Head Coach Ashley Cordeiro

Phone  504-520-7328
Email  acordeir@xula.edu

Ashley Cordeiro enters her fourth season as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Xavier University of Louisiana in 2026 after launching the program and quickly establishing the Gold Nuggets as one of the NAIA’s premier programs.

A native of Dundee, Scotland, Cordeiro began her collegiate playing career at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science while competing for the Eagles.

Following graduation, Cordeiro remained at Oklahoma Wesleyan for two years as the assistant women’s soccer coach while earning her Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Cordeiro spent the next six seasons as the head coach at Pratt Community College before being selected to start the women’s soccer program at Xavier University of Louisiana.

In her first three seasons at Xavier, Cordeiro has guided the Gold Nuggets to three consecutive NAIA National Championship Tournament appearances, advancing to the second round each season. She led Xavier to the Red River Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship in the program’s inaugural season and was named the Red River Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Over the past two seasons, the Gold Nuggets captured back-to-back Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Championships, continuing the program’s rapid rise on the national stage. Cordeiro has also been honored twice as the Louisiana Coach of the Year. She currently holds a USSF National C License.

As she enters her fourth season, Cordeiro continues to build a championship culture at Xavier, emphasizing excellence on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the student-athlete experience.

Daniel Cordeiro - Assistant Coach

Phone: 504-520-5344
Email: dcordeir@xula.edu

Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Daniel Cordeiro came to the United States in 2014 to attend Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business and was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. He later served as a graduate assistant for two years while completing an MBA in Marketing. Prior to joining Xavier University of Louisiana in 2025 as an Assistant Women's Soccer Coach, Cordeiro worked as a performance analyst, providing video analysis and tactical support for professional and youth soccer players. At Xavier, he contributes to player development, recruiting, scouting, and the continued success of the women's soccer program.






 

Saad Maziane - Graduate Assistant Coach

Email: smaziane@xula.edu

A Casablanca, Morocco, native, Saad Maziane graduated from Young Harris College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was named in the All-Region team and received All-American Third Team honors. 







 

Breno Zanolla - Graduate Assistant Coach

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Breno Zanolla serves as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Xavier University of Louisiana women’s soccer program. A Xavier alumnus with a degree in Business Management, Zanolla was a three-time First Team All-Conference goalkeeper, served as team captain, and helped lead the Gold Rush to the first conference tournament championship in program history.

Michael Plaisance - Volunteer Assistant Coach

A native New Orleanian, Michael played collegiately at Spring Hill College before graduating from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law and Loyola University Chicago College of Law. He has coached at various clubs and at every competitive level in the state of Louisiana. He was a longtime member of the Olympic Development Program coaching staff for both the state of Louisiana and USYS South Region. Outside of XULA, he coaches in the ECNL RL for Mandeville Soccer Club. As a high school coach, Michael has earned numerous accolades including:  

• Louisiana Distinguished Coach of the Year – Louisiana Soccer Association (2026)
• Small School Coach of the Year for Louisiana – United Soccer Coaches (2025)
• Division 3 All State Coach of the Year – Louisiana Association of Soccer Coaches (2025)
• All Star Coach Selection (East) – Louisiana High School Coaches Association (2024)
• District Coach of the Year – Various Districts (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)

Support Staff

DeAndre Walker, Athletic Trainer
Sofia Lopez, Strength & Conditioning Coach