Coaching Staff
Ross Liberati
Director of Philly Soccer Camps
Ross Liberati was named head coach of the Widener men's soccer team on July 16, 2019. He brings nearly a decade of collegiate coaching experience including work at the Division I level to the Pride.
“We are very excited to bring Ross on board as our men’s soccer coach,” said Shafer. “His work and accomplishments at multiple levels in Division I and III, recruiting success, and leadership training related to the student-athlete experience helped him to stand among a strong field of candidates as someone who can help move our program forward, on and off the field.”
Most recently, Liberati spent three seasons as the top assistant at Bucknell where he was responsible for scouting, recruiting, and film sessions. The Bison posted 20 wins during his time, qualifying for the Patriot League Tournament twice, advancing to the semifinals in 2016. While at Bucknell, Liberati helped mentor three All-Region and seven All-Conference performers, also seeing seven student-athletes garner Patriot League All-Academic Team honors.
Prior to Bucknell, Liberati worked at Washington & Lee University where he helped guide the 2015 Generals to the only undefeated regular season in ODAC history, the school’s first conference championship, and W&L’s first berth in the NCAA tournament in 15 seasons. Overall, Washington & Lee posted a 37-12-9 record during his tenure. With the Generals, Liberati was primarily responsible for the defense, with four of his backs and goalkeepers earning All-Region accolades as Washington & Lee held opponents to 0.80 goals per game during the 58-match span.
Liberati opened his coaching career at Frostburg State where he led film sessions, created scouting reports, and was responsible for the academic advising and study hall efforts of the Bears.
On the national level, Liberati was selected for the United Soccer Coaches Top 30 Under 30 Award. He holds USSF Class, D, E, and F licenses, and earned his National Diploma, Advanced National Diploma, and Premier Diploma with highest distinction.
As a player, Liberati was a two-time All-Region honoree, leading Bucknell to Patriot League Championships in 2009 and 2010.
The Warwick, Md. native earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Bucknell in 2011 and his MBA from Frostburg State in 2013.
Jared Welsh
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach | Recruiting Coordinator
Jared Welsh is in his first season as an assistant coach for the Pride in 2023. He serves as the top assistant coach on the Pride’s staff, as well as the recruiting coordinator.
In Welsh's coaching journey, he has worked with soccer players and teams across various levels. His collegiate coaching experience includes a stint as the assistant men's soccer coach at Eastern University, where he excelled as the Lead Recruiting Coordinator. Welsh helped to bring in fifteen recruits for the 2023 class. In addition, he assisted with first-team training, managed team interactions with the community, video analysis for first-team players, and led the Eastern University Development Team. Welsh’s expertise extends to the NCAA Division I level as well. Prior to joining Eastern, he served as a graduate assistant at the University of Northern Colorado. Welsh assisted with goalkeeping training, opponent scouting, and video analysis, among other areas. He was a part of the team who had one of the best regular seasons in program history in 2021.
At the club level, Welsh previously worked with ECNL teams for the Fort Collins Soccer Association in Fort Collins, Colo. He led the team to its most successful season in three years. Currently, he is working with Penn Fusion Soccer Academy's U16 and U17 boys. Welsh has been known for developing competitive environments with his teams while holistically developing aspiring collegiate athletes.
In addition to his experience coaching, Welsh possesses as master’s degree in Sports Coaching from the University of Northern Colorado and a B.S. in Business Management from St. John Fisher University. He is also licensed by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) with the National "C" License.
August Axtman
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach
August Axtman is in his first season as an assistant men's soccer coach for the Pride.
Axtman graduated from King’s College, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, in May of 2020, where he was a defender for the men’s soccer team from 2016-2019. He captained the Monarchs during his junior and senior season. In his four years, he was recognized for numerous awards, including being a three-time All-Mid-Atlantic Regional defender, All-MAC Freedom First Team defender, and All-MAC All-Academic player. In his senior season, he was also recognized as an Academic All-American defender and the MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the year.
Axtman has also played for the City Islander’s U23 team (2016-2017), Hershey FC (NPSL 2018-2019), where he was a captain, and most recently with the Philadelphia Lone Stars (NPSL & USL 2 2020-2021).
During his undergraduate studies, Axtman coached the U19 Girls Back Mountain Youth Soccer Academy team in Scranton, PA, and is currently coaching the Lower Merion 04 Ambush club team. He has completed his U.S. National E & F Soccer Coaching licenses. Axtman most recently graduated with his Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from Widener in 2021.
Cate Puglisi
Director of Operations