McNeese State University Women's Soccer

Juan Yepes joined the Cowgirls at the beginning of the 2023 season as an assistant coach. In his first season with the Pokes, Yepes assisted in getting the team to its first SLC Tournament championship game since 2008. Serving primarily as a goalkeeper coach, he saw Jackie Kelly named to the All-SLC Team, All-Tournament Team, All-Louisiana Team, SLC All-Academic Team, and Academic All-District Team. He also oversaw Briana O'Dell before she went on to ink a professional contract with KFF Vllaznia. Following the season, Yepes served as an assistant coach with Nani FC during the TST (The Soccer Tournament) Challenge, in a runner-up bid for the million-dollar prize for the men's bracket. He worked with the goalkeepers alongside stars such as Chris Frederick, Goncalo Ferreira, Joshua Lemos, and Vinnie Durand. Yepes comes from FC Carmen Bucuresti where he served as an assistant and goalkeeper coach for the first division club. He helped the club to finish third in the standings with a 9-2-0 record. Prior to the 2022-23 season, he accumulated a wealth of experience at various levels. Yepes was the goalkeeper program director for the Under 16 and Under 10 girls' programs at the Dynamo Dash Youth Soccer Club in Beaumont. He led the way in player development and helped evaluate player performances. During the 2021 campaign, he was a part of the Northwestern State soccer program that won the Southland Conference Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He coached the SLC Goalkeeper of the Year and the MVP of the tournament. His guidance led the team to ranking second nationally in shutouts. Before joining the Northwestern State staff, he spent the 2020-21 season with South Carolina State. In 2019, he worked at SC Marítimo, St. Peter's University, and Central Florida Panthers Soccer Club. He worked at several clubs prior as well. Fitzgerald commented, "Due to Juan's vast experience, he has performed every aspect of the job at some point in his career, which will allow him to hit the ground running for us. He has a love of the game and a depth of knowledge and experience that will make both our players and coaches better, and we feel blessed to be able to add him to our staff." Yepes graduated from UNEM Costa Rica in 2005 with a degree in business. He played collegiate soccer for Club Estudiantil at Universidsd de Medellin prior. After college, he played a year at the semi-professional level at Club Gimnasio alongside several former Colombia National Team players. Yepes owns a UEFA "B" License from the German Federation.

The Cowgirls are led by head coach Drew Fitzgerald who enters his eigth season at the helm in 2023.   In 2021 the Cowgirls tied the single season win record for the program (13) on the way to a 9-2-1 conference record.   In 2019 the Cowgirls set a new team record for consecutive wins (7) on their way to their third 10+ win season in a row.  They also earned a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament semi-finals for the second time in his tenure.   In 2018, the program set a new record for most wins in a season (13), including a victory over SEC Power, Arkansas.  The 2017 campaign tied the previous all-time record of 12 wins as the Cowgirls earned a 12-5-2 record, marking the first time in program history the Cowgirls earned eight conference victories on the way to breaking numerous school records and finishing runner-up in the SLC. The 2017 campaign followed up a strong inaugural season for Fitzgerald's Cowgirls where the team won a Southland Conference tournament match for the first time since 2008.  The squad finished 6th after being tabbed to finish 11th and earned numerous postseason awards.  The team wrapped up the season with three All- SLC selections, one SLC All-Tournament team selection and two SLC All-Academic Honors. Fitzgerald returned to Lake Charles in 2014 and was a key factor in helping revamp a program that had scored one conference victory a season prior to his arrival. Under his guidance, McNeese tallied six league wins for a fourth place finish that helped propel them to an appearance in the 2014 Southland Conference Tournament. In four seasons at Missouri State, Fitzgerald helped lead the Bears to multiple Missouri Valley Conference Tournament appearances as well as developed the programs first professional draftee, Nia Williams, who was selected by FC Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2012 NWSL draft. In his first season with the Bears, he helped the program to a 12-5-2 overall record and a second-place finish and a MVC Tournament finals appearance. Along the way, he assisted for a team that went unbeaten in 11-straight matches, had a seven-match win streak and won four-straight 1-0 shutouts, all firsts in team history. Fitzgerald began his career at McNeese spending four years (2005-2008) as an assistant coach under then head coach Scooter Savoie. During his previous tenure, Fitzgerald helped McNeese to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006 and a Southland Conference Championship in 2007. He also aided the team in reaching the Southland Conference Tournament finals in 2008.  Fitzgerald helped develop the programs first McNeese Hall of Famer, Kamryn Koch who became the all-time leading scorer as well as being named 2008 Louisiana and Southland Conference Player of the Year. She was also recognized as an NSCAA/Adidas Scholar Team member. Fitzgerald began his career as the head coach of the Texas A&M mens club soccer team before landing at McNeese. As head coach of A&Ms club team from 2004 until 2005, he led them to the NIRSA National Championship and an undefeated season in his second year at the helm. Fitzgerald earned a B.S. Degree in Journalism (2001) and his masters in Sport Management (2005) from Texas A&M.  He holds the United Soccer Coaches Advanced National diploma.