NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y.—Niagara women’s soccer head coach Peter Veltri announced the addition of two assistants to his 2013 coaching staff. 

The 15th year head coach named Pedro Martinez Losa and Leah Ponticello to his staff as the team prepares for their 2013 season. 

Losa has been working as an Advanced Training Instructor at the Western New York (WNY) Flash Youth Academy implemented by the WNY Flash, a professional soccer club based in Rochester, N.Y. which competes in the National Women’s Soccer League.    

Prior to working with Niagara and the WNY Flash, Losa was involved with professional and youth soccer in Spain for 18 years.   His career features positions as head coach of some of Spain’s elite professional teams including C.F. Pozuelo, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and C.F. Pozuelo Women’s First team.  During his time with Rayo Vallecano, he helped the squad to a Spanish Super League Women’s title and a UEFA Women’s Champions League appearance. 

Losa also has experience coaching on the youth side in Spain with A.D. Calasanz Pozuelo U13, U14, U15 Boys Academy, as well as for Atletico de Madrid, one of the most decorated clubs in the world. 

Losa obtained his bachelor of arts from Polytechnic University of Madrid and Camio Jose Cela University in Physical Activity and Sport.  He also has a UEFA ‘A’ Coaching License.   

Ponticello comes to Niagara on the heels of a season as an assistant coach at Hilbert College, and is currently serving as an assistant coach for the U15 girls team at Empire United Soccer Academy, driven by Major League Soccer’s the New England Revolution. 

She has also been a member of the coaching staff at Sahlen’s Sports Park in Elma, N.Y. since 2011, where she holds the head coaching position for the U8, U10 and U12 Champions Leagues, and assists with the U12 boy’s private training sessions.  The Kenmore, N.Y. native has also assisted with the U13 girls B team and the U16 girls A team.

Outside of coaching, Ponticello played for the Buffalo Premier Futbol Club from 2000-03, before representing both the Rochester Jr. Rhinos (RJR) and the New York State West Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams until 2007.

She played four years at Loyola University Chicago where the midfielder experienced success in the Horizon League becoming the conference playoff champions in 2007 before pocketing a regular season title the following year.  Before college, Ponticello played five years of high school varsity soccer, starting with Kenmore West before attending Mount St. Mary’s Academy for four years.  While there, the First Team Monsignor Martin Athletic Association All-Star helped her team to a pair of catholic high school state championships.  She wrapped up her career with 102 goals and three times was the MMAA leading goal scorer.  She also earned a spot on the Buffalo News Second Team All-Western New York, and a fourth team New York State accolade.    

Ponticello is a 2011 graduate of Loyola University Chicago where she earned her bachelor of arts in psychology.  She also holds an E coaching license.