If Ashley DeVito can promise one thing to her new Norwin girls soccer players, it's this:
She plans to challenge them to reach their full potential and provide the necessary support, even if it means giving tough feedback. However, she'll always treat them with respect and give them the tools they need to grow.
DeVito, 31, was chosen as the new coach after Diane Metzger, a former Norwin student who coached for three seasons, resigned.
DeVito, currently an assistant principal at Propel Braddock Hills, played at Penn Hills and coached their girls team for seven years (2015-21). She is familiar with Norwin's strong history and aims to make the program a postseason contender again after missing the playoffs in the last two seasons.
Norwin had a 4-14 record last year and finished three spots from the bottom in Section 2-4A.
DeVito has great respect for the Norwin soccer community due to its rich history and support. She is particularly excited about the strong connection from the youth program to the high school program and the community support.
DeVito has coaching experience with the Allegheny Force Football Club and currently coaches in the Beadling Soccer Club. She was a four-year player at Penn Hills and NCAA Division II Edinboro.
She anticipates a mutual mentality to develop from the start at Norwin.
She brings a very high energy to the sideline and believes that her players work hard for her because they see her working hard for them.
DeVito will not let the Lady Knights play defensively.
She wants her players to maintain possession and take care of the ball, while also being bold and creative in taking risks and going one-on-one with opponents. The main goal is always to keep possession, but there are times when being aggressive is appropriate.
