At Queen City FC, we aim to provide our players with standout coaching from a variety of seasoned and experienced coaches. Many of our staff members have years of experience playing or coaching at the collegiate, high school, and club levels, giving us the knowledge and expertise to provide all our players with a positive club soccer experience in Vermont.

Shane Bufano - President/Director of Coaching

Shane Bufano is the founder and current Director of Coaching for Queen City FC. Bufano started the club in 2011 and since then has developed the club from its original three teams to its current membership of 20-plus teams in 3 different regions in Vermont and Northern New York with over 300-plus youth players from U-8 to U-19 (Boys and Girls).  

Currently the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Northern Vermont University Johnson and Stowe High School, Bufano has earned numerous accolades in his coaching career.  Bufano was recently awarded in 2020 the Capital League Coach of the Year, while coaching the Stowe High School Raiders to 8-0 Capital League record.  Additionally, for his work with Queen City FC, he has earned to statewide awards including two of the Vermont State Soccer Association’s highest honors: the 2016 VSA Administrator of the Year and 2013 VSA Girls Coach of the Year.  

Bufano has made a mark at NVU Johnson as he continued building off a strong first campaign with an even better season in 2018.  The program reached some new heights since joining the NCAA as it surpassed the single season win mark by two games with a 10-win season.  The team also set single season program records for Goals (45), Points (127), and Assists (37).  The Badgers also reached the postseason for the first time since 2010, and earned the #4 seed in the North Atlantic Conference playoffs as a home playoff team which last happened in 2007.  In addition, 3 players were selected for the NAC All-Conference teams with Rob Buonanno and Daniel Arriola as First Team selections, and John Folsom as a Second Team selection.  Rob Buonanno ended the season leading the NAC in Goals (12) and Points (28), while 3 players were in the NAC's Top 5 in Points (Buonanno 1st, Arriola T-5, Salgado T-5).  Additionally, 5 players were ranked in the top 5 in the NAC for Assists (Hanna - 3, Buonanno T-5, Arriola T-5, Holloway T-5, Croteau T-5) and Tristan Salgado joined Buonanno in the Top 5 for goals in 5th with 9 goals scored.  During the season, 3 players were also selected as NAC Players of the Week (Joe Holloway, Rob Buonanno, and Daniel Arriola), while Arthur Clayton was selected as Defensive Player of the Week, and Tristan Salgado as Rookie of the Week.  Buonanno was also selected as the HEROSports D3 Player of the Week for the week of October 21, 2018.

Bufano had a strong first season in 2017 as he was able to solidify the Badger roster to 25 players and guide the team to one of the best seasons in the past decade. The Badgers had a 5 win turnaround which was top 15 in NCAA DIII, while posting 7 wins (1 shy of a school record in the NCAA Era).  The Badgers also set a record for most goals scored in a season in the NCAA Era with 43 in 2017. The team also improved a spot in the NAC Conference from the previous year.  3 Badgers earned conference awards with Dominic Caforia being selected the second team all-NAC, while Joe Holloway was selected NAC Rookie of the Week and Jarod Croteau was named to the All-Sportsmanship team.

Prior to NVU Johnson, Bufano served as an assistant women’s soccer coach at Saint Michael’s College for two seasons under Wendy Elles, and was a boys assistant soccer coach at South Burlington High School for five seasons, where he helped South Burlington reach three Vermont Division 1 State Championship games, winning two titles (2011, 2014).

In addition to his DOC duties, Bufano has coached a variety of teams throughout Queen City FC, both male and female, from U-10 to U-19. He has guided his teams to several club tournament finals and championships at various levels.

As a player, Bufano earned several accolades as a forward for Green Mountain College. He was a two-time All-Conference selection in 2005 and 2006 in the Association of D3 Independents Conference (AD3I). In addition, he was the runner up for Rookie of the Year in the AD3I Conference in 2005 after scoring 16 goals during his first campaign for the Eagles. Bufano led the team in scoring and points in 2005 and 2006, and over three seasons finished with 24 goals and 8 assists after a knee injury cut his final season short in 2007. Bufano holds the NCAA Division III record for goals per game among institutions classifying to Division III, and is the Eagles’ Division III era leader in all-time goals and points, while also being the single-season leader in goals. He ranks in the top five all time in 13 different statistical categories. While at Green Mountain, Bufano also was a captain of the Varsity Tennis team and earned the GMC Scholar Athlete and Coaches Award (2007).

