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Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst University Athletics
501 E. 38th St. Erie, PA 16546
Division 2 Pennsylvania Northeast
Private Small Competitive team

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Rich Wall

Rich Wall prepares for his second season with the Lakers in 2024 as they begin their DI era and join the Northeast Conference. Wall was named the 7th head coach in the history of the Mercyhurst women's soccer team in December 2022.


In 2023, his first with the Lakers, the women’s soccer program experienced an explosion of success. The program exited the PSAC and Division II with a season to remember. Together Coach Wall and the Lakers went 16-4-1 (their most wins since 2006), claimed the 2023 PSAC West Division championship, and qualified for the NCAA National Tournament. For their efforts, Karah Van Horn earned PSAC West Athlete of the Year and was a Scholar All-American. Additionally, Maddie Elbro claimed her second career PSAC Defensive Player of the Year. In total, 5 Lakers were selected to All-Region teams, and 6 were chosen to All-PSAC teams. The program also finished with the Best Team GPA for Women’s Soccer in the PSAC. As a result of the team’s success, Coach Wall was named the 2023 PSAC West Division Coach of the Year.


With greater than a decade of coaching experience, Wall arrived to Mercyhurst having previously coached at various NCAA Division I and II programs, as well as the semi-pro level. Most recently, Wall was the associate head coach at Coastal Carolina for the 2022 season.


Prior to Coastal Carolina, Wall spent two seasons at the University of Cincinnati as the assistant women’s soccer coach and director of recruiting. Wall coached Ashley Barron, a two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year and seven all-AAC performers, while leading the Bearcats to the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championship game. In both seasons with the Bearcats, they finished with United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards, and were top-80 in the NCAA National RPI. During his time in Cincinnati, he also coached the Ohio Elite 2006 ECNL Girls team which won the Ohio Valley Conference South Division championship and qualified for the 2022 ECNL National Playoffs Champions League.


In 2019, Wall was the assistant women’s soccer coach at Ball State University. In his lone season at Ball State, the program went 15-5 overall, with 3 top-100 victories. The 15-wins matched a program record, and they finished 69th in the NCAA National RPI. With Ball State, they led the MAC for best Goal Against Average (0.85) and were top-3 for Goals Scored (34). The team also qualified for the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award and place 4 players on the All-MAC 1st and 2nd Teams.


From 2015-2018, Wall was the head men’s soccer coach at Lees-McRae College. During this period the program compiled an overall record of 35-33-5. The 3-time Conference Carolinas Semifinalists were also regionally ranked during the 2015, 2017, and 2018 seasons. In 2017, the program peaked at #12 in the NCAA DII National Rankings. His teams earned 4 consecutive NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards. Additionally, he coached 4 major award winners: the 2017 and 2018 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year (Tom Deeley and Pol Vassart), the 2017 Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year (Johannes Oeksnevad), and the 2015 Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year (James Abraham). In 2018, Wall was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30-Under-30 program.


Prior to his first head coaching stint, he was an assistant men’s soccer coach at Brevard College (2014), Belmont Abbey College (2013), and Gardner-Webb University (2012).


Outside of the collegiate ranks, he is currently the Erie Commodores FC NPSL head coach. From 2015-2019, he spent time as a coach in the USL League Two as an assistant with the Tri-Cities Otters (2017-2019) and held various coaching roles during his two seasons with West Virginia United. He helped West Virginia reach the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup during the 2015 campaign. Wall has also been a youth soccer coach with the New York Red Bulls Training Programs and the North Carolina Olympic Development Program.


Wall played collegiately at Gardner-Webb University and Wingate University in North Carolina and saw action in 70 matches. His highlights include the game-winning assist in GWU’s first ever win against an ACC opponent vs. Clemson in 2009, the game-winning goal against UNC-Asheville in 2011. In six career Big South Tournament matches, he contributed 2 goals and 2 assists, including an assist in the 2011 Big South Tournament Championship.


Wall graduated from Gardner-Webb with a bachelor's degree in sport management. Additionally, Wall has earned the United States Soccer Federation A-Senior License, and the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma.


Rich resides in Erie with his wife, Jessica, and 3-year-old son, Tre.

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Kayla McNamara

Erie, PA- Head Coach Rich Wall has announced the addition of Kayla McNamara as the new Assistant Coach for Mercyhurst Women’s Soccer. Most recently serving as the assistant women’s soccer coach at Division II Pitt-Johnstown, McNamara brings a wealth of experience to the staff.


As a player, McNamara began her collegiate career at Emerson College before transferring to Clarion University. After graduating from Clarion in 2022, McNamara continued her career at Rome City Institute in Rome, Italy, where she enrolled in graduate school. While in Italy, McNamara trained with several local professional women’s teams and began developing as a coach.


When asked about the acquisition, head coach Rich Wall commented that “I’m excited to add Coach McNamara to our program. She comes highly recommended by coaches that have worked with her professionally, and that have coached her at the collegiate level. Kayla is an up-and-coming coach, that will bring energy, and knowledge to the office, training ground, and on match days. Her unique familiarity of our program from her playing and coaching experiences while competing in the PSAC will be helpful, as she’s aware of our programs DNA from a scouting perspective.”


McNamara is equally as excited and states that “I’m very excited and honored to be joining the Mercyhurst women’s soccer program. I want to thank Coach Wall for this opportunity to work alongside him and contribute to the team’s success. I’m eager to work with the staff and the talented female athletes as we make the jump into Division I this fall.”


McNamara earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management with a Minor in Media from Clarion University in 2022 and earned her Master’s Degree in Sports Management and Coaching from Rome City Institute in 2023.

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Gustavo Gutierrez

Gustavo “Gus” Gutierrez joins the women’s soccer coaching staff ahead of the 2023 season. As the graduate assistant, he will work closely with the rest of the coaching staff to gain experience in many areas. Additionally, he will serve as the goalkeeper coach.


Prior to his arrival, he spent one year as a goalkeeper coach with Kings Hammer FC. Gutierrez recently graduated from Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Oh. During his four year playing career with the Lions, he made 50 appearances and recorded 217 saves while a single-season career high of 72 saves in 2022.


“Gus came highly recommended from the Director of Goalkeeping for Kings Hammer FC, Lou Liberatore, for his knowledge of the goalkeeper position, and his attention to detail as a young coach that wants to get better," Said Head Coach Rich Wall. "These traits aligned with what we sought for the position, and will provide a greater training and development experience for our goalkeepers moving forward.”

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