SHA Names Jaclyn Puntillo as the New Head Soccer Coach

Sacred Heart Academy announces Jaclyn Puntillo to take over as the head soccer coach in 2013. Coach Puntillo has worked as an assistant coach for the program for the past four years, including the 2009 State Championship team and 2011 State Runner-Up team.

Puntillo also was the head junior varsity coach for three years. In 2010, her JV team won the Bluegrass Invitational. In 2011, Puntillo’s JV team was undefeated against in-state teams, taking their only losses at the Zionsville Invitational and to St. Ursula Academy.

Of the upcoming season, Puntillo said, “Our biggest goal as a program is always to win a state championship. That’s at the top of the list.” Puntillo also wishes to design an end of the season tournament for the JV team so they have something to work toward. “I think the addition of the lights could make this a reality,” Puntillo added.

Previous head coach Chris Moore is confident in the new leadership. “Jaclyn will bring a lot of energy, determination, and organization [to this upcoming season],” Moore said. He added, “It’s a nice thing every once in a while to have a fresh start.” Moore said he absolutely plans on attending many soccer events this upcoming season to support the program.

On lessons from coaching with Moore, Puntillo says, “He taught me to be a Valkyrie and what it means to wear the crest on your shirt day in and day out. He also taught me the importance of leading with a sense of humor.”

Puntillo played NCAA DI soccer at IPFW in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she was a defender. Coach Puntillo still holds the IPFW women’s soccer records for the most games started (73) and most games played (76). She graduated from IPFW in 2005 with a B.A. in Media and Public Communication and a minor in journalism. She worked as a graduate assistant in the IPFW Athletic Department until 2008 while she earned her teaching degree.

Puntillo said playing collegiate soccer has been both a blessing and a curse for her at times. Of the benefit Puntillo said, “I have played at the level that many of our players aspire to play at which is a benefit: I know what it takes to make it there and how to navigate the recruiting process.” The curse? Puntillo realizes her “intense work ethic and perfectionist tendencies that made [her] a successful college player” cause her to push the girls too hard at times. “I am working on it,” Puntillo added with a laugh.

Puntillo will be the fifth soccer coach in SHA’s history and the first female head coach.