Prior to Green Mountain, Bufano played at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, VT where he was a part of the 2002 and 2003 Vermont state championship teams. He also played several years with Nordic Soccer Club, and was a member of Vermont ODP for three seasons.

Bufano holds several coaching certifications such as: the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Advanced National Diploma, USC Director of Coaching Diploma, USC Goalkeeping Diploma, USC Futsal Level I License, United State Soccer Federation (USSF) "D" License, and Coerver Youth Diploma 1&2.

Ron McEachen - Director of Fall Programming and Technical Director

Queen City FC is excited to announce the hiring of Ron McEachen as it’s new Fall Program Director and Technical Director.  Ron is arguably the most decorated soccer coach living in the state of Vermont with vast experiences as a professional player and coach, as well as a 33-year college coach at both the D1 and D3 levels and as a staff member in the MLS with the New England Revolution.

Prior to joining the Queen City FC staff, he has compiled a 300-193-71 record while serving as Head Coach at the University of Vermont (D1), Skidmore College (D3) and Middlebury College (D3).  For several years directly after his stint at UVM, Coach McEachen also coached in the professional ranks as a coach with the New England Revolution of the MLS.  He has also served on the National Staff for the NSCAA and USSA.  In his playing career, McEachen played at West Virginia University where he was an All-American.  After graduating he played on professional teams from 1971-78. During that time he played with the New York Cosmos and Miami Toros of the NASL, as well as the Connecticut Wildcats, Pittsburgh Miners, and Rhode Island Oceaneers of the ASL.

Coach McEachen will begin with Queen City FC immediately and work with his first group of U8-U12’s in the fall of 2019.  Ron’s core philosophy on the game will be a welcome addition with his focus on player centered coaching.  “Players want information but the key is how it is acquired. Most youth sport educators say that creating an environment conducive to enjoyment and learning is most healthy.  The best coaches create this situation by guiding the players during training. They DON’T talk constantly and dictate every move, decision, and action of the player. The successful coach allows the players to play freely and to make decisions on their own,” remarked McEachen about how he will lead at Queen City FC.

The addition of McEachen will add to an already talent staff of young coaches from the college and high school ranks.  “I am so honored to have someone as highly regarded as Ron join our staff.  I have now doubt that he is the perfect fit for our club as he will revamp the player education in our fall and winter programs, while staying true to our club philosophy of player centered instruction as well as community building,” remarked Queen City FC Director of Coaching Shane Bufano.

Aubrey Ouellet - Director of Girls Coaching/Senior Staff

A Bedford, NH native, Ouellet has worked with several girls teams for Queen City FC in both the spring and fall seasons, and is the club’s Director of Girls Coaching.

Currently, Ouellet is the Girls Soccer Head Coach at Rice Memorial High School, and previously served as the goalkeeping coach at Burlington High School.  In addition, she also serves as a staff coach for the Vermont ODP Program.

In all five seasons at the helm of Rice Memorial she has led the Green Knights to the Vermont Division II State Championship game, winning the title in 2019 and 2021. In her first season (2017) with the Green Knights, Ouellet led the team to its first State Championship in 18 years. The Green Knights fell in penalty kicks to Milton in the state final after 2OT's and a 0-0 score.  The team finished with a 15-3 record, and Ouellet was named the 2017 Lake Division Coach of the Year. In the 2018 season, the Green Knights fell 2-1 in 2OT. In 2019, she led the Green Knights to a third straight Championship appearance, ultimately capturing the schools first State Championship title in 20 year.  In 2021, the Green Knights captured their second title under Ouellet's tenure with a 3-0 win over Woodstock in the Vermont Division II State Championship.  At the end of the 2021 season, Ouellet was once again named the NVAC Lake Division Coach of the Year, and was additionally rewarded the United Soccer Coaches Association Private/Parochial Coach of the Year for the state of Vermont.  During her tenure at Rice, Ouellet has coached over a dozen All-State players including a recent 2019 All-New England selection.

Ouellet spent her playing career at Saint Michael’s College, where she was the Purple Knights’ starting goalkeeper. Prior to Saint Michael's College, Ouellet played at Bedford High School in New Hampshire where she was a 4-year starting goalkeeper.  In 2009 and 2010 she was selected for the NH High School All-State team.  In addition, she was a 2011 Twin State Selection.  On the club circuit, Ouellet competed for Granite FC C.O.E Wanders, and played in the former MAPLE league and NEP.  She was a 2010 New Hampshire State Cup Champion with Granite FC.  

