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York College of Pennsylvania

York College Athletics
 441 Country Club Rd York, PA 17405
Division 3 Pennsylvania Northeast
Private Small National competitor
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Coaches

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Kelly Wakeman

On April 17, 2020, York College Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation Paul Saikia announced the hiring of Kelly Wakeman as the new women's soccer coach for the Spartans. Wakeman takes over for long-time head coach Vicki Sterner who announced her retirement in November after 24 years at the helm of the program.


Wakeman will be just the second head coach in the history of the Spartan program.


Wakeman comes to York with an extensive record of success and 12 years of collegiate head coaching experience. She most recently was the head coach at Muhlenberg College where the Mules went 16-15-4 during her tenure.


Wakeman inherited a team that advanced to the Capital Athletic Conference championship game as York went 9-13. The Spartans had eight one-goal losses during the campaign. Wakeman will welcome back eight starters including both goalkeepers and All-CAC defender Moriah Morton.


After having the 2020 season wiped out by COVID, the Spartans got back on the field in 2021 and advanced to their first MAC Commonwealth championship game. York finished with an overall mark of 13-7 including 5-3 in the Commonwealth regular season. Wakeman mentored four All-MAC Commonwealth selections as Caitlyn Findlay, Moriah Morton, Jenna Cholowinski, and Megan Stoltzfus were honored by the league.


"From the moment I was introduced to the athletics community at York College, I was impressed with their work ethic, values, friendliness, and competitive nature," said Wakeman. "I am excited to be part of a strong athletic department and look to build on past successes."


Wakeman began her head coaching career at Montgomery College. In her first year, she took a team that had won one game in the previous season to a mark of 7-10. The Raptors then won 14 matches in back-to-back years. The program won a regional championship in 2008 and were national finalists in 2009. After a 17-win season and a regional championship in 2010, Wakeman led Montgomery to a national championship in 2011.


Wakeman then was hired at Ursinus College where she posted 38 wins in five years including a pair of Centennial Conference semifinal appearances in 2014 and 2015. Wakeman then headed to Widener for one year where the Pride went 12-7 and advanced to the ECAC Tournament in 2017.


Wakeman knows what she wants out of her Spartan squads.


"We want to develop a team culture that is relentless in its pursuit of excellence both on the field and in the classroom," says Wakeman. "Tough, competitive, caring student-athletes that want to maximize their potential, celebrate achievements, and be a part of a positive, focused environment are the type of athletes we want on the women's soccer team at York."


Wakeman is 13-7 heading into her third year with the fall of 2022.

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Al Chesnavage

Al Chesnavage is in his 16th year on the Spartan women's soccer coaching staff after a career as a highly respected coach in the Southern Pennsylvania region. Chesnavage is familiar with the Spartan program as his daughter Maria is one of the best players to ever don the green and white.


He owns an impressive playing resume as he attended and played at the University of Baltimore, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1979. He continued his playing career in the Maryland Major Soccer League.


He brings a wealth of coaching experience highlighted by leading the Kennard-Dale Rams to a 2004 YAIAA County Championship, the first time a Division II team won the title. The Rams repeated their division championship in 2005 as they went 9-0-1 for the year. Chesnavage is currently the president of the Barrens Travel Soccer Club where he also coaches. He has led his various travel teams to six championships in different age brackets. He is currently coaching a U-17 and U-13 York County Girls Elite teams.


Chesnavage is responsible for assisting in all aspects of the women's soccer program and is a very visible face on the recruiting trails for York.

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