Western Connecticut State University Men's Soccer

Joe Mingachos enters his 10th season as the Western Connecticut State University Head Men's Soccer Coach in 2025, and has had astounding success with the program following 19 fantastic seasons at the helm of WestConn's women's soccer program.  Mingachos built one of the most successful women's soccer programs in the region and the nation, before taking over the reigns of the WestConn men's soccer program in 2017.  He had been named the WestConn Head Women's Soccer Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Recreation and Club Sports in 1997and relinquished his administrative duties to coach full-time in 2006. Mingachos made an immediate impact to the men's program, going 4-3 in the Little East Conference and appearing in the LEC Tournament for the first time since 2008.  In his eight years at the helm of the men's team, WestConn has gone 117-43-16, won three Little East Conference (LEC) titles and played in NCAA Division III Tournaments in 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024.  Last fall, the Wolves went 15-5-3, won the LEC regular season and tournament titles, and fell, 1-0, to No. 22-ranked Franklin and Marshall in the NCAA Tourney.  In 2022, WestConn enjoyed an unprecedented undefeated season, going 20-0-2 overall and won the LEC regular season crown with a perfect 8-0 mark against league opponents.   Mingachos has a college men's and women's coaching record of 415-131-43 for a .741 winning percentage.  With the WestConn women, he was 298-88-27, held an 105-19-9 record in the league and has won eight LEC Championships.  Mingachos posted 19 straight seasons of a .500 or better women's soccer coaching record.  He led the Wolves to ten NCAA Women's Tournaments, four consecutive years wth NCAA Tourney wins from 2005 to 2008, and to the program's only NCAA Final Four appearance in 2007.  WestConn won the ECAC Division III New England Women's Soccer title in 2004 and played in two other ECAC Women's Tourneys under his watch. Mingachos led the WestConn women's soccer program to new heights in 2007.  After being named LEC Coach of the Year for the second straight fall, he and the Wolves captured the LEC Tournament title then won four games in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Mingachos' historic run included its first NCAA Regional Championship, the program's first appearance in the national semifinals, and its highest-ever final national ranking of No. 4 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III poll. Mingachos was a first-ballot WestConn Hall of Fame inductee in 1999. He and his assistants were named NSCAA New England and LEC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2022.  Mingachos was the top assistant men's soccer coach at WestConn under Wayne Mones from 1991 to 1996. He also coached the Danbury Girl's Premier U-16 Team in 1995 and 1996. Mingachos was the director of the mentoring program for the Danbury Police Athletic League and the Southwest District Premier Training Director in 1996 and 1997. An All-American sweeper for WestConn during his senior soccer campaign in 1989, Mingachos helped the Wolves finish with a 16-4-2 record and qualify for their first of five-straight NCAA Tournament appearances that autumn. He was named to the All-New England, New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) All-Conference, and the Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Star teams.  He also played professionally for the Connecticut Wolves. He and his wife Maria have a son, Ryan, who completed a stellar career at George Mason University and currently is an assistant with WestConn's women's soccer team, and daughter Kayla, who completed a standout career at Quinnipiac University in 2023.  They reside in Danbury.

Shawn Stillman '94 was named head women's tennis Coach at his alma mater, Western Connecticut State University, in 2013.  He is in his 12th season at the helm of the women's program and enters his 11th season as the head coach of the men's team after taking over that program in the spring of 2015.  Stillman graduated from WestConn with a bachelor's degree in communication and human relations, and was a member of the men's tennis squad.  In 2023-24, Stillman guided both WestConn tennis teams into the Little East Conference (LEC) Championship Semifinals. The Wolves won the LEC men's title and played in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament in 2021. During his career, WestConn went 20-23 and Stillman was an all-league selection in 1993 as the Wolves' top singles player.  Currently the director of neighborhood assistance for the city of Danbury, Stillman has 30 years experience teaching and coaching tennis in the Danbury area.  He has been the assistant tennis professional at Ridgewood Country Club, managed club operations at Beaver Brook Tennis Club for 10 years and was executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Redding for over five years.  Stillman continues to play tennis and competes in the Connecticut men's 4.5 USTA leagues. "When I first got this job, the team had only won one match in the last two seasons and was slowly falling apart," stressed Stilman. "My objective has been to build this team into a stable and competitive program where our student athletes can experience a positive and memorable time of their collegiate career. Tennis is a lifetime sport and I hope their passion to play and compete continues and is passed down to their own children as they move on in life. This is where the true success is measured."

Nick played for Western Connecticut State University his Junior and Senior seasons serving as Captain his senior year when the team won their first conference title in 12 years. Nick has been an assistant coach at westconn since 2020. Nick also coaches as a Head Coach for AC Connecticut out of Danbury, CT.

Bill Goncalves begins his sixth season as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Western Connecticut State University in 2025.  Goncalves brings a wealth of coaching experience that spans from all youth to regional premier level teams as well as spending three years as the Shelton High School varsity assistant for the boy’s program.  He currently works as coach for AC Connecticut’s premier club.  He has earned both the USSF National “D” License and the USSF National Youth Technical License.  Goncalves is an alum of WestConn and played with the Colonials from 2004 – 2007.  As a player, he helped his team earn the LEC Tournament Championship in 2005 and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.  Goncalves’ main responsibilities with the WestConn men’s soccer program are recruiting, scouting, on-and-off field coaching, and managing the team’s social media pages.

Manny Catarino is a passionate and experienced soccer coach with a proven track record of guiding athletes to achieve both personal and team achievements.  He begins his fourth season as a WestConn Men’s Soccer Goalie/Assistant Coach in 2025.  Catarino's coaching experience spans from youth to premier clubs and he has recently taken over the reins as head varsity coach at Danbury High School. He also coaches with AC Connecticut. Catarino owns a USSF “D” license and goalkeeper license.

With over 14 years of coaching experience, Steven Carneiro has established a distinguished career in soccer coaching, beginning with the Danbury Youth Soccer program and advancing to a director's role with AC Connecticut. Known for a deep understanding of the game and a commitment to player development, Carniero has earned numerous accolades throughout his career. Carniero coached at Immaculate High School and was honored as that conference's coach of the year in both 2011 and 2012. Under his leadership, teams have achieved remarkable success at the premier soccer level, securing five state championships with AC Connecticut and ultimately clinching a national title in 2019. Carniero holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a focus on history from Western Connecticut State University. This academic background, coupled with extensive coaching experience, equips him with unique skills to mentor and guide athletes both on and off the field.  Carniero enjoys a fulfilling family life with his spouse, Diane, and their child, Mateo.