George Mason University

George Mason University Athletics
MS 3A5 4400 University Dr. Fairfax, VA 22030

Division 1 Virginia Northeast

Public Very Large National competitor

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Coaches

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Aaron Brunner

Aaron Brunner was hired as the sixth head coach in the history of the Patriot women's soccer program on December 20, 2023.

A native Virginian with almost 25 years of coaching experience, Brunner won a National Championship with Florida State. An assistant coach for two seasons (2022, 2023), Brunner was part of the Seminoles’ staff that was named the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Coaching Staff of the Year.

The staff led FSU to the greatest season in program history as the Seminoles captured its fourth National Championship while finishing the season undefeated for the first time in program history. The title completes an extraordinary run for the Seminoles in the NCAA Tournament where they outscored their opponents 21-1.

In two seasons at FSU, the staff posted a 39-3-4 record with two ACC Championships, two ACC Tournament Championships, two College Cup appearances and the 2023 National Championship.

The team of coaches helped produce a school record five All-Americans as well as seven All-ACC honorees, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, the ACC Freshman of the Year, two MAC Hermann Semifinalists, one MAC Hermann Finalist and a Honda Sports Award Finalist.

In his first season as an assistant coach at Florida State, Brunner helped lead the Seminoles back to the College Cup with a 17-3-3 record and was named part of the 2022 Atlantic Region Staff of the Year. Brunner coached two All-Americans on the offensive side of the ball (Jenna Nighswonger and Jody Brown).

Prior to Florida State, Brunner served as the ECNL Director, Director of Operations, and Head Coach for Richmond United/Strikers for more than 10 years.

Brunner served on the coaching staff full-time for the girls ECNL before serving as the Richmond United Director of ECNL Operations. He coached multiple Richmond United ECNL Girls Teams, and holds his US Soccer A License, US Soccer Talent Scout License, and US Soccer National Youth License. Brunner was the ECNL National Selection Director and is US Soccer National Coaching Education Instructor.

In 2003, Brunner began coaching youth locally in Virginia with the Prince William SI where he was named the 2009 National Youth Coach of the Year, USYSA Region I Coach of the Year, and VYSA State Coach of the Year while at PWSI.

At the national level, Brunner worked with the United States Women’s Senior National Team as an opponent scout. He has worked with multiple youth national teams within the United States Soccer Federation serving as the Talent ID Scout for the Women’s Youth National Teams (u14, u15 and u17) from 2015 through 2018.

During that time Brunner also served as the U.S. Soccer Training Center Program Liaison for Virginia. He was an opponent scout for the u15 and u17 Women’s National Team during their CONCACAF Championships.

Hailing from Prince William County in Northern Virginia, Brunner played varsity soccer for four years at C.D. Hylton High School. The Bulldogs won two VHSL AAA State championships, three Regional Championships, and four District championships. During one season, team claimed the #1-ranked high school program in the country by NSCAA (now United Soccer Coaches).

The standout received accolades throughout high school, including NSCAA All-South, VHSL 1st Team All-State, Washington Post 1st Team All-Met, and the VHSL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. After graduating, he was a four-year starter for New Hampshire, playing multiple positions, mainly as a winger or attacking center midfielder. He earned All-Tournament Team accolades at Clemson, Penn State, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

After completing his collegiate career and graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. degree in psychology in 2000, Brunner signed with the New Hampshire Phantoms and played one season. Despite his passion for playing soccer, Brunner pursued coaching joining the Seacoast United Soccer Club staff based out of Hampton, New Hampshire, where he earned NHYSA State Coach of the Year.

Brunner’s wife, Kristin Portell, played for George Mason from 2002-2005. They have two children, Owen and Sophie. Aaron likes to spend time with his family and go to sporting events while supporting his Washington sports teams. He plans to live in Gainesville, Va., with his wife and children.

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Christine McBeath

Christine McBeath joined the Women's Soccer Program on February 26, 2024 as an assistant coach following a three year stint at the University of Utah. As an assistant coach at Utah, McBeath worked with the defensive backline. She will be entering her first season with the Patriots in the 2024 season.

