Filly Afenegus has been part of Columbia River High School soccer for more than 20 years, contributing to both the boys and girls programs. Currently in his 15th year as head girls coach, he has helped guide the Rapids to four state championships, 12 league titles, and seven district titles. His leadership emphasizes sustained excellence, player development, and a team culture built on commitment, accountability, and pride in representing Columbia River.

Filly also spent 15 years coaching with the Columbia River boys program, helping the team capture its first state championship before stepping down. His contributions to both programs reflect a commitment to building a lasting soccer legacy at River.

A USSF National B License holder, Filly’s coaching background includes experience at Clark College and Western Washington University. He also played collegiately at Western Washington, where he earned All League honors twice and ranks among the program’s top five players in career appearances.

At the heart of Filly’s coaching philosophy is a belief that success extends beyond results. He strives to create an environment where players are challenged, supported, and encouraged to take ownership of their growth. Through high standards and meaningful relationships, he aims to develop confident athletes, strong teammates, and leaders whose impact continues beyond the soccer field.

Ryan Callahan has been an integral part of the Columbia River girls soccer program since joining the coaching staff in 2013, serving as a trusted assistant to Head Coach Filly. Currently, Ryan serves as a varsity assistant coach and the program’s goalkeeper coach. Throughout his tenure, he has helped develop two First Team All-League goalkeepers, three goalkeepers who have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, and one League Defensive MVP. As a member of the coaching staff, Ryan has been part of 11 league championships, six district championships, and three state championships.

A former goalkeeper himself, Ryan was a four-year letter winner at Ridgefield High School, where the Spudders advanced to two state championship games. During his senior season in 2005, he earned First Team All-League and First Team All-State honors.

Ryan is a proud Washington State University Cougar, earning his undergraduate degree in Sociology from WSU. After spending a year working for the Miami Dolphins in the NFL, he returned home to Southwest Washington, where he continued his work in education and coaching. He later earned his Master’s in Teaching from Concordia University Portland. Ryan currently teaches AVID and mathematics at Gaiser Middle School, where he is dedicated to helping students grow both academically and personally.

Outside of soccer and the classroom, Ryan enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife, Allie, their two sons, Jameson and Miles, and their two dogs, Rivers and Gus. As a family, they love traveling to the Oregon Coast and camping at state parks, with Bandon being a particular favorite.

Mat Newman has been coaching soccer in Clark County since 2010 and currently serves as the head boys soccer coach and JV girls soccer coach at Columbia River High School, where he has coached the girls JV program since 2016. Matt has been part of an incredible six state championships, three with the girls program and three with the boys program. 

A four-year varsity soccer letterman at Ridgefield High School, Matt earned multiple First Team All-League honors in both soccer and football before competing in Division III football and tennis at Illinois College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education: Health Studies from Portland State University and his master’s degree in Education in School Counseling from City University of Seattle.

Matt’s passion for coaching stems from his father, who coached him in club soccer and during his final two years of high school. Outside of coaching, Matt is extremely family-oriented and loves watching, talking about, and playing soccer with his family. The Newman family is a familiar face at Columbia River soccer games, where they continue to support the River soccer community.

Hannah Hatfield is a Columbia River High School graduate and former Rapids soccer player who returned to join the coaching staff in 2015. Her connection to the program brings a deep sense of pride and an understanding of what it means to represent River, allowing her to help carry its traditions forward while shaping the experience of the next generation.

Following her time at Columbia River, Hannah played collegiately at Clark College and Warner Pacific University, where she served as team captain. Her experience as a college athlete and leader helped shape her approach to coaching, emphasizing dedication, accountability, and the importance of supporting those around her. She has also coached club soccer with Pacific FC, further developing her experience working with young athletes.

Hannah’s ability to connect with players is one of her greatest strengths. She brings encouragement, care, and a competitive drive that help athletes build confidence while challenging them to grow. She understands the demands players face and works to create an environment where they feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute.

Since returning to River, Hannah’s dedication and leadership have helped the program earn league, district, and state honors. As both a former player and coach, she continues to strengthen the culture and relationships that make Columbia River soccer special, leaving a lasting impact on the players she coaches.

