Stacey Balaam is entering her third year as the assistant coach of the North Georgia women’s soccer team.

Following a successful first year that saw her help guide the team to a school-record 16 wins (16-3-1) and a trip to the NCAA Division II tournament, she helped lead the Saints to a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2012, where they again advanced to the Round of 32.

She has continued her playing career the last three seasons playing with the Atlanta Silverbacks W-League. In 2011, the team won the national championship  while losing just one game all season and in 2012, as the team's vice-captain, Balaam helped lead the team to an 8-1-3 record.

Balaam came to North Georgia with extensive coaching and playing experience, most recently as the assistant coach of the University of Montevello women’s soccer team for two years.

“Stacey has a real passion for the game,” head coach Chris Adams said. “The players were thoroughly impressed with her energy and enthusiasm during the interview process and I believe she will step in and be a valuable member of our coaching staff.”

During her playing days at Montevallo, she was a two-time All-American, three-time All-Region and four-time All-Conference player. She was named South Region Player of the Year in her junior year and led the nation in assists both her junior and senior years.

Balaam was a captain for three years at UM and was awarded the Most Valuable Player award three times and equaled the team’s record in career points.

A native from Suffolk, England, Balaam was a member of the U19 national squad before beginning her college career in the United States.

After completing her college career, Balaam was scouted to play semi-professionally in Iceland where she ended her season with a game-winning goal and was named to the National Premier League’s Team of the Week.

In the spring of 2009, Balaam was the assistant coach at Hoover High School and was a part of the coaching staff for the Alabama Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.