Ouellet holds licensure through the United States Soccer Federation as she has acquired a USSF "E" License.

Denis Nunez

Denis Nuñez joined the Queen City FC Coaching Staff in 2017. He is currently the Head Varsity Coach at Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, and has been at the helm since the fall of 2018.

Prior to becoming the Head Varsity Coach at Rice, Nuñez was the first assistant at Northern Vermont University Johnson with the Men's Soccer Program in 2017.  During that season, the team increased the win total by 5 from the previous year which was a top 15 turnaround in all of NCAA Division III.

Nuñez is a former Division III NCAA soccer athlete at Lyndon State College and has worked primarily with U6 through U24 athletes through a variety of club and and collegiate coaching over the past 10 years. He worked at Lyndon State College as an intern Women's Assistant Coach and as a Varsity Room Strength and Conditioning intern at UVM. Coach Nuñez also won the 2017 VSA Coach of the Year award after being nominated for excellent performance in youth soccer.

Nuñez is also the founder of Grind Soccer Academy which is a local organization that provides private coaching, camps, and other programs to players in the off-season.

Nuñez earned a B.S. in Exercise Movement and Physiological Science in 2013 from The University of Vermont, where he continues to work in the study of Breast Cancer Research. He has also served as a Combat Medic/Healthcare Specialist in the Vermont Army NG for 10 years.

Nuñez holds a USSF National "E" Coaching License and Emergency Medical Technician Licenses.

Rich Couture

Rich has been coaching soccer in the area for over a decade in various roles from through various recreational, club and school programs.  Currently, he is the first assistant at Milton High School for the Girl's program.  During his two-year tenure he has worked with Shawntel Burke (Rich's sister) where they have won two consecutive Vermont Division II State Championships together (2017, 2018).

Rich has coached at the middle school level with Georgia Elementary and Middle School where he spent three years.  In addition, he has also coached at the club level with Georgia SC, and Milton SC before joining the staff at Queen City FC.

Rich has licensure through the United States Soccer Federation Pathway as he has acquired a USSF E and F License.

Rich is a proud 21 year Retired Veteran of the US Military (Army and Air Force).  He also has two daughters that are a part of the club as well.

Jonathan Weisbecker

Jonathan Weisbecker joined the Queen City FC coaching staff in the fall of 2021.  Weisbecker has an extensive soccer background in both playing and coaching coming from the Midwest prior to arriving in Vermont.

Weisbecker learned under U.S. Women's National Team Staff coach Jeff Pill, where he played under him at Watertown Soccer Club in Wisconsin.  After graduating college, Weisbecker coached at several camps and with area clubs including Watertown Soccer Club, the Milwaukee Wave and Footskills Academy.  Currently in Vermont, outside of QCFC, he is also coaching with Soccer Roots and as a 7/8th grade coach at Shelburne Community School.

As a player, he competed in NCAA Division III at Lake Forest College in Illinois during a successful stretch for the progam.  Prior to his time playing in college, he was a four year Varsity player with Watertown High School in Wisconsin.   With the Goslings, he was selected three times as an All-Little Ten League Selection (1x First Team, and 2x Second Team).  Additionally, he was twice selected as his teams MVP.

Kaylee Sullivan

Kaylee Sullivan began coaching with Queen City FC in 2015 during her senior year at St. Michael’s College, where she was a four-year goalkeeper for the NCAA Division II Purple Knights.  She currently serves as the girls varsity assistant coach at Rice Memorial High School.  She has coached a number of age groups on the girls side.  Kaylee has been involved on the staff for the Rice Green Knights during both of their recent Vermont Division II State Championship runs in 2019 and 2021.  An East Greenwich, RI native, Sullivan has coached goalkeepers and players from across New England throughout her coaching career. 

As a player, Kaylee was a graduate and member of the soccer, softball and basketball teams at East Greenwich High School in Rhode Island.  She earned the Rhode Island Girls Soccer Coaches Association's Sportsmanship Award during her junior and senior years. She competed on the several teams during her club career in Rhode Island, most notably, Bruno United FC.  Additionally, she played on the Rhode Island Division II softball state championship team as a junior.

Abukar Hassan 

Abukar Hassan joins the Queen City FC coaching staff in the fall of 2021.  Abukar returns to QCFC after playing seasons with the club during his high school playing career.

Currently, Abukar is on the staff of his high school Alma Mater, South Burlington High School where he head coaches the JV B team.

