Tiffin University Head Coach Paula Fantini
Phone: 419-448-3373
Email: fantinip@tiffin.edu
Paula Fantini has been named Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Tiffin University.
Fantini, a native of Brazil, takes over the women’s program from Rudy Brownell, who will remain as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach. The Lady Dragons finished 11-7-2 in 2009, reaching the GLIAC Semifinals. In 2008 the team qualified for the NCAA National Tournament via an at-large berth.
A former women’s soccer star at Union College (KY), Paula Fantini joined the Lincoln Memorial coaching staff in 2007 after obtaining a double major in physical education and sports management, minors in health and general business and a master’s in health and physical education.
While serving as assistant for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Lincoln Memorial, the teams both had winning records. The men’s team finished second in the South Atlantic Conference last year with a 10-5-1 record and record of 21-12-3 during Fantini’s tenure. The women’s team went 18-14-4 overall during that same stretch. In 2007 both the men’s and women’s teams at LMU won the SAC regular season and tournament championships. The men’s squad finished as NCAA National Runner-up, winning the Appalachian Region Championship while the women reached the Southeast Region Semifinals.
As a student-athlete, Fantini excelled on and off the field. She was a Dean’s List honoree every semester at Union, and was a three-time Academic all-conference honoree, as well as a two-time All-American Scholar Athlete. She was named All-Conference and All-Region three times, and was named All-American twice. She ranks fourth in career points in Union’s history.
Fantini has a strong coaching background in both club soccer (Impact USA Nike) and in college soccer (University of Campinas).
“I am extremely excited with the opportunity of becoming the Head Womeńs Soccer Coach at Tiffin University,” said Fantini. “I felt as if I was at home from the moment I stepped on campus. I trust that I will share an extraordinary experience with my players and the faculty and staff at large.”
Assistant Coach Ciara Gossett
Ciara Gossett enters her first year coaching with the Dragons. Recruited from Sylvania Southview in Toledo, she came to Tiffin University to pursue her academic and soccer career. During her four years here, her team made it to the Sweet 16 in the National Tournament in Kansas after winning the Region IX Championship in 2006, were ranked 4th in the Midwest Region and were also NCAA National Tournament Qualifiers in 2008. She was named Honorable Mention All-Conference and was named captain her senior year. Her academic achievements earned her a place on the Tiffin University Dean’s List in 2007, 2008, and 2009. She graduated in May of 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Sports Administration.
Student Assistant Ryan Kiekbusch
Ryan Kiekbusch enters his first year coaching with the Dragons. Recruited from Sterling Heights, Michigan, he transferred from Macomb Community College to finish his academic and soccer career. During his two years at Tiffin, his team won the 2008 GLIAC Championship upon their first year in GLIAC play. He is currently finishing up his requirements for graduation in May and plans to attend graduate school. He is coaching the Men’s and Women’s JV programs.