Grand Rapids, Mich. – A new era of Aquinas College women's soccer is officially taking shape.

As the Saints prepare for the 2026 season, new Head Coach Mario Zuniga-Gil will lead a revamped coaching staff that combines collegiate experience, player development expertise, international perspective and a familiar Aquinas face returning home.

Joining Zuniga-Gil are Chris Denham as assistant coach, former Aquinas standout Ariana Garcia as assistant coach and reserve team head coach, and Carissa Quador as goalkeeper coach.

Together, the four will guide a program with an established tradition of success while putting their own stamp on the next chapter of Aquinas women's soccer.

Zuniga-Gil Takes the Reins

A native of Spain, Zuniga-Gil arrived at Aquinas with a coaching résumé that stretches across multiple levels of collegiate, club and international soccer.

Most recently the head women's soccer coach at Grand Rapids Community College, Zuniga-Gil has also worked with nationally successful programs at Grand Valley State, Calvin and Michigan.

At Grand Valley State, he was part of GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament championship teams and NCAA Division II postseason runs that included Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight appearances. At Calvin, he helped the Knights capture the 2024 MIAA Regular Season and Tournament championships and advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

His résumé also includes being part of Michigan's 2021 Big Ten Tournament championship and NCAA Division I Elite Eight run.

Now, Zuniga-Gil's attention turns toward Aquinas and building the staff that will help lead the Saints forward.

A Saint Comes Home

While much of the staff is new to Aquinas, one member certainly doesn't need an introduction to Saints soccer.

Garcia returns to AQ after completing one of the most decorated playing careers in program history.

A four-year captain, Garcia was a four-time NAIA First Team All-American and four-time academic honoree during her career in Maroon and White. Her playing experience also includes representing the United States with the U.S. Youth National Futsal Team and winning two national championships with Midwest United FC.

Garcia will serve as an assistant coach while taking the lead of the Saints' reserve team, giving her an opportunity to help develop the next generation of Aquinas players.

For Garcia, returning to Aquinas brings her soccer journey full circle — moving from student-athlete and captain to a member of the coaching staff for the program she once helped lead on the field.

Experience Added to the Sideline

Denham brings more than 16 years of coaching experience in the girls' and women's game to the Saints.

A former collegiate player at Cornerstone, Denham currently serves as the Affiliate & Partner Club Director at Midwest United FC. His coaching background also includes Grand Rapids Community College, Davenport, the Muskegon Risers UWS program and Michigan Rangers FC.

Denham holds both a U.S. Soccer B License and U.S. Soccer Coach Educator License, adding another player-development and teaching element to the new staff.

His connection with Zuniga-Gil and belief in the direction of the Aquinas program helped bring him to the Saints as the staff begins building its identity together.

Quador Takes Charge of the Keepers

Rounding out the new-look staff is Quador, who brings more than 15 years of goalkeeper coaching experience to Aquinas.

A former Davenport goalkeeper, Quador's playing career has extended beyond the traditional college game into indoor soccer, futsal and professional beach soccer.

Her coaching background includes work with high school, club, collegiate and semi-professional players throughout West Michigan. Quador currently serves as head coach of the Shoreline City women's semi-professional futsal team and has also worked in specialized goalkeeper clinics with former D.C. United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra.

At Aquinas, her focus will be on the Saints' goalkeepers and their continued technical and personal development.

Four Coaches, One Direction

The result is a staff that brings together four distinctly different soccer backgrounds.

Zuniga-Gil brings an international perspective and experience with championship-caliber collegiate programs. Denham adds more than a decade and a half of player development and coaching education. Quador brings specialized goalkeeper expertise and a diverse playing background. Garcia provides something none of the others can — firsthand knowledge of what it means to wear an Aquinas uniform and compete as a Saint.

Now, their experiences come together at Aquinas as the program prepares to begin a new chapter in 2026.

It's a great day to be a Saint.