Coaches

VARSITY HEAD COACH: Russell Oost-Lievense ’08

Russell Oost-Lievense is only the 4th permanent head coach in Staples soccer’s 64-year history.

After serving as the Wreckers’ tri-captain in 2007, Oost-Lievense played at Hartwick College, where he majored in English and special education. He became an assistant coach at Hartwick, coached in the Oneonta, New York youth program, and spent several summers running a camp on Cape Cod. After working with the Beachside Soccer Club, he now coaches Inter and CFC club teams. He also works as the soccer program director for Bridgeport’s Brighter Lives for Kinds Foundation, an after-school mentoring project.

Oost-Lievense joined the Staples staff in 2017, as freshman coach. He spent 2 years in that role, 2 as reserves coach, and the past 2 as varsity assistant. Last year he earned a US Soccer “coaching license. He is a special education teacher at Darien High School.

Russell Oost-Lievense, in front of the Staples trophy case.

 RESERVE COACH: Chris Flaherty

A member of the University of Bridgeport women’s staff — where he helped win a Division II national championship in 2018 — Chris has also won state championships with the Westhill girls program, and reached the state final with the Darien boys.

A Liverpool, England native who holds Level 1 and 2 badges from the English Football Association, and an Advanced National Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, Chris is a graduate of Mitchell College. He was a 2-time captain at the New London school, earning national 1st and 2nd team All-America honors.

Chris currently coaches for CFC. He owns the Kickerz Soccer Coaching company and is a director for FC New England, a summer program taking players to the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

Chris and his wife Elizabeth live in Trumbull.

Chris Flaherty

FRESHMAN COACH: Elisee Joseph

Elisee was a 3-year starter at Stamford High School and 4-year starter at Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he helped win a North Atlantic Conference championship, and graduated with a major in business management and a minor in marketing.

Elisee served as varsity assistant at King Low Heywood School in Stamford and at New Canaan High School, where the boys team won the state title in 2010.

He holds a US Soccer coaching license, and has worked with the MKS organization since 2011. Elisee is well known for training and mentoring players through private sessions year round.

Elisee Joseph