Our Team
Gail Mann
Director of Coaching
Tara Masci
Director of Goalkeeping
Michelle Valentino
Director of Finishing
Gail Mann
Director of Coaching
Gail is a trailblazer who has led by example through her lifetime commitment to women’s soccer. She is a role model, coach and mentor to so many women - including both Michelle and Tara. Her knowledge of the game is unmatched.
Gail has led the Nazareth Women’s Soccer Team as head coach for almost 30 seasons.
Under her leadership, Nazareth has either shared or won outright the Empire 8 Conference title 11 times since 1999.
Gail holds a .672 winning percentage and ranks among the top active coaches in Division III. Since 1995 she has coached 65 regional All-Americans and nine national All-Americans.
The 2016 season was noteworthy for Mann's Golden Flyers as they reached the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 10th time. Nazareth also has won two ECAC titles (2005 and 2007) and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals in 1999.
Gail earned the 1997 New York Region Coach of the Year, an honor that was duplicated in 2002. She was named Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year in 1999 as Nazareth set a school record with 17 victories and captured the NCAA New York Region title. She was named E8 Coach of the Year again in 2010, 2013 and 2014.
In 2015, Mann was honored by the Rochester Press-Radio Club with the Jean Giambrone Community Service Award that is presented annually to a local person who has made an exemplary lifetime commitment to Rochester-area women's sports.
A native of Rochester, Mann came to Nazareth in 1993 after five seasons as an assistant coach at SUNY Brockport. She was head coach of the New York West Olympic Development U15 team from 1992-1998 and led the team to the Region 1 championship in 1995
Gail graduated from Spencerport High School, where she excelled in soccer, basketball and softball. She played soccer at SUNY Cortland and was a starting striker on the 1986 team that reached the Division III Final Four.
Gail believes in hard work, accountability, commitment, gratitude and grit. She holds her players to a higher standard while challenging them to become the best version of themselves to compete at the highest level on the field and in life.
Tara Masci
Director of Goalkeeping
Tara has a passion for goalkeeping and fostering leadership through coaching. She brings a strong drive and intensity to the field and motivates players to aim higher, move beyond their comfort zones and expect more.
Tara is the founder of Goalkeeper Performance Training (GKPT) in Rochester, New York. GKPT is committed to providing the highest quality training for goalkeepers of all skill levels.
Tara holds her Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma from United Soccer Coaches as well as a D license from United States Soccer Federation.
She is a coach and presenter for the United Goalkeeping Alliance, a worldwide organization made up of elite Goalkeeper Coaches who are committed to best practice in teaching and coaching our youth goalkeepers.
Tara entered her first season as Goalkeeper Coach for the RIT Women’s Soccer Team in 2022. During this time, the Tigers tied their all-time shutout record earning 12 shutouts and set a record for fewest goals allowed finishing the season with an overall record of 13-4-3.
Formally, Tara served as the Women’s Goalkeeper Coach at Monroe Community College for two seasons under Head Coach Tracey Britton. During this time, the MCC women were constant National contenders, winning three NJCAA National Championships.
Tara’s playing experience includes the pre-professional W-League Rochester Ravens where she played six seasons between the sticks, including an exciting exhibition game against the US Women’s National Team.
She played three seasons of college soccer at West Virginia University, competing in the Big East Conference. During her junior year at WVU Tara served as President of the Student Athlete Advisory Council, (SAAC) and was chosen to represent WVU athletics at a national leadership conference. She strongly believes that every goalkeeper needs to acquire leadership skills and use their voice to create a strong presence both in goal and in life.
A native of Rochester, Tara graduated from The Aquinas Institute where she started as the Varsity goalkeeper for four years, earning All-Greater Rochester First Team honors twice and NY state first team honors. Under her leadership, AQ won their first two Section V championships and made their first ever State final appearance in program history. She is also a proud Sports Hall of Fame Inductee at The Aquinas Institute.
Tara’s intensity, passion and drive is instantly felt. She is committed to supporting all goalkeepers learn, grow, and excel while developing self confidence and finding their voice.
Michelle Valentino
Director of Finishing
Michelle is a leader, a coach, a teacher, a mother and a mentor. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field.
As a standout forward at Nazareth College, Michelle was the leading scorer during all four years at Nazareth while earning four-time First Team Regional All-American honors. Michelle remains the second leading scorer of all-time in Nazareth Women’s Soccer history. While at Nazareth, Michelle was awarded the Female College Athlete of the Year Award presented by Press Radio Club. She is also a two-time Nazareth College Hall of Fame Inductee.
After college, Michelle spent two seasons playing in the semi-professional Women’s League with the Rochester Ravens, including an exciting exhibition game against the US Women’s National Team.
Michelle continues to play competitive soccer to this day. Michelle is a lifelong learner. Her love and passion for acquiring knowledge makes current, passionate and the dedicated coach that she is. She is a member of “We Coach” and “US Soccer Federation.” She currently holds her Grassroots License from the United States Soccer Federation and is working towards her level one coaching certification. She also holds a Life Coaching certification in hopes to help mentor young student/athletes in fulfilling their life’s purpose and passion. She uses her life coaching skillset to positively connect areas such as self-confidence, self-esteem, positive body image and leadership throughout her coaching.
Michelle has been a teacher for 20+ years. 16 years in the Rochester City School District and the past 4 years in Webster, NY, where she began her soccer career. A Rochester native, Michelle graduated from Webster Schroeder High School where she was a four-year Varsity starter. During each season of these four years, she was the leading scorer for Webster.
Michelle is currently leading the girls modified program at the Aquinas Institute and has been a coach at Aquinas for four seasons. Before this, Michelle served as assistant coach for the Webster Girls Varsity program for five years. She has coached girls since she was a junior coach at the age of 13.
Michelle believes that the soccer field is a microcosm of life. There are so many opportunities to be a positive role model and to teach the most valuable life lessons. Building relationships and establishing a connection are the most critical components in her philosophy of teaching and coaching.