The Elite staff strives to build self-confidence, teamwork, high skill level and strong leadership skills in every player. Each staff member has a passion for the sport and is focused on providing a positive environment for girls in SWMO to grow as players and young ladies.
Meet the Staff:
Lindsay Paulsell—Director of Coaching, 95 and 96 Head Coach
Lindsay hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma where soccer is almost a religion. Playing club soccer since she was 6, Lindsay has had a very long successful career. After receiving many honors on both the high school and club pitch, Lindsay headed down I44 to play collegiate soccer for Drury College. Lindsay started three years for Drury before she succummed to a serious injury that ended her career before her senior year. Not wanting to let go of soccer, Lindsay began coaching. 16 years later, Lindsay has put together a lengthy coaching resume:
1999-2000- Graduate Assistant Coach for Northwest Missouri State University women’s soccer
1996-present- Coached Club soccer for local teams, Tracker SC, JB Marine SC and now Missouri Elite
2000-2002- Assistant Varisty Coach for Kickapoo HS girls
2002-2006- Head Varsity Coach for Marshfield HS boys and girls programs
Lindsay lives in Springfield with her husband, Chris and their 3 dogs.
Christy Kononiuk- Youth Director, Head Coach 01 and 99 Teams
Christy has played soccer since the age of 6. Went on to play High School at North Mesquite HS in Mesquite, Tx. Earned MVP. Injured during her senior year and did not pursue soccer at the collegiate level. Has coached for 19 years at all ages and levels and began her coaching career in Newnan, GA. She currently holds: USSF National 'D' License, USSF 'E' and 'F' Certificate, NSCAA Advanced Regional Level 6 Diploma, and the NSCAA Level 2 Diploma. Attended the National Coaches Convention 2012 and 2013 in which she earned the High School Professional Development Certificate.
Dilan Chastain—Staff Coach, 2000 girls Head Coach
John "Dilan" Chastain played his high school soccer at Marshfield High, under Missouri Elite DOC Lindsay Paulsell, where he earned multiple All Conference and All District honors over his career as a defensive back. He continued his playing career at the collegiate level at Lindenwood University (D2) in St. Louis before transferring to Missouri State University to finish his Bachelors Degree in Finance and Economics and Masters in Health Care Administration. Dilan currently resides in Springfield with his wife, fellow ELITE staff coach Alyssa Chastain, and works as a Financial Analyst and Project Manager for the corporate arm of CoxHealth.
Favorite MLS team: Seattle Sounders Favorite Men's Player: John Terry
Favorite Women's Player: Ali Krieger
Coaching Certifications:
USSF "C" license - 2013
USSF "D" license - 2012
NSCAA National Goalkeeping - 2010
NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping -2010
USSF "F" license - 2009
Coaching Experience:
Ozark High Varsity Asst. 2008-2009
Ozark High JV Coach 2009-2010
Ozark Middle Girls Middle School 2009
Missouri Elite FC 99 - 2009-2010
Missouri Elite FC 96 - 2010-2011
Missouri Elite FC 00 - 2010- current
Alysan Burgbacher—Staff Coach (Away At College)
Mike Gunnels—Staff Coach
Mike, a 1990 graduate from Drury University, has been coaching soccer for over 12 years. His coaching career began in Sevierville, TN where he volunteered as a coach in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) recreational program. In the fall of 2002, he helped organize the Sevier County extension of the Blount United Soccer Club and was an assistant coach for the U11 girls team. Mike and his family moved back to Springfield, MO in June of 2003. At that time he helped establish the club that is now Missouri Elite FC (formerly JB Marine – Springfield) and he has been helping as an assistant coach for the club teams for the past seven years. The majority of his time has been spent as the assistant coach for the Elite HSG teams, but he has also spent time helping coach the 2000 team and the 2004/2005 teams. In the winter, Mike normally serves as the head coach for the club’s indoor teams; and in the summer, he has been the coach for many of the club’s 3v3 teams. In addition to his club coaching responsibilities, Mike served as the head coach for the Ozark Middle School girls teams from 2004-2006, the Ozark Middle School boys teams from 2008-2009, and the Ozark High School girls indoor teams from 2007-2010. Mike’s favorite professional club team is Liverpool and his favorite professional player is currently David Villa, the striker for the Spanish national team. Mike’s daughter, Megan, was a member of the Elite ’92 team and will be a junior this fall at Westminster College. Megan is a member of the Westminster women’s soccer team and has earned 2nd team all-conference recognition as as freshmand and sophomore. Mike’s son, Sam, is a junior at Ozark High School. Mike, his wife Laura, and their two children live in Ozark, MO.
Alyssa Chastain— Staff Coach, Head Coach of 06 Team
Jessie Yach— Staff Coach
Allie Thomas— Staff Coach, Head Coach of 04 Team
Jeff Reinold- Staff Coach, Asst. Coach of 04 team
Kait Loney - Staff Coach, Goal Keeping Coach, Head Coach 97 Team
Originally from Wichita, KS, Kait began playing soccer at age 4 and began playing goalkeeper around age 7. Kait earned numerous awards throughout her beginning years of soccer and high school. She was selected to Kansas ODP team two years in a row. While attending Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Kait earned all-city honors three years in a row, all-region honors for two years and was selected as an All-State goalkeeper for Kansas her Sophomore year.
After high school, Kait signed with York College in York, NE. While at York, Kait played both on the field and as goalkeeper. During her career, Kait earned several player of the week honors as well as being elected an Academic All-American for three years. Additionally, Kait was elected as the MCAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year 2010 in her senior year.
In May of 2010, Kait graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. She continued her education and moved to Springfield, MO. In December of 2012, Kait earned her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology. Kait began coaching her coaching career in Summer 2012 for Missouri Elite.