Burns ready to lead Eagles girls soccer team

Soccer has been a part of Wesley Burns‘ life for a long time.

The Geneva resident played in high school and has coached at various levels.

The next one is Geneva High School’s varsity girls team.

Burns takes over for James Restad, who guided the Eagles to a 8-8-2 overall, 4-0-1 Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division 2025 season. Restad was also selected the Ashtabula County Girls Soccer Coach of the Year, as voted on by the county coaches.

“The girls I had coached, most since 8 years old and some since 4 years old, became freshmen in 2025,” Burns said. “I was able to sit, relax and watch coach James and coach Brent [Carrick] lead these girls to a great season at Geneva.

“Shortly before this summer, I spoke with James and Brent and they suggested I apply for the position as head coach. I talked it over with some of the parents and peers who coach other area school teams and they said it was probably a good fit.”

Burns attended Evansville Central High School in Evansville, Indiana, where he wrestled and played soccer.

“I was a captain and was a Kiwanis leadership award winner for the varsity soccer team,” he said. “While in high school, I also played club soccer for Sports Quarters in Evansville. I graduated in 1995.”

Burns then went to the University of Southern Indiana.

“I played club soccer and rugby,” he said. “I graduated with a degree in English.”

Burns said while in Indiana, he coached recreational soccer and was a licensed referee.

“I moved to Ohio in 2009 and began coaching rec league soccer at Geneva in 2014,” he said. “In 2018, I began coaching girls travel soccer in Geneva and I continued with that team until 2024.”

Burns talked about the Eagles prospects for the upcoming season.

“They are a very young team, heavily filled with freshmen and sophomores,” he said. “I knew that coming into the season.

“I wasn’t as familiar with the six seniors, but after having a few meetings with them and watching them at some open fields, I am really excited by their leadership and work ethic and they seem to be focused kids.”

Senior midfielders Alexis Ross and Jayla Reigert and sophomores Gia Palmisano, a forward, and Kenley Sheppard, defender, are among the key players this season.

“From what I have seen, we will lack on size and maybe some experience, but I have been really surprised with their desire to work hard,” Burns said.

He wants to create a short passing and possession game.

“We will press everyone,” Burns said. “We may struggle for a stretch of games, but I’m confident they will figure it out. One thing I want to focus on with all of these kids is gratitude. Each of them is so fortunate to have the physical ability, the family support and the work ethic to play sports in high school.”

Burns said if the Eagles can gain an identity as a control the field, high pressure squad, that will be a successful season.

“I’d love to be the team that when an AD asks their coach if they want to add us on their schedule, they either value it as a quality match or they fear it because the girls are just monsters,” he said. “I think, I’d like to start with a winning season, or get a playoff win this season. And then build on that success each year after.

“They really are a very talented group with high expectations and a desire to win. Their drive entering summer sessions is way more than I expected. The Geneva job is odd because really, they should be a strong team in the area for years to come and if they don’t reach the goals set for them, it’s most likely a coaching issue.”

Burns is excited to be part of the team and the Chagrin Valley Conference girls soccer family in general.

“I think girls soccer in the area is in a great place and I’m not just talking about Geneva,” he said. “There are several schools in the area that have really strong players and top notch coaching. In Geneva’s case, I attribute that to a strong Geneva youth soccer program and a great opportunity for club and academy at SPIRE.

“James and Brent had a huge impact on girls soccer and several of the girls playing now look up to the girls that played here recently and came back to help with training over the years. I hope that the girls on this current team and I are able to help this program continue to grow.”