Coaches are the key to developing excellence and sportsmanship in every child who participates in the club.
Coaching Staff
Ian Peña
Director of Coaching & Player Development
- US Soccer A, B, C, D, E, F Licenses
- M.A. Ed. Adapted Physical Education
- 22 Years Coaching Experience
- Ohio South Girls' Coach of the Year 2006
- US Youth Soccer Region II Coach
- Ohio State ODP Coach/License Instructor
- High School and College Coaching Experience
- Played at St. Andrews College
- All Carolina Conference, All District
- Played in Trinidad & Tobago – Caledonia AIA
Email: [email protected]
Pete Fruechtnicht
- US Soccer C, D, E, F Licenses
- United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma
- United Soccer Coaches National Diploma
- US Soccer National Youth License
- NSCAA Regional and State Goalkeeping Diplomas
- ISPAS Level 1 Performance Analyst
- Over 20 Years Coaching Experience
- Current Ohio State ODP Coach
- Played US Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) for 6 years
Aboubacar Diawara (Riki)
- US Soccer D, E, F Licenses
- 15 Years Coaching Experience
- High School and WPSL Coaching Experience
- Columbus Eagles WPSL Assistant Coach
- Former Ohio South ODP Coach
- Played Baraka FC of Guinea D1
- Played ULB Lokeren Belguim
- Played Westchester New York "A League"
Kathe Theisen
- Women's Soccer Head Coach, Big Walnut HS
- US Soccer D, E, F Licenses
- US Soccer National Youth License
- Current Ohio District and State ODP Coach
- Over 20 Years Coaching Experience in Ohio & Virginia
Ekow Dennis
- US Soccer D, E, F Licenses
- Played at Wilmington College
- All Time Leading Scorer
- 4 Time All American
- Inductee to Wilmington College NAIA Athletics Hall of Fame
- Over 20 years of coaching experience
- High School and ODP Coaching Experience
Grace Weidenhamer
- Played at St. Francis University(2019)
- Played at Otterbein University(2020-2022)
- All-Conference honors and 2x Conference Champion(Ohio Athletic Conference)
- Girl's Junior Varsity Head Coach, Big Walnut High School
- Girl's Varsity Assistant Coach, Big Walnut High School
- Freedom Soccer Club Alum
Carlie Meyer
- Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training, Coaching minor
- Master's in Sports and Fitness Administration
- Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
- 6 Years Coaching experience
- Played at Anderson University
-- All Decade Team 2000-2010
-- Captain 2008-2009
-- Ironman Award (most minutes played)
- 15 years of providing medical coverage for Division 1, High School, and Youth soccer players
Shelby Jude
- US Soccer D, E, F License
- Current Ohio District and State ODP Coach
- Played at Denison University
- Played 2 years with Columbus Eagles FC, WPSL
- starter on the Freedom team which won a National Championship in 2010
Maria Miller
- Played at Wittenberg University
- Wittenberg captain for 3 years
- Earned the Iron Tiger award
- Former Freedom Soccer Club player
Jairus Moto
- US Soccer D, E, F Licenses
- Former captain for the Skylanders of Sussex County Community College in 2004-2006
- Certificate in international sports science.
- ISSA Certified
- Associates degree in fitness and nutrition.
- Bachelors in health fitness and nutrition, Penn State University State College
Erin McCallum 