Our Coaches
Drawing upon a richly diverse coaching staff with extensive lacrosse and coaching backgrounds, we ensure every player refines their abilities and flourishes within the sport.
Caitlyn Brinker
Caitlyn Brinker has been a dedicated girls lacrosse coach with the Force club program at the high school and middle school levels since 2020. She has also been a coach for the Union Pines High School Girls Lacrosse team since 2020 to include coaching the team to win the State Championship in the 2023-2024 season. With a wide variety of coaching experience in the community helping at rec lacrosse for 3-8 year olds (Mini Sticks) as well as footwork, agility, speed, stick work, and shooting sessions (Fast Lax), Caitlyn brings various skill sets to the Force program and a deep love of the sport.
While years removed from competing on the field, Caitlyn maintains the passion for everything lacrosse represents - speed, agility, strength, conditioning, and mental toughness. She takes great pride in developing young athletes to become great teammates on and off the field while creating a positive and fun environment for her players. As a former Division I collegiate club lacrosse player at Auburn University, Caitlyn held various leadership positions on the team to include captain and coach.
Originally from the greater Atlanta area, Caitlyn was a three-sport high school athlete, earning six varsity letters in lacrosse, volleyball, and track.
Caitlyn’s favorite quote for all her athletes: “Trust and honor the process.”
Madi Scott
Madi Scott has been a dedicated lacrosse coach with Team FORCE. She was the Assistant Coach at Union Pines HS team, where they won the State Championship in the 2023-2024 season. With a rich coaching history in club lacrosse spanning Dallas, Denver, and Berkeley, Madi brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the sport.
An avid runner and triathlete, Madi has competed in two Ironman 70.3 events, showcasing her commitment to athletic excellence. As a former Division I lacrosse player at The Ohio State University from 2014-2018, Madi achieved Big Ten Distinguished Scholar status in her senior year, along with Academic All-Big Ten honors and Ohio State University Scholar-Athlete status for all four years.
Originally from Northern California, Madi was a two-sport athlete, earning six varsity letters in lacrosse and soccer. Her high school career included four state championships—three in lacrosse and one in soccer—and she was named to both the U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American team and the U.S. Lacrosse High School Academic All-American team.
Leah Ballesteros
Leah Ballesteros (Wasserman) is a Veteran and former Division I lacrosse player and 2015-2016 team captain for Army West Point. Member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. In high school, Leah was a four sport Varsity athlete and three sport team captain. She was a multi-year state qualifier for cross country and track. Member of league championship team for lacrosse.
Leah’s coaching experience includes three years coaching middle school girls lacrosse in Fayetteville from 2016-2019 and several camps to include Army’s college prospect camp and developmental camps for Carolina Force.
She currently works in tech and is passionate about motherhood, women’s health, and getting outdoors. She combines these passions by running marathons with Team Every Mother Counts, a non-profit that works towards equity in the maternal health space.
Maddy Schaefer
Born and raised on Long Island, Maddy Schaefer grew up playing travel lacrosse for the Long Island Yellow Jackets. She was a member of the Sayville High School Varsity team for all four years of high school, and was named All-County her senior season and to the All-Tournament Team as a junior.
Maddy brings both Division 1&2 playing experience to the coaching staff. She went to college to earn an Adolescence Education Degree and play Division 2 lacrosse at LIU Post. Maddy was a part of the team as they transitioned to Division 1.
As a coach, Maddy is committed to developing not only the lacrosse skills of her players, but also their character and sportsmanship. Maddy can’t wait to continue inspiring, guiding, and supporting Force athletes!
Amie Foster is an assistant coach with Carolina Force Lacrosse.
Amie began playing lacrosse in high school- with programs in both New Jersey and Missouri. She then played for four years for the Army Team at the United States Military Academy from 2004-2008 as a midfielder.
Amie has experience coaching at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels with the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation, Fayetteville Flames, Athletic Club of the Sandhills, and Carolina Flight (now 91 Carolina) programs.
Amie’s coaching style emphasizes fundamental stick skills, leadership on the field, and conditioning!
Amie is an active duty Army officer. Her husband and she have a home in Southern Pines. They enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling.
Katie McKay
Kate McKay is an assistant/goalie coach for all levels of the Carolina Force program this season. Born in Pinehurst, Kate has coached all levels of lacrosse locally since 2019.
Kate was a goalkeeper at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, a NCAA Division 2 program, where she played for three seasons (2020-2022). During her tenure, the team achieved a PSAC Conference Championship, a Final Four appearance, and a National Championship appearance. Kate was a two time PSAC Scholar Athlete and appeared on the Athletic Directors Honor Roll twice as well.
Kate played for the Pinecrest High School Women’s Lacrosse team for all four years at the Varsity level. Here, Kate was a three time All Conference Goalkeeper, team MVP, Conference Goalkeeper of the year, and recorded a career 56% save percentage. Kate was also member of the North Carolina team competing in the 2018 US Lacrosse National Tournament.
Erik Rastello
Born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Erik Rastello grew up playing competitive hockey up to the AAA level. Erik has been involved in coaching youth sports since 2018. He has taken his experience in competitive sports and focused on girls lacrosse in the past few years since his daughter started playing. Erik is currently certified by the USA Lacrosse Association with a Gold certification as a women's lacrosse coach.
Erik is passionate about fostering both the athletic abilities and personal growth of his players. His commitment extends beyond the field, aiming to build strong character and sportsmanship in each athlete. Erik looks forward to continuing to motivate, mentor, and uplift the Force athletes!
Alena Roney
Alena grew up in Maryland, where she became involved playing lacrosse for ULAX/Uproar. She was a member of the Arundel High School team before continuing to play club lacrosse at the University of South Florida for four years. Alena has previously coached for UPROAR Lacrosse in Lothian, Maryland and Wolves Lacrosse Club in Tampa, Florida and has experience coaching elementary and middle school levels.
As a coach, Alena is passionate about not only developing the lacrosse skills of her players but also an environment that facilitates personal growth on and off the field.
Alena enjoys running, hiking, camping, pickleball and reading in her free time!
