned their first-ever program victory over James Madison, also defeating Delaware at home. Four Tigers, all freshmen, were named All-CAA and All-Rookie: Riley Melendez and Demi Pierre on the All-CAA Second Team plus Nia Christopher and Phoebe Canoles on the All-CAA Third Team.


In 2018, Justine Stoner and Jenna Blank were named to the All-CAA teams while in 2019 Jacey Miller also received the honors.


Hartin also helped spearhead the first ever Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) program at Towson. They offered the first-ever all-female referee certification class.


Prior to his arrival at Towson, Hartin served as the head coach at nearby Division III Notre Dame of Maryland University, beginning in June 2016. Under his guidance, 13 student-athletes earned Fall Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) All-Academic honors. Hartin coached three student-athletes to CSAC All-Conference honors.


Hartin is no stranger to Towson University. During the Spring 2017 semester, he was an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Secondary and Middle Education, teaching a course in Ethics in Education. His responsibilities included, the development of the syllabus, review and evaluate students’ written work and administered exams.


From August 2015 to June 2016, Hartin was an assistant women’s soccer coach at Division III Stevenson University. Duties included assisting the head coach in the development of practice and game strategies, recruitment and evaluation of potential student-athletes and breaking down statistical data for use in training sessions.


Hartin earned his first collegiate head coaching experience at Montgomery College from August 2012 to August 2015. He worked all facets of the program, including player evaluation, recruiting, training plans, game scheduling, fundraising and budget management. The program was ranked in the Division III National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Top 10 and reached the Region XX championship game in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, the team was a Region XX semifinalist in 2012. During his tenure, four student-athletes earned All-America honors. Another 15 student-athletes were named NJCAA All-Region XX Division III Team and 12 student-athletes earned All-Maryland Junior College (MDJUCO) plaudits.


In the club game, Hartin has served as a technical trainer and coach for the Towson United Travel Soccer Club from June 2011 through the present. He served in the same capacity for the Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) from 2001-2011. Hartin has also been a staff member at numerous summer camps throughout the region.


As a collegiate player, Hartin was a member of the program at Division III Lycoming College from 1991-94. During his time in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming never suffered a losing record, amassing a 50-24-4 overall record. In his final season, Hartin helped the Warriors reach the Middle Atlantic Conference championship game, finishing the year with a 16-5-0 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the conference.


In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Lycoming College in 1995, Hartin also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from nearby Goucher College.

No Men's Soccer Program