A devoted player since age four, Karen Billingslea was recruited to play at Dartmouth College where she assisted the team in earning their first top 20 national ranking, winning an Ivy League Championship, and by captaining the team to their first ECAC tournament bid. Karen’s coaching experience began in college as she participated in local youth clinics and camps. After a hiatus to focus on her career and family, Karen began coaching again in 2009 and has since worked with several clubs in Northern Virginia, training female athletes ranging from U6 to U19. Karen is dedicated to developing young women of character and infuses this into her training methods. Karen is currently the Director of Girls’ Coaching at Villarreal Academy Virginia. She also leads the 2011 and 2010 age groups, assists with the U19s and is the lead coach on the yearly trip to Villarreal CF in Spain. Since August 2018, Karen has been working under the direction of the Villarreal CF director of methodology and participating in rigorous coach’s education in an effort to bring the Villarreal methodology to the players of Northern Virginia. She was also selected for an International Coaching Education course comprised of all female coaches from across the US. In the spring of 2023, Karen took her coaching to the adult level by joining the coaching staff for the USL-W team Virginia Marauders FC. Karen has her USSF National C license and a variety of special topics diplomas from United Soccer Coaches.