Stacey Balaam is entering her second 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. The Saints also claimed their first-ever victory in the NCAAs and advanced to the round of 32.

She has continued her playing career the last two 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.