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Niagara University

Niagara University Athletic Department
 Upper Level Gallagher Center, P.O. Box 2009 Niagara Falls, NY 14109
Division 1 New York Northeast
Private Small National competitor
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Coaches

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Peter Veltri

Peter Veltri enters his 25th season at the helm of the Niagara women’s soccer program after being introduced as the fifth head coach in program history prior to the 1999 season.


Veltri has led Niagara to over 200 wins during his tenure, including the programs lone MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.


He has earned MAAC Coach of the Year honors three times. Veltri earned the nod in his first season at Niagara (1999) and again following the 2003 and 2005 campaigns. He was also named 2005 Runner-Up Coach of the Year for the Northeast Region by SoccerBuzz.


In 2022, Veltri led the Purple Eagles to their first MAAC Championship title game appearance since 2009 after defeating Marist and Fairfield in the quarterfinal and semifinal contests. Niagara set a program-record shutout streak of 661:46 that included six-straight shutouts.


Under Veltri, the Purple Eagles have 11 seasons with at least double-digit wins and 12 with five or more wins in conference play.


In his 23 seasons, Veltri has mentored nine major award winners, 22 All-MAAC First Team, 31 All-MAAC Second Team, two All-MAAC Third Team, and 26 MAAC All-Rookie Team selections.


Notably, Veltri mentored ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA All-American Brittany Bisnott in 2006, NCAA goals per game leader Rosie Luzak in 2002 and most recently Florence Vaillancout who, in 2021, became the first Purple Eagle to earn MAAC Offensive Player of the Year since Bisnott in 2007.


Veltri’s coaching experience includes stints at Keuka College (1996-98) and as co-head coach at Bethany College (1996) and Brooke High School (1993-96). Veltri was named the West Virginia Coach of the Year and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) Coach of the Year after helping the Brooke Bruins to the OVAC title.


A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Veltri graduated from Bethany College in 1993 after lettering on the nationally ranked men’s soccer team from 1989 to 1992. He played in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including two NCAA semifinals.


Veltri’s playing experience included a year with a semi-professional team in Cosenza in Southern Italy in 1989. During high school in Hamilton, Veltri was a member of the U-16 and U-18 Canadian National pool, which represented Canada in tournaments around North America. He trained in the Canadian National program for three years and was involved in the national pool of players selected for the FIFA U-16 World Cup.

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Kendra Jones

Kendra Jones joined the Niagara University Women's Soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach in March of 2023.


Jones previously served as the head coach of Washington & Jefferson, a Division III program in Washington, Pa., for the last four seasons. As head coach, she led the Presidents to a 23-24-13 overall record, including a 15-10-9 President's Athletic Conference (PAC) record.


While at the helm, the Presidents made the PAC postseason three out of four seasons, including an appearance in the 2021 semifinals after earning the program's first PAC tournament win in 11 years, a 1-0 double overtime victory against Waynesburg.


Under Jones' tutelage, 15 Presidents were named to All-PAC teams, and the program received a 2022 Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award from the United Soccer Coaches.


Before being named head coach at Washington & Jefferson, Jones served as the program's assistant coach in 2018. Her coaching experience also includes stints with Beadling Soccer Club, Impact Soccer (Australia), Hampton Junior Soccer Club (Australia), Bayside United Football Club (Australia), Heidelberg United Football Club (Australia), Brazilian Soccer School (Australia), Big 5 Sports, 1MINDSET, Philadelphia Union Summer Select, Hershey High School, and One on One Soccer.


Jones played collegiate soccer at American and Villanova. In 55 career games, Jones notched four goals, an assist, and nine points.


After graduating from Villanova in 2013, Jones, a Hershey, Pa., native, played professionally in Australia, the Czech Republic, and the United States.

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Marissa Birzon

Marissa Birzon joined the Purple Eagles as an Assistant Coach in July of 2023.


Birzon will help coordinate and oversee camps and clinics, community service, and implement leadership strategies. She will coach and support practices and games throughout the season.


Prior to NU, Birzon graduated with degrees in marketing and leadership from The Ohio State University. Birzon was a four-time Scholar Athlete on the Women’s Soccer team. She competed in five seasons for the Buckeyes from 2017-2021. Birzon was a two-time Captain, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and Dean’s List honoree. Birzon helped drive the Buckeyes to four NCAA Tournament appearances, four Big Ten conference tournaments and a Big Ten Championship. Birzon has also spent time working for the Columbus Crew and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.


A Williamsville East graduate, Birzon was a three-time Captain, State Player of the Year, two-time WNY Player of the Year, two-time All Bee Player of the Year, a three-time All-State selection and a record holder for goals in a single season and career goals.


Birzon is currently working on earning her U.S. Soccer Federation “D” License. She resides in Buffalo, NY.

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