Eddie Perez, affectionately known as “Pop Pop” by the players, has been around the game of soccer for most of his life. His coaching experience includes working with Pacific FC at the club level and serving as head coach at Hudson’s Bay High School. For the past six years, Eddie has been a valued assistant coach with the Columbia River girls soccer program.

Eddie brings positivity, encouragement, and a supportive presence to the field every day. He understands that coaching is about more than developing soccer skills. It is also about building confidence, creating connections, and helping players feel valued. His approachable personality allows players to feel comfortable asking questions, learning from mistakes, and continuing to grow.

Whether he is offering guidance during training, encouraging a player on the sideline, or sharing a laugh with the team, Eddie helps create an environment where players feel supported and motivated. His experience and love for the game make him a valuable member of the coaching staff, but it is the care he shows for the players that makes his impact so meaningful.

Brendan Nuzum has been passionate about soccer his entire life, playing locally with Pacific FC and representing both Skyview and Camas High Schools. Those experiences helped shape his love for the game and his appreciation for the relationships, commitment, and personal growth that come through being part of a team.

Brendan has coached and volunteered with the Columbia River girls soccer program since 2021. He is proud to contribute to a coaching staff and culture centered on building a lasting legacy, where success includes both performance on the field and the positive impact players have on one another.

With more than five years of experience as a goalkeeper and technical skills trainer, Brendan is dedicated to helping players reach their potential. His approach emphasizes building strong fundamentals while developing the confidence to apply those skills under pressure. Whether working with goalkeepers or field players, he encourages athletes to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and take ownership of their development.

Positivity, effort, and perseverance are at the heart of Brendan’s coaching philosophy. He strives to create an environment where players feel supported and challenged, recognizing that progress takes patience and consistent work. Through his coaching, Brendan aims to help athletes become more confident players, dependable teammates, and resilient individuals both on and off the field.

Reilly was a goalkeeper for the Columbia River boys soccer program from 2014 to 2018, earning multiple All League honors and helping the program capture its first state championship in 2018.

After graduating, he continued his soccer career at College of the Siskiyous, where he earned Second Team All Conference honors as a freshman. Following one year of college soccer, Reilly stepped away from playing and attended Washington State University. He later earned his associate degree at Clark College and is continuing his education with the goal of becoming a teacher.

Reilly returned to Columbia River as a volunteer coach for both the boys and girls programs in 2021. In 2023, he was hired as an assistant coach for the boys team and has been part of two more state championship teams, in 2023 and 2025.

He continues to volunteer with the girls program, supporting the JV team and working with the goalkeepers. His experience as a River player and college goalkeeper allows him to share his knowledge of the game while giving back to the program that helped shape him.

Reggie Griffith brings a strong connection to Columbia River and experience as both a player and coach. During her playing career at River, she earned First Team All League honors twice, Second Team All League recognition, and All Region honors. A team captain during her junior and senior years, Reggie helped lead the Rapids to a WIAA 2A state championship and finished among the program’s top five career goal scorers.

Reggie continued her soccer career as a midfielder at Clark College and Warner Pacific University, earning a Women’s Soccer All Star selection during her time at Clark. Her collegiate experience deepened her understanding of the game and the commitment, resilience, and teamwork required to compete at the next level.

Reggie began coaching with a 2014 boys team at Columbia Premier during the 2022 to 2023 season. Since then, she has continued developing her coaching experience by working alongside her former coaches and providing private training to help players build their skills and confidence.

Now in her second year as an assistant coach with the Columbia River girls soccer program, Reggie has returned to the place where an important part of her own soccer journey began. Her perspective as a former Rapids player allows her to connect with athletes and understand the challenges and opportunities they experience. She brings a passion for player development and a commitment to helping the next generation grow as players, teammates, and leaders while contributing to River’s proud soccer tradition.

Allison Countryman is a Columbia River Girls Soccer alumna who returns to the program as an assistant coach. A goalkeeper during her playing career at River, Allison served as a team captain her senior year, earned All League honors, and was named the team’s Defensive MVP. She also helped the Rapids win a state championship in 2019.

After graduating from Columbia River, Allison earned her degree from Grand Canyon University. She has since returned to River to share her experience and give back to the program as a coach. Having been part of the program as both a player and a leader, she brings a valuable perspective to the players she now supports.