MADISON, N.J. – Morris Elite SC announced Friday the appointment of Stephanie Savino as the first  USL W League head coach in program history for its 2022 inaugural season.

A Long Island, N.Y. native, Savino brings experience from every level of the game in the United States and will be responsible for recruiting, building and managing the Morris Elite SC roster from scratch.

“We are excited to be adding a quality female coach to the staff to lead our women’s franchise in its inaugural season,” director of coaching and soccer operations Scott Maloney said in a statement. “I have known Stephanie for many years and I know she will create a positive and educational environment for our pre-professional players.”

Savino completed her master’s degree in recreation and sport science through Ohio University in partnership with United Soccer Coaches. She holds a U.S. Soccer National “B” License and an Advanced National Diploma through the organization. Savino is pursuing her United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma. A Siena College graduate, Savino competed as a dual-sport NCAA Division I athlete in women’s soccer and lacrosse.

In Savino’s first season as head coach for Pratt Institute, the Cannoneers ended the fall season with a 3-7-1 record. Four players were named to the American Collegiate Athletic Association All-Conference teams.

As a Under-19 women’s soccer head coach at Asphalt Green in New York City, Savino started a mentorship program at the club. Every month, she has gathered women athletes to discuss topics that will enhance their skills on and off the field. Savino created the mentorship program in response to a lack of female representation.

Savino is a director at Major League Soccer, focusing on the adidas relationship with youth players and the MLS retail business for sporting goods and soccer specialty channels. She manages U.S. Soccer’s retail business and oversees in-store activation geared towards fanwear.

“Stephanie is someone who shares the same vision and mentality that we have here at Morris Elite,” Morris Elite president Vincenzo Bernardo said in a statement. “With her experience on and off the field we are confident that she is going to be great at leading our women’s team this year.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.