OUR COACHES
Ahwatukee Lightning Ladies Lacrosse has assembled a team of excellent coaches that are skilled and have experience that is focused for each of the age groups they are assigned to! Our coaches are enthusiastic about the sport and one thing is for sure, they will first and foremost ensure the kids have fun and develop their own passion for the game! Find out a little more about each of our coaches below!
COACH MICHELLE
8U Head Coach
Hello!
My two girls and I started playing lacrosse a few seasons ago when we joined the Ahwatukee Lightning. We walked into the 1st practice knowing very little about the game and walked out obsessed with it! Our family loves lacrosse and being on the field!
I grew up in Wisconsin and came out to AZ in 2000 to attend ASU. I was a teacher for 17 years before recently pivoting to interior design. Luckily, I still get to be apart of my daughters' school, but this time in the roles of the PTO President and the school's site council parent member.
I am so excited to be out on the fields again with the little ladies while they build their confidence, positive relationships, and of course their super sweet lacrosse skills!
Go Lightning!
COACH ERICK
IOU Head Coach
I grew up in the Chandler/ Mesa area and went to Dobson High. I have played competitive sports since I was 5 years old dribbling a soccer ball around town and have been trained by some of the top elite programs growing up.
After High school I joined the Elite Forces of the United States Marine Corps and served 10 years in both foreign and domestic lands. After my time in the military, I felt it was time to slow down and enjoy life to the fullest with my wife Michelle and two daughters, Kentlee (Dance) & Collins (Lacrosse).
Lacrosse has been a passion I share with my daughters and there is nothing more enjoyable than being out there on the field with her and her teammates! I am very excited to be a part of this great program in our community and I look forward to an amazing season and making fun memories with Collins and all her friends!!!
COACH TESS
8 and IOU Coach
Hi, my name is Tess Cortese and I have played lacrosse for about 7 years. I have played on multiple club teams and been to tournaments all over the East and West coast. I currently play on Alliance for my club team and play at Desert Vista for highschool season. I love to play midfield and take the draw, but have experience playing every position. I love lacrosse and can’t wait to help coach the pixies this season!
COACH CRAIG
10U Coach
I picked up my first lacrosse stick at the age of 12 and haven't put it down since. After six great years playing lacrosse in Pennsylvania, I moved to Arizona where I quickly became the head coach of a boys' varsity team in Tucson. Following college, I settled in the Phoenix area and took on the role of head coach for another boys' varsity team. After 10 years of coaching, I decided to step down and start a family. Now, I’m grateful to have a daughter who loves the sport, and be in a community with a vibrant girls' youth program. I’m thrilled to offer my daughter and all the other girls on the field the chance to create lifelong friendships and memories playing this amazing game.
IOU Coach
COACH ROSS
Coach Ross brings high energy, a lifelong love of sports, and a passion for youth development to the Ahwatukee Lightning 8U and 10U lacrosse teams. Now entering his third season as a coach, Ross first got involved through his two daughters, Lulu and Mozie, both dedicated players who inspired his love for the game.
A former competitive athlete himself, Ross understands the power of teamwork, discipline, and fun in youth sports. He focuses on fundamentals, building confidence, and creating a positive team environment—believing that effort and character are just as important as talent.
Off the field, Ross is a proud #GirlDad and husband to Katrina. Whether he’s coaching from the sidelines or cheering in the stands, Coach Ross is all about helping young athletes grow their skills, find their confidence, and fall in love with the game.
COACH DANNY
12U Head Coach
I grew up in Mesa and started playing from 7th grade as attack and midfield. Now, I live with my wife Kat, and two daughters Teagan (10) and Tippie (8) in Ahwatukee.
I’ve been coaching for 5 years now and am excited to be involved in a great program that's taken off in growth. We've built a great blend of community, fun and athletics. As a coach, I want to use lacrosse as a tool to build good humans and win some games along the way.
Lets go!
COACH ASPEN
12U Coach
​Hi! My name is Aspen and I am a senior at Desert Vista High School. I’ve grown up in Ahwatukee and started playing lacrosse in 6th grade. I played for Lightning Lacrosse all 3 years of middle school and now play for DV. Over the past 6 years, I have played all positions on the field but quickly learned how exciting it is to score goals and play attack. A few years ago, I inspired my little sister to join the Pixie team and I have enjoyed watching her excel and fall in love with the sport, just like I did. I’ve coached 8U for two years now, and I am so excited to be coaching this year's Lightning Lacrosse season!
14U Head Coach
COACH MINA
Hi Everyone!
My name is Coach Mina and this is my 6th season coaching at Ahwatukee Lightning. I have been a part of the AZGLA since 2013 when I started playing at the High School level for the Hamilton (now Chandler) Huskies. I was a founding member of Vortex Elite when it was called East Valley Girls Lacrosse, I played a few seasons on Desert Heat and even managed to do an off season with Pinnacle Girls Lacrosse. After graduating I played at Northern Arizona University for 2 seasons before moving back to the valley and becoming a Sun Devil. I am currently playing for a post collegiate team based out of California (Skyfire L.C.) where I play plenty of travel lacrosse! I started coaching in 2018 for the Hamilton Huskies and parted ways with them in 2021. I am currently coaching at Xavier College Prep as the Head JV Lacrosse Coach and assisting where needed on the Varsity end as well. My coaching philosophy is focused on developing well-rounded athletes, emphasizing teamwork, and fostering a competitive spirit while having fun and making memories on the field!