"We are thrilled to announce that Christine has recently joined the coaching staff for the George Mason University Women's Soccer team," said George Mason University Women's Head Soccer Coach Aaron Brunner. "With her extensive experience as a 4-year starter at St. John's University, and as an assistant coach at Stanford University and the University of Utah, Christine brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. Her approach towards the student-athlete experience is authentic and genuine, and she is known for her exceptional character, strong work ethic, and dedication towards helping the players both on and off the field. The immediate impact she has had on the team and staff has been tremendous."

Over the course of three seasons, she helped the squad increase its win percentage, both overall and in PAC-12 conference play. In the 2023 season, she guided the Utes to a top-25 win over Arizona State. In the 2022 season, her work with Utah's defensive unit helped the Utes reduce their goals against average from 1.50 to 1.21 and reduced their average number of shots allowed per game from 13.0 to 11.4 .

McBeath came to Salt Lake City after spending the 2020 season at Stanford as a Volunteer Assistant. During her time in California, McBeath was the Girl's Academy Head Coach for the Palo Alto Soccer Club during the 2021 season.

A former standout at St. John's University, she started in 55 of 66 games and was a mainstay for the Red Storm backline. After seeing action in 11 games her first year, McBeath won the starting position and started every game for the rest of her career at St. John's.

In addition to serving as team captain her senior year, McBeath took full advantage of her time as a student-athlete and served on the executive board of St John's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

McBeath, a native of Williamsburg, Va., currently holds a USSF "C" license and graduated from St. John's with a degree in finance from the Tobin College of Business in December of 2019. She lives in Fairfax and is engaged to Tori Christ, who is an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women's soccer program at the University of Michigan.

"I would like to thank Coach Brunner and the George Mason athletic department for this incredible opportunity," said McBeath. "Virginia is home for me, so it's extremely meaningful to be back and to be involved in such a historically successful program. I feel grateful to work with our student athletes and look forward to being a small part in preparing them to be leaders both on and off the field. Go Patriots!"

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Owusu Sekyere

Owusu Sekyere was named as an assistant coach for the George Mason women’s soccer program in February 2023. Owusu Sekyere will be entering his first season with the Patriots in the 2023 season.

"With a professional playing background, quality coaching career so far, and a deep player-centered coaching philosophy, Owusu fits exactly what I am looking for to round out my coaching staff," said head coach Manya Puppione. "I trust him to fit perfectly in with our team and staff culture and also within our athletic department. We look forward to the development and growth our players will have on and off the field with Owusu in the many roles and capacities he will fill with our program."

Owusu Sekyere previously held the title of Volunteer Assistant Coach for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Women's Soccer for two seasons (2021-22). VCU won the program's first Atlantic 10 regular season championship in Owusu Sekyere's first season on staff and tied a school record with nine straight wins and a 13-4-0 final record. In his second season on staff, VCU had another successful season, earning a spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament with an 8-3-8 record.

Additionally, holding a USSF "B" License, Owusu Sekyere served as the Director of Camps and Technical Training for the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club from 2020 to 2023. In this role, he established and oversaw the technical training program and worked to increase the technical proficiency of players of all levels at the club. He also oversaw all of the Richmond Kickers camp programs and served as a youth coach in the youth club's Elite travel program from 2015-23

Owusu Sekyere was a standout four-year starter for the VCU Rams from 2006 to 2009. The Kumasi, Ghana, native saw action in 63 games for the Rams, scoring 12 goals and assisting 15 times as a midfielder.

After four years at VCU, Owusu Sekyere signed with the USL PRO side Charlotte Eagles for the 2014 season, making 28 appearances. Following his season in Charlotte, Owusu Sekyere signed with the USL Championship side Richmond Kickers, where he played from 2015 to 2018 and made 96 appearances.

"I would like to thank Head Coach Manya Puppione and the George Mason University athletic department for this opportunity," said Owusu Sekyere. "I am thrilled to be named the Assistant Coach, and I look forward to helping with the development of our players into successful student athletes on and off the field. I am excited and ready to bring the best out of our team."