Aquinas College Women's Soccer

Mario Zuniga-Gil Head Women’s Soccer Coach Mario Zuniga-Gil was named Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Aquinas College, bringing with him a diverse international background, championship-level experience, and a proven track record of player development across multiple collegiate levels. A native of Spain, Zuniga-Gil earned his Bachelor of Arts in Translation & Interpreting from the University of Granada before completing his Master of Science in Soccer Coaching Education at Ohio University. His academic and professional journey reflects both global perspective and deep tactical understanding of the game. Prior to joining Aquinas, Zuniga-Gil served in a variety of collegiate and club leadership roles. Most recently, he was the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Grand Rapids Community College while also serving as the Girls College Recruiting Coordinator for Midwest United FC and Director of College Recruiting for Michigan Rangers FC. His collegiate coaching résumé includes assistant coaching positions at Calvin University and Grand Valley State University, where he was part of nationally ranked programs competing deep into the NCAA Tournament. During his tenure at Grand Valley State, the Lakers captured GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2022 and advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. In 2023, the program reached the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. At Calvin University, he contributed to a 2024 MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Championship season that included an NCAA Division III Tournament run to the Second Round. Earlier in his career, he was part of a staff that reached the NCAA Division I Elite Eight following a Big Ten Tournament Championship season in 2021, while coaching for University of Michigan. Zuniga-Gil’s coaching journey also includes head coaching roles at Zeeland East High School and Chelsea High School, as well as time at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard High School. Internationally, he has coached with Burton Albion FC in the United Kingdom and Granada Noroeste CM in Spain. His club leadership experience includes serving as Girls Director and Director of Futsal at Kingdom Soccer Club and Director of Methodology at Chill SBC Soccer Club. He chose Aquinas because of its rich institutional history, beautiful Grand Rapids campus, close-knit community environment, strong academic reputation, and the proud tradition of success within the Saints soccer program. Zuniga-Gil resides in Grand Rapids with his wife, Amanda. Outside of coaching, he enjoys traveling — especially returning to Spain — and cooking.

Ariana Garcia returns to Aquinas as an Assistant Coach for the Women’s Soccer program, bringing with her both coaching experience and a deep understanding of what it means to wear the Saints crest. A graduate of Aquinas College with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science, Garcia is no stranger to the program’s culture and expectations. As a former standout for the Saints, she was part of one of the most successful eras in program history, helping Aquinas break records and advance farther than any team before it. Her accomplishments as a student-athlete included First Team All-Conference, All-Academic honors, and NAIA Honorable Mention recognition. Following her playing career, Garcia continued her development in the game as a coach with Midwest United FC, further strengthening her passion for player growth and team culture. Garcia said returning to Aquinas felt like a natural decision because of the lasting connection she has with the school, the women’s soccer program, and the community that helped shape her as both a player and person. She is excited to now help the next generation of Saints continue building on the program’s championship-level standard. Originally from the West Michigan area, Garcia lives in Kentwood and comes from a deeply soccer-rooted family. Her father serves as a coach and director with Midwest United FC, while her mother was a former goalkeeper. She also enjoys spending time with her two older sisters, younger brother, and two nephews, in addition to her continued love for soccer and coaching.

Chris Denham joins the Aquinas Women’s Soccer program as an Assistant Coach, bringing more than a decade of coaching experience across the West Michigan soccer landscape at the club, collegiate, and high school levels. A graduate of Cornerstone University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Denham arrives with an extensive background in player development and program building. Most recently, he served as Foundation Phase Director for the Michigan Rangers from 2013-26, helping shape young talent and build developmental pathways across the club. His coaching résumé also includes collegiate stops as an assistant with Grand Rapids Community College Women’s Soccer (2025-26), Grace Christian University Women’s Soccer (2016-17), and Davenport University Women’s Soccer (2017-19). In addition to his collegiate work, Denham served as head coach of The Potter’s House girls soccer program from 2013-17 and guided the Muskegon Risers UWS side from 2020-21, further strengthening his reputation as a teacher of the game. He also holds a respected USSF B License, underscoring his commitment to coaching education and player growth. Denham said Aquinas immediately stood out because of how closely the university’s mission and the women’s soccer program’s culture align with his own coaching philosophy. The emphasis on developing student-athletes as competitors, teammates, and individuals, along with a strong foundation of accountability, growth, and team culture, made joining the Saints an easy decision. Originally from Belding, Michigan, Denham now resides in Walker with his girlfriend, Mallory. Outside of soccer, he enjoys running and staying active in the West Michigan soccer community.