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 ASPEN
8U Coach
Hi! My name is Aspen and I am a junior 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 one year now, and I am so excited to be coaching this year's Lightning Lacrosse season!
COACH TESS
8U 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 ERIC
10U 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 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.
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 JEREMY
12U Head Coach
I am a coach for the Ahwatukee Girls Lacrosse 12U team. I played for Lightning Lacrosse when I was in high school (graduated 2003), and the organization was just beginning. My wife Stephanie and I have been proud to watch our own daughters grow and play with the club for several years now. This team, this organization is a community that we are proud to be a part of and grow with and I look forward to the triumphs and learning experiences the upcoming seasons will bring!
COACH MINA
14U Head Coach
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!
COACH TONY
12U Coach
Hello!
My name is Tony. I started coaching lacrosse because of my daughter Jetta. I had never played lacrosse before Jetta fell in love with the sport. I love watching our team of girls grow, learn and put everything they have into becoming great players and bettering themselves. I look forward to another great season and making memories with my daughter and all of her friends!