Head Coach: Hans Plate

This is Coach Hans' third season year with Northern Elite. He has been around competitive soccer since he was 5. He started coaching in Harford County in 2006, mostly with rec teams but also with all-star teams, all of which have been very successful - measured in both growth in skill and love of the sport, as well as in win/loss record and tournament success. As a father to 5 daughters (currently ages 15 to 25), and having coached 4 of them in soccer, Coach Hans is very experienced in working with female players.

Like many coaches, he loves the sport of soccer and wants to pass along this love and passion to others through a positive coach-player experience, trying to get each player to see their potential as a great player, and helping her get there. Coach Hans is originally from Peru, South America and likes to incorporate the passing-heavy style of South American soccer with speed and aggressiveness. He sees passing to maintain possession as a means to an end, to look for the opportunities to use speed and one-on-one skill to attack the opposing team, overloading with numbers where possible.

Assistant Coach:Ken Macko

Bio: 
This is Ken's second season with Northern Elite but  previously coached  with Hans for 5 years.  He has been involved in soccer for the better part of 35 years both as a player and coach.  Ken played mostly midfield and wing during his playing career both at the club level and High School.  Attending Lycoming College, he played sweeper and was a 4 year starter anchoring the Warrior defense from 1997-2000.  Ken is a father of two girls (Mariah).  He is excited to be a part of the development of this very talented group of young ladies.

Assistant Coach: Veronica Plate

Bio: 
Veronica has played youth soccer since she was 5, most often as a striker or wing in a 4-3-3 formation. Her specialty as a player was speed and scoring goals. She went on to play as a starter on FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) through high school. She attended Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, MD, becoming President of their women's club soccer program and helping to get that program off the ground, including as a player-coach. She is excited to be a part of NESC and to be coaching with her father! Importantly, she provides a female role model to the girls on the team.