Lauryn Hutchinson, a Virginia native and VCU women’s soccer alumna, was named head coach of the VCU women’s soccer team, and will return to her alma mater as the seventh head coach in the program’s history.
“Lauryn has the passion, energy and determination to lead our women’s soccer program into the next chapter. Her deep love for VCU and her ability to connect with people through the game will pay huge dividends as she builds relationships with the student-athletes, program alumni and the vibrant Richmond soccer community,” Rams’ Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin said. “She played the game at the highest level internationally and has built her career on developing and improving young people into the best version of themselves through sport. I look forward to welcoming her home to the Rams.”
Hutchinson is a UEFA B licensed coach who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in coaching and player development, all the way up to the semi-professional level, in her return to VCU for her first Division I head coaching role.
“VCU has always been more than just a school to me—it’s a place that shaped who I am, both on and off the field. Four years of playing, a master’s degree, and the incredible mentorship from Tim and Tiff Sahaydak have instilled in me a culture of excellence and resilience that I will carry forever,” Hutchinson said. “Their impact on my life has been nothing short of life-changing, and now, coming full circle as Head Coach here at VCU the very program that molded me is a blessing I can hardly put into words.
“VCU isn’t just an institution; it’s an experience—an experience that I am determined to ensure every player here gets to live. I will lead them to train like professionals, have fun in the process, and graduate as not only skilled athletes but exceptional humans. This is my homecoming, and I’m here to make it count.”
Currently, Hutchinson serves as head coach of UNKNWN Football Club, a Women’s Premier Soccer League team, preparing athletes for professional football through competition with professional clubs and personal development opportunities. In addition to technical coaching, Hutchinson notably focuses on talent identification and recruitment.
Hutchinson is also currently part of the USL PPR Program with USL League One’s Richmond Kickers, an initiative that supports BIPOC and women coaches in achieving professional aspirations through a structured, pro-level environment. In her role, Hutchinson provides an immersive experience and real-world training to high-performing coaches.
For nearly five years, Hutchinson has served as head technical director and coach for UNKNWN Athlete (UK F.C.) as its founder and CEO, overseeing the observation, evaluation, and coaching of players as well as instructing coaches on strategies for college and professional-level play and training.
Since 2016, Hutchinson has worked as an international professional trainer. The extensive list of athletes directly impacted by Hutchinson includes youth national players from multiple countries, as well as men’s and women’s athletes from Champions League teams, and players in MLS, USL Championship, USL League One for men, as well as high-caliber NWSL players
Prior to her work as a professional trainer, Hutchinson served as a coach at the youth level, developing high school, travel soccer and futsal players ranging from ages eight to 19. She worked with multiple organizations in Virginia, building both young athletes and the foundation for her coaching career alike.
The defender played with the Trinidad & Tobago Senior National Team from 2011 through 2022, where she competed at the highest levels for twelve years, amassing 37 caps and scoring five goals. Her distinguished career includes two Pan American Games, three CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, two Olympic Qualifiers, and recognition on the Starting XI Team of the Decade.
Hutchinson played for VCU women’s soccer for four years under former USWNT player and World Cup gold medalist Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak from 2009-2012.
Compiling over 1300 minutes of playing time and making 53 career appearances and 20 starts, Hutchinson also split her time playing for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. In the final year of her collegiate career, the defender helped lead VCU to its second consecutive conference tournament championship game and a 12-5-5 record, going 6-2-1 against Atlantic 10 opponents.
A Sterling, Va., native, Hutchinson was a standout multi-sport athlete at Dominion High School, captaining her soccer team as a senior and making school history as the only freshman girl to earn a spot on both the varsity soccer and varsity basketball squads.
Matt Freibaum joined the VCU women’s soccer staff in May 2025 as an assistant coach.
Freibaum arrives at VCU following four seasons coaching for American University women’s soccer.
In his time at AU, Freibaum held titles of Director of Operations, Director of Player Development, and Recruiting Coordinator. Freibaum helped to coach athletes to eight All-Patriot League honors in Tate Jordan (2021), Asia Horne (2021, 2022), Natalie Oliver (2022), Izzy Kadzban (2022, 2023, 2024) and Lailah Stewart (2024).
He worked directly with AU’s attacking unit and oversaw a dramatic improvement in offensive production between 2021-24. AU’s attacking unit went from last place in 2021, to a top 3 unit in the Patriot League by 2024.
Prior to his time at American, Freibaum spent two seasons at Wofford.
During his time at Wofford, he oversaw all aspects of the program and served as Director of Operations and Recruiting Coordinator, bringing in two players who earned 2021 Southern Conference All-Freshman Team honors. His work with the attacking players saw Wofford’s scoring output double from 2019 to 2021.
In his playing days, Freibaum was a three-year starter at York College. A forward for the Spartans, Freibaum was named All-Conference as a senior after leading the team with 17 points on five goals and seven assists. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at VCU. The Rams were ranked as high as No. 19 in the country in 2012, and reached as high as No. 8 in the national rankings the following year. In both seasons at VCU, Freibaum earned NCAA Tournament berths.
A native of Mount Airy, Md., Freibaum was a highly-decorated athlete at Linganore High School, including an Offensive Player of the Year honor and was an All-State Selection.
Mario Sequeira Quesada joined the VCU women’s soccer staff in May 2025 as an assistant coach.
A two-time graduate of VCU, five-year goalkeeper for the Rams’ men’s soccer program and former assistant director of equipment and operations at VCU, Sequeira makes his return to his alma mater to take on a new role with the women’s soccer program.
Sequeira earned his U.S. Soccer Federation National D Coaching License and multiple United Soccer Coaches Diplomas, including Goalkeeping Level 2 and 3. He joins the VCU staff with both local and international coaching experience, most recently serving as a goalkeeper and assistant coach with CD Malilla in Valencia, Spain, during an apprenticeship.
Following his time as a student-athlete with the Rams, Sequeira remained in the city with the Richmond Goalkeeping Academy through 2024 and was elevated to lead goalkeeping coach in February of 2023. He collaborated on player curriculum and training development, while helping develop young athletes to play at a higher level.
Completing a pair of degrees at VCU, Sequeira graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, Print and Online Journalism before earning his master’s degree in the Center for Sport Leadership in 2021. More recently, he was also a student of the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona program at the Johan Cruyff Institute.
As a Ram, Sequeira totaled over 6,400 minutes in goal for VCU and led the Rams to a 33-23-9 record with 21 shutouts, including a career-high eight as a freshman.
A standout on and off the pitch, Sequeira was the 2022 winner of VCU Athletics’ prestigious Michael Brown Award, which is presented to a VCU Ram who exemplifies the “all-around” student-athlete.
A native of San Jose, Costa Rica, Sequeira was a member of Costa Rica’s U20 World Cup team in 2017.
