Galla hired at Lakeland
| Galla |
Adam Galla, a standout soccer player and top assistant coach at Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo., is Lakeland's new head men's and women's soccer coach.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with everyone at Lakeland and take the programs to the next step," said Galla. "I look forward to taking over both programs and establishing them as top contenders in Division III, as well as in the conference."
He replaces Tony Pierce, whose men's soccer team went 8-7-3 last season. The women's soccer team went 5-14-0.
At Central Methodist, Galla helped established the women's program as a competitor, taking the Lady Eagles from a 3-12-3 overall mark in the 2010-11 season to a 14-3-2 record in the 2011-12 season. He led the Lady Eagles to a 4-2-1 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and a No. 3 seed in the HAAC Tournament.
Galla brings seven years of coaching experience at various club soccer teams in Missouri. He served as head coach for the Columbia Pride U-18 Boys' team and an assistant coach for the 1996 Girl's Olympic Development Program (ODP) team. Gala holds his USSF "D" License, and in June 2010 he earned his NSCAA National Diploma.
A native of St. Charles, Mo., Gala was a four-year letter winner at William Woods in Fulton, Mo., and was the backbone of the Owls' defense.
"Adam has a great mix of collegiate and club experience that will serve him well as he leads our programs," said Lakeland athletic director Jane Bouche. "He helped turn the women's program around at Central Methodist, and now we give him the reins of our programs as we look to make a move in our conference."
At Lakeland, Galla inherits a women's program that has struggled over the past three seasons, including a 5-14 overall mark last season, 4-8 in the Northern Athletics Conference. The Muskies haven't had a winning record since the 2008 season and haven't made postseason play since the NATHC's inaugural season in 2006.
On the men's side, Galla takes over a team that is on the steady rise. The Muskies finished last season with a 5-4-2 NATHC record, 8-7-5 overall and just missed postseason play. Lakeland looks to return to the NATHC Tournament after a two-year hiatus.
Galla earned his master's degree of education from Central Methodist in 2011 and earned a bachelors in social work from William Woods in 2007.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Lakeland community and I am ready to get started," said Galla.
