MISSION

Synergy Soccer Club was founded in 2009 as an organization dedicated to the physical and mental development of high-level youth soccer players in a fun and competitive environment.  We aim to develop players that demonstrate confidence on the ball, a well-rounded understanding of the game, and a strong competitive spirit.

8U-10U DEVELOPMENT

Synergy puts a strong emphasis on the development of young a players technical abilities.  Higher level tactics and physical capabilities are wasted on players that cannot execute their decisions on the ball.  We strive to make all of our young players confident on the ball and excited about using various skills and techniques throughout the course of the games.  We encourage players to have fun while they play with the expectation that this encourages them to play and develop outside of training and games as well.  We take a long term approach to development recognizing that winning at these ages, while still important and fun, is not nearly as important as mastering the skills necessary to excel in the game at an older age.

11U-15U DEVELOPMENT

Synergy offers a more balanced approach between technical execution and tactical understanding.  At these ages, we strive to turn players into true soccer players, not just athletes that play soccer.  While still focusing on technical development at a faster pace and more accurate precision, we also strive to teach players to understand their roles on the field within the team concept.  We still want players to have fun and enjoy the game, but with a further emphasis on their development process and how each player can reach their potential.  Players at these ages will be expected to move the ball fluidly, maintain position and shape off the ball, and work together to provide their team the best opportunity to find success.

16U-19U DEVELOPMENT

Synergy strives to create players with not only the ability, but a desire to continue to play beyond their high school years.  At these older ages, we continue to build on our technical and tactical principles, while adding more physical training and making sure to develop confidence and a winning mentality.   Players will be expected to make a commitment to the team which includes the summer, winter, and spring (for boys) or fall (for girls).  Teams will play in high level leagues including the IL State Premiership Division, USYS National League’s Midwest Conference, and compete in various showcase tournaments.  We will also aid players to whatever degree they would like in the college search process in order to help them take the next step in their soccer journey.

WHY CHOOSE SYNERGY

Synergy Soccer Club provides a great experience for our youth players.  We strive to create personal relationships with our players and help them to develop not only their soccer abilities, but also friendships and a competitive spirit that will last a lifetime.

BEN HINCHEY

BEN HINCHEY

President and Director of Coaching

Ben got his start playing competitive soccer in Glen Ellyn when he was nine years old. This includes three seasons on the Glenbard West Boys Varsity Soccer team where he, as a team captain, earned all-conference, all-sectional, and all-area honors. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was a part of the Division I Men’s Soccer team for four years. During his career at Butler the team was NCAA nationally ranked and highly regarded as a top Midwestern soccer program. Ben began coaching with the Glen Ellyn Raiders program in 2003. He also organized and ran the Raiders Youth Summer Camp. He currently holds a ‘C’ level coaching license from US Soccer.  Ben has also worked as a coach for the IL Olympic Development Program and has spent time coaching at the collegiate level.  He holds many other coaching certificate from United Soccer Coaches, including his Youth Director of Coaching Diploma.  In addition to his soccer experience, Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing degree from Butler University and has earned his  Secondary Education Teaching Certificate through a Master of Arts in Education program from Benedictine University.  Ben currently lives in Wheaton with his wife, Lisa and their four young daughters.  

KELLY WARNER

KELLY WARNER

Staff Coach

At six years old, Kelly began playing travel soccer with the Lombard Soccer Club. She was a four-year starter with Glenbard South’s Girls Varsity Soccer team. In her time at Glenbard South, Kelly was named to the all-conference team and the all-area team. She also became one of the top goal scorers in school history. Kelly went on to play at Western Illinois University, where she earned academic and athletic recognition. While playing at Western Illinois University for four years, she was named to the Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence all four years. She also received Academic All-Conference Honors every year. Kelly also finished ranked sixth in school history for career points. Kelly holds a US Soccer National ‘D’ Level Coaching License. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education.  Kelly recently finished a Master’s Degree in Education and currently holds a ‘D’ level license from US Soccer.  Kelly currently lives in Carol Stream and is a Kindergarten teacher in Woodridge.

