Abilene Christian proudly welcomed Kylie Gazza to the Wildcats' Soccer coaching staff in the summer of 2024. A proven competitor, leader, and mentor, Gazza brings a wealth of high-level playing experience and a heart for player development to the ACU program. Her championship mentality, tactical understanding, and drive to impact lives both on and off the pitch make her a vital addition to the coaching staff.
Gazza’s collegiate career at Samford University from 2019 to 2023 was nothing short of exceptional. As a commanding center back, she played a key role in guiding the Bulldogs to four consecutive Southern Conference regular season championships, three SoCon tournament titles, and three NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2021 season marked a historic run for the program, reaching the NCAA Round of 32 and establishing Samford among the nation's top mid-major programs.
Throughout her five seasons, Gazza earned numerous accolades that reflect her elite play and leadership. She was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and was a four-time All-Conference selection. Nationally, she was recognized on the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team twice—earning third team honors in 2021 and first team in 2022. In her final season, she was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, highlighting her among the top collegiate players in the country, and appeared on the NCAA’s Defenders to Watch List in 2023.
Gazza’s influence extended well beyond her defensive dominance. As a two-year team captain, she led by example and was widely respected for her work ethic, voice, and character. She served as a representative on Samford’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was selected for the prestigious NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. Her impact on the campus community earned her recognition as a member of the Samford Dream Team, an honor given to student-athletes who exemplify leadership, integrity, and service.
Her coaching journey began during her collegiate career, and it quickly became clear that she had a gift for developing young players. Gazza started with Alabama FC in 2022, working with U7 and U9 girls, and later transitioned into a role with Birmingham United Soccer Association (BUSA), where she coached U7 to U14 players in the elite ECNL program. She also gained experience through Forest Futsal and various youth soccer camps. Currently, she continues to pour into the game by coaching U12 and U14 girls in the NPL NTX platform with Sting West Texas.
Head Coach Stephen Salas expressed his excitement for Gazza’s addition to the program, stating:
“We are ecstatic for Kylie Gazza to join our staff. Kylie is an outstanding addition to our program with her passionate energy, desire to influence, and positive impact, and she has a decorated champion-driven career. She will continue to raise the standard within our program on and off the field. Kylie has a high ceiling as a coach and a bright future with our ACU community.”
Gazza’s commitment to growth, development, and leadership makes her a tremendous asset to the Wildcat soccer program. Whether on the sidelines or working with our backline, her presence is driven by purpose and Christian mentorship. As she steps into her role in Abilene, she is ready to continue building a culture of excellence, service, discipline, and competitive success for Abilene Christian Soccer.
