Barbara Goleman Senior High School welcomes the new head coach for girls soccer, Melissa Guerra, to the Gator family. A self-proclaimed fan of Barcelona, the soccer coach has vast experience in playing and coaching. She hopes to create the mindset of champions at Goleman’s field.
Guerra, a native of Venezuela and longtime residident of Miami Lakes, grew up with a love for soccer having been surrounded by it within her culture and in watching her brother play.
At 12, Guerra’s parents allowed her to play and in three short years she began coaching at a local after school organization, teaching very young players the foundations for soccer. While coaching after school, Guerra continued playing, eventually becoming the starting forward and team captain from 2001 to 2003 for Pace High School’s soccer team.
Following her high school graduation, Guerra became the head coach for the Lady Patriots U12 team for the PSN Soccer Club, the same team she had played in her youth as a starting forward. Similar to her roles in high school, Guerra continued coaching as she played as a starting forward for St. Thomas University’s All-Conference team, making three appearances at NAIA championship games.
After accepting a position as the Youth Director of Coaching for A.L.M. Sports LLC, a role she held simultaneously with coaching the Miami Lakes Soccer Club’s U10 Travel Team, Guerra then became assistant coach for the women’s soccer team at Florida Memorial University. In addition to coaching the girls soccer team at Goleman, Guerra is head coach for the boys U6 and U8 team at Cubillas, Inc.
Guerra earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Tourism-Hospitality Management from St. Thomas University and worked outside of the sports world while continuing to harbor a deep love for soccer. Eventually deciding to start her own business, Guerra opened a 24 hour traffic school in Miami Lakes but was never quite able to shake the bug for playing and coaching soccer.
After building an extensive resume in coaching, and a rapport with local parents whose children she had taught, Guerra was nominated by parents of Goleman students who were looking to fill an open position for the girls soccer head coach.
Straightforward and determined, when asked what her vision is for the team this season Guerra said “We are working with an end in mind, which is to win.”
Apart from ferocity, it’s easy to note Guerra has enormous love and respect for the sport. The Goleman girls soccer program is made up of one varsity team including girls from all grade levels.
“This team is all about unity,” said Guerra. “That is one of the ingredients necessary to succeed, to play and think as one. Off the field they have the determination and the desire, and I want to bring that on the field. I’ll be going over fundamental learning and developing them for success.”
Guerra said she hopes to ignite a fire in her team that will motivate them to pursue soccer in college. Goleman’s girls soccer team began the season on October 3 and will be playing their first game at home against Miami Jackson Senior High School on November 3.