Hailey Hawkins

Hailey Hawkins

Staff Coach

Hailey first joined Synergy as a player in 2009 and played with the club for five years. She attended Glenbard South High School and was a four-year starter on the Girls Varsity Soccer team. During this time the team was Conference Champions and Regional Champions four years in a row, and Hailey was named to the all-conference team twice and all-conference academic team all four years. Hailey went on to play at the University of Illinois Springfield. Hailey won the Women’s Soccer team Academic Award twice and in her senior year the Capital Scholars Honors Program Student of the Year, and the Outstanding Psychology Student Award. After graduation Hailey moved to Cambodia to serve in the Peace Corps as an English Teacher. In Cambodia, she played in an all-men’s rec soccer league, breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes about women and girls in sports. After the Peace Corps Hailey earned her Masters degree in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College. Hailey
currently lives in Wheaton and works at Lions International Headquarters.

LISA HINCHEY

LISA HINCHEY

Director of Operations / Staff Coach

Lisa began her playing career at seven years old with the Lombard Soccer Club. She attended Glenbard South High School where she started for the Girls Varsity Soccer team for four years. She was a team captain and earned all-conference and all-area honors. In 1999 and 2000, Lisa’s team took 2nd and 3rd place in the National Got Milk 3v3 Soccer Championships. Lisa received a scholarship to play Division II soccer at the University of Missouri-Rolla. After one season as a starter with UMR, Lisa transferred to Concordia University of Chicago. During her time at Concordia, Lisa was voted as the team captain and still holds the school record for game winning goals. She was also recognized as an All-Northern Athletics Conference athlete. Lisa trained from 2001 – 2009 with the Glen Ellyn Raiders Soccer Club, and has trained for Synergy ever since. She currently holds a National ‘C’ level coaching license from US Soccer. In addition to her soccer experience, Lisa holds a Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education-Sociology degree from Concordia University of Chicago.  Lisa currently lives in Wheaton with her husband Ben and two young daughters. 

RAF ZORRILLA

RAF ZORRILLA

Staff Coach

Raf grew up playing soccer locally and has enjoyed great experiences with the game including representing the US Soccer Federation as an ambassador with the US Men’s National Team as they traveled through France during World Cup 1998.  Raf began coaching with Synergy when the club was formed in 2009 and has primarily worked with some of our younger boys teams.  Raf currently holds a USSF ‘D’ license.  Raf lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife, and two college aged daughters.

Kellen Hinchey

Kellen Hinchey

Staff Coach / Youth Director

Kellen began playing for Synergy in 2009 where she played her entire youth career.  She went on represent Saint Mary’s College in soccer for four year, serving as team captain for 3 years.  She received a rookie of the year award in her first year and was academic all-conference in each of her four years there.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Saint Mary’s and a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.  During her time in college Kellen coached for the Junior Irish Soccer Club in South Bend, IN.  She now coaches for Synergy SC and is in charge of the rec league, youth clinics, and summer camps along with coaching a youth team.

KRISTEN WARNER

KRISTEN WARNER

Staff Coach

Kristen begin her club playing experience as a member of the Glen Ellyn Raiders which later became Synergy and was part of Synergy’s first graduating class in 2011. Beginning in 2004, Kristen earned a position on the Illinois ODP State Team and Region II Player Pool. Prior to graduating from Glenbard South in 2011, Kristen was the team’s top goal scorer helping to secure her a spot on Western Sun Conference All-Conference team. Kristen went on to represent Valparaiso Univeristy for four years, qualifying for the NCAA tournament in her Senior year.  She was repeatedly named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team.  She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Valparaiso, and a Master’s Degree in Education from National Louis University.

PHIL DURET

PHIL DURET

Staff Coach

Phil’s youth soccer career began in the Chicagoland area and continued in Florida with St. Pete Surf Soccer Club. Phil was selected to the Florida State Olympic Development Team in 2000 and 2001. During his high school years, he received much recognition, including All-Area and All-State selections, as well as being named MVP for 3 years. In 2004, he was named runner-up for Athlete of the Year. Phil continued playing soccer in college for Western Illinois University from 2004-2008 while completing a degree in Communications. The Western Illinois’ men’s soccer team was crowned conference champs for three years in a row, and Phil was honored as the Defensive MVP at multiple tournaments and was named to the All-Conference Second Team. Phil has earned his ‘D’ License. Prior to joining the Synergy training staff, Phil was the Junior Varsity head coach and the Varsity assistant coach at Macomb High School.  Phil currently lives in Carol Stream with his dog Mowgli.