Spartanburg Methodist College Names Catarina Dantas Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Spartanburg Methodist College and Head Women’s Soccer Coach Kennedy Dunnings have announced the hiring of Catarina Dantas as the program’s new assistant coach.

“We are thrilled to welcome Catarina to our program,” said Dunnings. “Her experience as both a high-level player and a dedicated coach brings tremendous value to our team. She has a strong understanding of player development and a passion for mentoring student-athletes. Catarina’s energy, knowledge, and commitment to excellence make her a perfect fit for our culture, and we are excited about the impact she will have on our program.”

Dantas joins the Pioneers after spending the past three years as a private soccer trainer, where she provided individualized instruction to youth players across a wide range of ages and skill levels. Her commitment to player development and technical growth has helped shape aspiring athletes throughout the region.

In addition to her private training experience, Dantas served as a youth coach with CFC Soccer Club in Spartanburg, further expanding her coaching background at the grassroots level. She also held leadership roles as Soccer Director and Sports Counselor at Woodmont Summer Camp in Boca Raton, Florida, where she oversaw programming and daily operations for young athletes.

A standout collegiate player at USC Upstate, Dantas was a four-year starter and earned First Team All-Big South honors three times during her career. She played a key role in leading the Spartans to their first-ever Big South Tournament championship in 2022, earning All-Tournament Team recognition. USC Upstate also finished as conference runner-up twice during her tenure.