Meet our Coaches!
Coach Nirsberger
Coach Nirsberger is entering her 4th season as Coach and Director of 970 United FC. She has an extensive coaching background and has been coaching at Shen for 22 seasons. She holds an impressive 267-63-16 record and has won 7 Suburban Council Championships, 4 Section II Championships, 3 Regional Championships, and 1 State Championship. A few of her coaching accolades include:
Suburban Council Coach of the Year
Section II Coach of the Year
New York State Class AA Coach of the year
NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year
NSCAA New York State Coach of the Year
As a player, she was inducted into the Plattsburgh High School Hall of Fame in **** as well as the SUNY Cortland Hall of Fame in 2023.
Coach Jones
Coach Jones is entering her 4th season with 970 United and has been with the club since its inception in 2019. Coach Jones is a former Shen alum with over 35 years of playing experience. She was a four year Shenendehowa Varsity team member from 1994 - 1998. She led the team to two Sectional Championships and took a trip to the NYS State Championship in 1996, where they fell to Northport in the State Championship final. She was awarded First Team New York State in 1996 & 1997 and was the 1997 Troy Record Player of the Year. She went on to play Division I at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where the team was ranked 17th in the country in 2000. She finished her D1 college career with 55 starts, 14 goals and 16 assists and was the second team leading scorer in 2001. A few of her collegiate accolades include:
Six-Time Member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioners Honor Roll
Six-Time Member of the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll
Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team in 2001
All-Atlantic 10, 2nd Team in 2001
Awarded to the NSCAA / Adidas College Scholar East Regional Team in 2000
Following her college career she played semi-pro in the WPSL for the New York Athletic Club from 2003 - 2006. She coached U12 Girls at Downtown United Soccer Club in New York City, and spent many years coaching at the Super Soccer Stars Academy.
Coach Szeli
Coach Szeli has an extensive career in the soccer world. He grew up in Newburgh, NY and played soccer at the College of Saint Rose from 2003 - 2007 where he was team captain both his junior and senior years.
United Soccer Coaches National Diploma
United Soccer Coaches Advanced Regional Diploma
Shenendehowa Girls Varsity Assistant Coach 2022-Present
970 United FC Coach 2022-Present
Shenendehowa Girls JV Coach 2021
Union College Men's Assistant Coach 2009, 2013-2018
Shenendehowa Boys Freshman Coach 2012
Shenendehowa Boys Varsity Assistant Coach 2010-2011
NY Elite FC Boys Coach 2013-2021
Bethlehem Knights Premier Coach 2007-2012
U20 USASA National Cup Championship with Bethlehem Knights Premier 2010
U10 Technical Director Bethlehem Knights Premier 2009-2012
