Edge Soccer Academy Coaching Staff
Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Franklin Pierce University
Matt Johnson enters his third full season at the helm of the Franklin Pierce women's soccer program in February of 2023. In his first season at Franklin Pierce, the team went 9-4-4, finishing 5th in the Northeast-10 conference and qualifying for NE-10 conference tournament play. In his second season (fall of 2022), the Franklin Pierce women’s soccer team had their best fall in 15 years, finishing with an overall record of 16-4-3. The Ravens captured a share of first place in the Northeast-10 conference, were the second ranked team in the East Region and advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 game where they lost to Westchester in double overtime. The ladies finished the 2022 campaign as the 12th ranked team in the country after being ranked in the top 25 nationally for most of the year. Also, in the fall of 2022, the Franklin Pierce women’s soccer coaching staff was named Northeast-10 and NCAA East Region staff of the year.
No stranger to the Northeast-10 Conference, Johnson has spent the past 15-plus years at American International College, including an eight-season stint as head coach of the Yellow Jackets’ women’s soccer program from 2005 through 2013. While at AIC, Johnson took Springfield’s “City of Progress” moniker to heart, as he took one of Division II’s more moribund programs -- they were 13-67-2 the five years prior to his arrival -- and turned it into a national contender. He was named NE10 Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2012, and added East Region Coach of the Year honors in 2012. He steered the Yellow Jackets to NCAA Championship appearances in 2010, 2012 and 2013, the latter of which included a run all the way to the national semifinal. Johnson brings a 76-70-11 career record with him to Franklin Pierce. He went 52-23-7 over his final four seasons at the helm of the Yellow Jackets.
Johnson also coaches two club teams (2005/06 and 2012 girls) for the Juventus Soccer Club in Western Massachusetts.
In addition to his time as women’s soccer coach at AIC, Johnson served as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance beginning with his hire in 2005. He was elevated to Associate Athletic Director status in 2011 and then took over the big chair in July of 2014, when he was promoted to Director of Athletics. Johnson spent six years in the AD position before electing to return to the coaching ranks.
Originally from Holyoke, Mass., Johnson is a 2000 graduate of former NE10 member Merrimack, with a degree in finance, and was a two-time All-NE10 selection on the field for the Warriors. He later returned to his alma mater for a stint as an assistant coach after earning his master’s degree in athletic administration from Springfield College in 2004. Prior to joining AIC, Johnson spent a year at then-NE10 member Massachusetts Lowell, where he worked as the River Hawks’ External Affairs Coordinator.
Kevon Isa
Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Franklin Pierce University
Kevon Isa was named the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Franklin Pierce University in December of 2021. Isa previously served as the head coach at American International College from 2014 to 2021.
In the fall of 2022, Isa helped lead the Franklin Pierce women’s soccer program to their best season in 15 years, finishing with an overall record of 16-4-3. The Ravens captured a share of first place in the Northeast-10 conference, were the second ranked team in the East Region and advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 game where they lost to Westchester in double overtime.
While serving as the head coach at AIC, Isa led the Yellow Jackets to their first NCAA Tournament appearance of his head coaching tenure in 2016, winning 11 regular-season contests and recording a 9-5-0 Northeast-10 record. The Yellow Jackets were seeded fifth in the East Region, and advanced to the Regional Semifinals after defeating NE10 Tournament Champion Stonehill 3-1. Seven of the team's players earned All-Northeast-10 honors and five were named to the NEWISA All-New England Team.
In 2015 Isa led his squad to an eight-win turnaround from the previous season finishing third in the conference with a 12-5-2 record. AIC fell to Assumption in the Quarterfinals of the NE10 playoffs in PKs after a 0-0 tie. Isa coached three All-Region members during the 2015 season including four-time All-Conference player and three-time All-Region honoree Romina Bell.
Isa helped guide the Yellow Jackets to a 52-23-7 record over his final four years as an assistant with three NCAA tournament appearances including a trip to the national semifinals in 2013 while posting a record of 18-3-2; the season prior, AIC captured the Northeast-10 regular season title in 2012 with a near-perfect mark of 12-1-2 in conference play.
Isa also coaches two teams (2007 and 2010 girls) for the Juventus Soccer Club in Western Massachusetts.
Isa holds Advanced National and Regional Goalkeeper diplomas from the United Soccer Coaches Association (USC) and has a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) B License.
As a player, Isa was a two-year letter winner as a member of the Yellow Jackets’ men’s soccer team and was named captain his senior season. Prior to his arrival at AIC, Isa played two years at Bryant & Stratton Junior College in Syracuse, New York where he was a two-year captain. He also earned all-league honors and was the recipient of the team’s Leadership Award.
Isa later played professionally with the Springfield Legends in the PSAL and the Massachusetts Twisters of the American Indoor Soccer League. He was also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago U-17 and U-20 National Teams.
Isa is a 2002 graduate of AIC, earning a bachelor’s of science in marketing, and is working towards his master's degree at AIC.
Rhiann Ryan
Olivia Crespo