Coaches
Werner T. Dasbach
Head Coach
New York University Director for Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation Christopher Bledsoe announced the appointment of Werner T. Dasbach as the Violets' new head women's soccer coach on Thursday.
"It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Werner T. Dasbach as NYU head coach of women's soccer," Bledsoe said. "Coach Dasbach has a clear vision of winning soccer in an elite academic setting, and we are very pleased he has agreed to join the NYU family. I am delighted our team members will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of Coach Dasbach’s talents in his new role.”
The 2006 National Soccer Coaches' Association of American/adidas College Assistant Coach of the Year – Eastern Region, Dasbach comes to NYU after spending the previous nine seasons as an assistant at Columbia University. His tasks with the Lions included all facets of the program, including recruiting, planning practices and on and off-season strength training, as well as development of community outreach and program fundraising.
During his tenure with Columbia, he helped lead the team to two Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships (1998 & 2004) and an Ivy League title in 2006.
Each summer, Dasbach works as a staff coach at a North Carolina Girls Soccer Camp in Greensboro, at the Region I Olympic Development Program Camp in Kingston, Rhode Island, and has been a director and senior staff member of the NYC Soccer Academy, New York City’s largest soccer camp.
Prior to his time at Columbia, Dasbach was the men’s assistant coach at NAIA Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, from 1993-1996. He also served as the Lady Vikings' interim women’s assistant coach in the spring of 1996.
In 2003, Dasbach founded the Harlem Soccer Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps children enrich their lives and communities through soccer. He also designed the curriculum for the Harlem Soccer After School Program, which is designed to reach children in various New York City public and private schools in uptown Manhattan, as well as Harlem and Washington Heights.
A 1993 graduate of George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, Dasbach was a four-year member of the Colonials’ men's soccer team. He was a two-time captain and Atlantic 10 All-Conference midfielder, and helped the 1989 squad reach the NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen.
After graduating, Dasbach played professionally for three years in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and was captain of the 1995 Southeast Regional Champion Chattanooga Express.
Dasbach, who holds a master’s degree in biobehavioral sciences, physical education – curriculum & teaching from Columbia University – also speaks both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
"I am honored and elated to be named head coach and to be working at a world class institution," Dasbach said. "I am eager to pursue excellence and establish NYU women' s soccer as a premier model soccer program in New York City, the UAA (University Athletic Association) and beyond."
Dasbach, who was born in Penang, Malayasia, and grew up in Silver Springs, Maryland, resides in New York City.
Jennifer Meyerson
Assistant Coach
Jennifer Meyerson is in her first season as an assistant coach with the New York University women’s soccer program. Her responsibilities with the team include assisting with team training, day-to-day operations and recruiting.
"Jen is a fantastic hire for the NYU women's soccer program,” said head coach Werner T. Dasbach. “Her vast experience both coaching and playing soccer in all five boroughs of New York City, coupled with her experience as a youth soccer player in Southern California, make her an invaluable asset. We are very excited and lucky to have her working with us."
A native of Irvine, California, and current resident of Astoria, NY, Meyerson dedicated her youth to playing soccer in the competitive arena of Southern California. A former player with both the Southern California Blues and the Irvine Strikers, she represented the Cal South ODP team for multiple seasons and competed at Regional Camp.
A 2003 graduate of St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, New Jersey, with degrees in history and Spanish, Meyerson earned a full scholarship and competed at the NCAA Division 1 level for both the Peacocks’ women’s soccer (1998-99, 2001) and tennis (2000-03) teams. She was both a soccer team captain (1999) and a leading scorer during her career. Currently, the former center midfielder ranks #8 on the team’s all-time scoring list in goals (10) and #11 in points (22).
Meyerson’s college experience offered her the opportunity to explore urban life on the East Coast as well as to study abroad in India, Mexico and Spain. She became fluent in Spanish and graduated with a certification in Secondary Education. After graduating, Meyerson continued her soccer career with the New York Magic, a women’s semi-professional team in Manhattan.
Meyerson has continued her studies in Rhinebeck, NY, furthering her own personal growth at The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and seeking to combine her passion for soccer with holistic education and philosophy.
Meyerson, also holds a NSCAA National Youth license, has also re-immersed herself in the youth soccer scene throughout NYC as a coach and private trainer. She is working in a variety of coaching settings with multiple clubs in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, including BW Gottschee, Downtown United Soccer Club and Asphalt Green, as well as outreach programs through the Harlem Soccer Foundation.
Michael Guerrero
Assistant Coach
Michael Guerrero enters his first season as an assistant coach with the New York University women’s soccer program. His duties with the team will include recruiting and game analysis.
"It's fantastic to have Michael work with the NYU women's soccer program. We are very excited and fortunate to have him with us,” said NYU head coach Werner T. Dasbach. “He has vast experience coaching youth soccer throughout New York City and its five boroughs. His soccer knowledge coupled with his expertise of both video and computer technology make him an invaluable asset for the program."
Guerrero is well known in New York City soccer circles, serving as an assistant coach at Trinity High School since 2005 and helping the team win the 2006 Ivy League Championship.
The program director and head coach for the Harlem Soccer Foundation since 2003, Guerrero has also served as head coach for three different age-group teams with the Manhattan Soccer Club since 2006. In addition, he has been a staff coach and senior staff member for the New York City Soccer Academy since 2004.
A 2004 graduate of Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in visual art, Guerrero earned a United States Soccer Federation National Y Coaching License in 2006.
He is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a resident of Brooklyn, NY.
Guillermo A. Valencia
Assistant Coach
Entering his first season as an assistant coach with the New York University women’s soccer program, Guillermo A. Valencia will oversee the squad’s goalkeepers and assist with training.
"We're very excited and lucky to have ‘Memo’ work with the goalkeepers,” NYU head coach Werner T. Dasbach said. “He is a fantastic GK trainer who brings a wealth of professional playing experience, as well as coaching experience from all five boroughs of New York City. Memo is one of New York's top GK trainers."
Valencia has extensive experience coaching in the greater New York City area on the collegiate, high school and club levels. He served as the goalkeepers' coach at Columbia University, where he worked with Dasbach, from 2002-05.
Valencia is also well established in area high schools, having been the goalkeepers’ coach at Riverdale H.S. (2003-06) and Greenwich H.S. (2005-06). In addition, he has served as the goalkeeping clinics director for organizations including Larchmont Soccer (2004-06), the Greenwich Soccer Association (2004-06), the Westchester Youth Soccer League (2004-06), the Manhattan Soccer Club (2002-06), and White Plains Soccer (2001, 2004-06).
Valencia also possesses professional playing experience, both nationally and internationally. He was a goalkeeper for America de Cali (1990-95), Cartago Futbol Club (1995) and Deportivo Pereira (1996-2000) in his native Colombia before playing for minor league soccer clubs America Pumas and Potros Marte in 2001. Valencia also suited up for the Westchester Flames (2003-04) and Long Island Rough Riders (2005) of the United Soccer League.
A resident of Englewood, New Jersey, Valencia intends to attain his United States Soccer Federation “B” License in January 2008.