As a player, Abukar received several accolades for his stellar play on and off the field.  He played four years of college soccer at Northern Vermont University-Lyndon where he was a starter each year.  While with the Hornets, he was named to the North Atlantic Conference, All-Conference team twice.  In 2017, during his junior year he was selected to the NAC All-Sportsmanship Team.  In 2018, during his senior year, he was selected to the NAC All-Conference Second Team.  On the field, he led in scoring in 2017 and filled a great role for the Hornets throughout his career.

While at South Burlington High School as a player, Abukar was part of Vermont Division I State Championship team in the fall of 2014 as the team finished with a 16-1 record.  During that championship season, he was also an NVAC All-Metro League selection.  

Lauryn Holsopple

Lauryn Holsopple joined the Queen City FC coaching staff in the fall of 2020.  Lauryn returns to QCFC after playing several seasons with the club since she was a U13 player.

Outside of QCFC, Lauryn has previously been a high school coach on the staff at Enosburg High School on the girls side.  She is currently playing with Norwich University on the women's team after transferring to the Cadets from Northern Vermont University-Johnson.  

As a high school player, Lauryn had a great playing career at Milton High School as a defender.  During her time at Milton, she was part of two Vermont Division II State Championships in 2017 and 2018.  During the 2018 championship season, she was also an NVAC All-Lake Division selection.  

Meghan Dieterle

Meghan Dieterle joined the Queen City FC staff in the fall of 2021.  Her interest in coaching stems from a great love of educating along with a passion for the game of soccer.  She currently works as Behavior Interventionist at Orchard School in South Burlington after graduating with a degree in elementary education and psychology.

A Franklin, MA native, coach Meghan comes to us from four years of playing at the NCAA Division II level with Saint Michaels College.  While at SMC, Dieterle was a three year starter on the defensive line for the Purple Knights.  Additionally, she was named to the Northeast 10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll four times at Saint Michaels (F16, S17, F17, S18) for academics as a Dean's List student.

Prior to her time at Saint Michaels, Dieterle had a great playing career for Franklin (MA) High School.  As a Panther, she was named as a Massachusettes South Division 1 All-Star for league play as a senior.

Kyle Underwood 

Kyle Underwood is one of the longest tenured coaches on the Queen City FC staff having coached several age groups in both genders.

Underwood currently is an assistant coach at Northern Vermont University Johnson.  In his first season with the Badgers, the team increased their win total by 5 from the previous year, which was a top 15 turnaround in all of NCAA Division III (2017).  In his second season (2018) with the Badgers, the team set program records in NCAA Single Season Wins, goals, assists and points, and returned to the North Atlantic Conference playoffs for the first time since 2010.  Underwood helps with all aspects of the program from recruiting to training and film study. 

Underwood has worked at many different levels in the club and high school coaching ranks over the past decade. Most recently as the Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Missisquoi Valley Union in the fall of 2015 and 2016.  Prior to becoming the Girls Varsity coach at MVU, Underwood also served previously as an assistant with the Boys Varsity Soccer team as well.

With Queen City FC, Underwood currently plays a versatile role working with player development in many teams within the club Queen City FC.  Prior to working at Queen City FC, Underwood served as the Club Director for the Missisquoi Riverhawks FC up in Highgate, Vt.  While there he coached several teams within the club and ran day to day operations.

Nathan D'Aversa

Coach Nate joins us nearby after a plethora of coaching across the Northeast.  He adds a wealth of knowledge in the game from his playing career as well as a lengthy coaching career. 

Nate began coaching in his native New Jersey with the highly touted Match Fit Academy a Nike Premier, and ECNL affiliated club.  Since moving to Vermont, he has continued in the coaching ranks at both the school and club level working several years for both Far Post Soccer Club, and Capital SC.  He is a versatile trainer as he has worked with young players as low as the U8 level up through the high school ranks.  Most recently, he worked on staff with the women's program at South Burlington High School.

Additionally, as a player, Nate played at a very high level in NCAA Division 1 with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders.  While at NJIT, Nate appeared in 54 games while starting 44 of those.  Prior to NJIT, he played his freshmen year with Montclair State University in NJ, where the team went 21-1 and won the NJAC Conference, eventually falling in the 3rd round to eventual National Champion Messiah College.  Nate will add a lot to our staff with his knowledge working with all age groups and both genders.

OTHER SUPPORT STAFF

Adam Bufano

Felicia Armell

Meghan Dieterle

Josiah Mueller

Alex Reichelt