CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 12th, 2023) - Charlotte Independence Soccer Club is proud to announce the appointment of Stephanie Pezzullo as the North Meck Junior Girls Director and Pre-ECNL Girls Staff. With an impressive coaching and athletic career, Pezzullo is set to drive the growth and development of the girls' programs to new heights.

Pezzullo joins Charlotte Independence Soccer Club after serving as the Club Soccer Coach & Performance Director at Ocala Premier Soccer in Florida for the past three years.

Under her guidance, both the 2010 and 2008 Girls teams achieved remarkable success. Over the span of two years, the 2008 team climbed to the highest level reaching the Sunshine Conference, the highest conference in Florida. From here, they made State Cup, Ranch Labor Day Showcase Champions in 2023, and are currently ranked #7 with a Top 5 Award in the state of Florida. Additionally, the Girls 2008 Ocala Premier Soccer team emerged as Finalists at the prestigious Weston Cup, demonstrating their talent by playing up a year.The 2010 recently won the Greater Central Florida League and were promoted to FSPL, which is second highest conference.

With her strategic approach, Pezzullo implemented tailored training sessions at Ocala Premier Soccer, maximizing player strengths and preparing athletes for the demands of the soccer pitch. She prioritized open communication, engaging with Directors, Assistant Coaches, and Board Members to align the club's vision. Furthermore, Pezzullo actively connected with the local community through social media channels, fostering support and enthusiasm for all programs.

Director of Soccer Neil Roberts expressed great enthusiasm about Pezzullo joining the coaching staff, stating, "We are extremely excited to add Stephanie to our coaching staff for the coming year. Being a former professional player and a highly successful college player, Stephanie possesses the knowledge and background to develop our players and propel them to the next level. She is an outstanding role model for young women and a superior coach. We can't wait for her to get started!"

Pezzullo's impressive athletic career includes playing women's soccer at Penn State University, where she secured multiple accolades, such as being a four-time starter, four-time Big Ten Champion, and making three Elite 8 National Cup Appearances, and 1X Final Four Appearance. She continued her soccer journey at the professional level with the Charlotte Eagles Soccer Club. Notably, Pezzullo's dedication extended beyond soccer, as she excelled in Track & Field at Penn State, becoming a professional runner. Her exceptional performances include qualifying for the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympic Trials in the 3K and Marathon events. She achieved remarkable results at various national championships and marathons, with her best marathon time being an impressive 2 hours and 32 minutes.

"I want to develop not just soccer players, but kids who will go on to pursue any endeavor they choose in life with passion, persistence, and integrity," expressed Stephanie Pezzullo. "I look forward to embarking on this new journey, working alongside the prestigious and well-respected staff here at Charlotte Independence Soccer Club."

Pezzullo's own remarkable journey began during her high school years, where she earned All-American status, was selected to the ODP Regional Team U16-U19 and received the distinguished honor of Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State University and in the process of getting her USSF "C" Coaching License.

Off the field, Pezzullo has a special companion named Santos, a dog who found her four years ago while she was running. Till this day, Santos is her running partner, who has helped her train for her last 5 marathons, including the 2020 Olympic Trials.