Juniors Team Leadership
Director
TROY BINGHAM B.SC (ACC) M.B.A.
Troy is a highly experienced and accomplished international soccer administrator, coach and player. He has a track record of success in Australia, South Africa and the United States in all aspects of the game.
As an administrator he has been successful as the CEO of Gold Coast United FC, Managing Partner of Maumee Indoor Soccer Centre, Owner of Bond University Junior Soccer Club, Founder of Gold Coast Futsal, Junior Director and Representative Program Director for Football Gold Coast and Commercial Director for Football Coaches Australia.
As a coach he holds an NSCAA National Coaching Diploma and held positions as Gannon University Mens Assistant Coach that went to the Final Four, Head Coach of Iroquois High School that made the state play-offs for the first time, Head Coach of Toledo Celtics FC and Technical Director of Virginia United FC. He has a strong track record in youth development in both the girls and boys game.
As a player he has been a South African under 19 International, an All American, a Collegiate Senior Bowl starter and is inducted into the Gannon University Sports Hall of Fame. He is Gannons second all time points scorer, was drafted by the Wichita Wings and has played in 2 final fours and for numerous professional clubs. Troy was also tournament MVP in the national championship winning Toledo University Club Soccer team which was awarded a proclamation from the City Of Toledo.
Technical Director
Colin Petersen
Colin Petersen is a Vereeniging, South Africa native. He came to the United States in 1993 on a soccer scholarship to Gannon University. His freshman year, the Knights advanced to the NCAA Final Four and he contributed 13 goals and 6 assists. Colin went on to earn All-Region honors twice and All-GLIAC honors their first 2 years in the conference.
Colin started his college coaching career as an assistant on the men’s and women’s program at Gannon before transitioning to head coach in 2002. He’s the winningest and longest tenured coach in Gannon’s 31-year history. Colin holds the record for most wins in a season with 158 wins. His program has developed 52 All-Region athletes and 48 All-PSAC athletes in the last 14 seasons. There have also been several Academic All-Americans. Colin enjoyed arguably his best season ever in 2015 when his team finished the regular season 17-1-0, #1 in the PSAC, #1 in the Atlantic Region, and #1 in the entire country for NCAA Division 2. They ended their playoff run with an 18-3-0 record and hosted the NCAA regionals.
Colin has 27 years of club coaching experience in several of the local clubs. He holds his United Soccer Coaches Advanced National coaching license.
Team Coaches
Lia Petersen
Lia Petersen is an Erie native who graduated from Academy High School. Lia attended Gannon University where she was a starting goalkeeper and field player. Lia ranks 13th in career saves. She went on to become the head coach at Fairview High School for 11 years. During her tenure, the Tigers earned 10 Region 2 titles, 9 District 10 championships, and 3 Western Finals appearances.
Lia went on to become the assistant coach at Gannon University where she’s been for 11 years. She helped the Knights to its best season ever in 2015 where they finished the regular season 17-1. They finished the regular season first in the PSAC, first in the Atlantic Region, and ranked #1 in the nation.
Lia brings 19 years of club coaching experience in the Erie region.
Evan Beutler
Evan Beutler joins the coaching staff with notable playing and coaching experience. Evan started his collegiate career at Division 1 Lipscomb University and eventually transferred to the University of West Alabama and graduated as a team captain and All-American. He then decided to take his playing career to the next level where he signed a professional contract with the Detroit Waza Flo in the Major Arena Soccer League. He was then awarded a 2-year contract to play for the York Region Shooters in the Canadian Soccer League. Evan is currently playing for the Erie Commodores as a player/coach.
Evan has coached for numerous soccer clubs throughout his playing career and has his USSF National E license. Evan was the Gannon University assistant in 2018 and then moved on to become the head girls’ coach at Girard High School where he currently coaches. Evan is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Performance Specialist and has started an individual training company called TekEVO.