Saint Joseph's University (PA)

Saint Joseph's University Athletics
5600 City Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19131

Division 1 Pennsylvania Northeast

Private Medium National competitor

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Coaches

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Jess Mannella

The only coach in Saint Joseph's program history to lead the Hawks to the Atlantic 10 Tournament, Jess Mannella returns for her 24th season at the helm of the women's soccer squad in 2023-24

In 23 seasons, Mannella has turned around a team that posted a single A-10 win in the year before she arrived, to a highly-competitive club that has since made 12 postseason appearances and captured the 2016 A-10 regular season title.

Along with team success, the 2016 A-10 Coach of the Year has guided 10 Hawks to All-Region honors, and 29 Hawks to A-10 All-Conference accolades including four Rookies of the Year, three Midfielders of the Year and two Offensive Players of the Year.

Away from the sidelines, Mannella has also been instrumental in guiding the team's previous trips to Brazil, Norway, Spain, California and Colorado. She has directed off-season camps to help raise money for the team, as well as local charities, and was instrumental in establishing volunteer and community service projects for the team.

Prior to coming to Saint Joseph's in August of 2001, she spent one year as head coach at West Chester University, where the Golden Rams compiled a record of 10-9-1. In addition to her responsibilities of handling the soccer team, Mannella also coordinated all aspects of West Chester's extensive summer camp.

A four-year starter at Delaware, Mannella earned her undergraduate degree in education in 1997. One of the top playmakers in Blue Hens history, she currently ranks 10th all-time in program history in assists (13) and helped her team to a 48-25-3 record from 1993-96. She returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach in April of 1999 and also served as an assistant women's soccer coach at Temple for one season.

A native of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Mannella presently serves as head coach of FC BUCKS U17 NPL team and coaches the U7 and U8 CRUSA Academy. She is also currently working towards a master's degree in educational leadership at Saint Joseph's. A former standout at Strath Haven High School, Mannella currently resides in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Dan, and daughters.

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Tori Corsaro

Beginning her fourth season as an assistant coach with the Saint Joseph’s women’s soccer program in 2023-24 is Tori Corsaro.

In her first season with the Hawks, Corsaro helped a youthful goalkeeping group ranks seventh in the conference in saves, and eighth in goals against average, while rookie Katie Cappelletti was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week once.

In 2021, Corsaro oversaw a strong performance in goal by the Hawks, capped by Cappelletti etching her name in the Hawks' record book as she finished the season in the top-five in shutouts (seven) and saves (114).

Helping the Hawks earn another A-10 Championship bid in 2022, Corsaro continued to mold Cappelletti into one of the top keepers in the league, as the junior helped SJU advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament behind a shuout victory over VCU, earning Cappelletti All-Championship Team honors. Additionally, Corsaro's strategy and teaching helped Cappelletti and the Hawks post seven shutouts.

Corsaro came to Hawk Hill after more than four years at The Keeper Institute. Among her responsibilities, Corsaro served as a technical goalkeeper trainer and helped design and host sessions, analyze performances and create programs with the intent of helping goalkeepers reach their goals. Additionally, she helped clip and analyze video training, served as social media coordinator and hosted The Keeper Institute Podcast.

In the Fall of 2017, Corsaro served as the technical goalkeeper trainer for the Pennsylvania Strikers. Prior to that, she helped train and developer goalkeepers as an assistant coach at Widener for the 2016 season.

A collegiate standout in her own right, Corsaro was a four-year starter and team captain at Le Moyne. Appearing in 63 career game with a 1.64 goals against average, she continued her playing career after graduation as a practice player with Sky Blue FC from 2017 through the preseason in 2018.

A standout off the field, Corsaro also served as Co-President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Le Moyne and was a captain for the Le Moyne Love Your Melon branch to help improve the lives of children battling cancer. She graduated cum laude in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and information systems.

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Jake Dowiak

Currently in his second season as an assistant coach with the Saint Joseph's women's soccer program is Jake Dowiak.

In his first year on Hawk Hill, Dowiak helped the Hawks to a seventh place finish in the Atlantic 10, and a run to the semifinals of the A-10 Championship.

Dowiak came to Saint Joseph’s after serving as an assistant coach with Rutgers-Camden’s men’s soccer team this past year. In his season with the Scarlet Raptors, Dowiak helped the program advance to the semifinals of the ECAC Championship, while four student-athletes garnered NJAC postseason honors.

Along with experience at the collegiate level, Dowiak has coached at the developmental level and high school ranks. Most recently, he served as regional coach and camp coordinator for Steel United Soccer Club, where he created sessions that focus on improving technical and tactical ability, and designed conditioning programs.

Dowiak, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Rutgers-Camden, also has served as an assistant coach with the Ocean City Nor’easters, and spent four years as the assistant director of coaching for the Cherry Hill Football Club. Dowiak also led the boys’ soccer program as head coach of Bishop Eustace Preparatory for six years, leading the Crusaders to a pair of conference championships.