Montana's largest youth soccer club since 1982

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Club Executive Director
Natalie Hiller-Claridge
Priorities and balance are key for Natalie, she is a mother and wife who uses soccer as a vehicle to inspire individuals to bring the best out of themselves on and off the field. She will always ask those she works with to find balance, time for those they love, and to crave "the win" on and off the field.
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Natalie is a Missoula native, she attended Big Sky High School where her team won 2 state titles in 1994 and 1995. She was the first Missoula player to play for the University of Montana from 1996-2000. While playing, the Griz won 3 Big Sky Conference Championships and made two appearances in the NCAA National Tournament, where they won the 1st round match in 2000. She was an Assistant Coach (Goalkeepers) under Betsy Duerksen following her playing career from 2001-2004. She stepped away from soccer to begin a new career as a Recreation Specialist at the University of Montana Campus Recreation where she oversaw Intramural Sports and Summer Youth Camps for 18 years. Almost six years ago she was asked to train a young rising goalkeeper. Little did she know this goalkeeper would bring the love for soccer back into Natalie's life. She became the Head Coach for Hellgate High School in 2020 where she led the program to the state semi-final for the first time in school history in 2020, and again in 2021.
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While attending and working at the University of Montana Natalie earned 2 bachelor degrees in Recreation Management and Psychology and she has a Masters in Public Administration. She has 20 years of leadership and administration experience within the field of sports and recreation and a lifetime of experience in our community. Her lifetime of community experience has garnered her a reputation of outstanding public relations necessary to oversee a non-profit organization in our community. She is excited to use her foundational leadership abilities that include public relations, communication, organizational skills, programming experience, and fundraising efforts to build on the outstanding reputation Strikers has set over its 40 year history.
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"I am beyond excited and honored to fill the role of Executive Director for the Missoula Strikers. As an individual who is a born and raised Missoulian, who has played and coached soccer at every level in our beautiful community, you can imagine how thrilling it is for me to have my professional career land me in such a role. To me, it is as if my journey was set in this trajectory, although the path was long, it is clear this is where I need to be."

Recreational Director
Joseph Larson
Joe has been a dedicated youth coach in Missoula for many years and currently serves as the club’s Director of Recreation Programs. In addition to overseeing the rec soccer pathway, he is a staff coach in the Competitive program and supports college placement for Strikers players pursuing opportunities at the next level. Joe holds a U.S. Soccer National “D” License and has contributed to the club in several leadership roles, including Academy Director and Strikers Board Member.
Beyond the field, Joe has been married to his wife, Maureen, for 30 years. Together they’ve raised three wonderful children — all former Strikers players.

Director of Coaching
Ross McMonies
Ross McMonies is a highly experienced soccer coach, educator, and leader with more than 15 years of service to the Missoula soccer community and a deep commitment to player development rooted in both technical excellence and emotional well-being.
Ross holds top-level coaching qualifications from both Europe and the United States, including UEFA B, USSF A, USSF B, and the USC Premier National Diploma. He is also a USSF Coaching Instructor, working to educate and mentor other coaches, and what separates Ross the most is his NeuroEmotional Coach Training, reflecting his belief that high performance and emotional safety are not mutually exclusive - they are inseparable.
Before coaching, Ross competed at the semi-professional level, giving him firsthand experience of the demands, pressures, and standards required to perform at higher levels of the game. That perspective continues to inform his coaching approach today.
Ross served as the Executive Director of Missoula Strikers for eight years, guiding the club through growth, cultural development, and long-term player pathways to college programs. In parallel, he volunteered with the University of Montana Griz Soccer program for ten years, supporting the women’s program and remaining closely connected to the players as they graduated.
At the core of Ross’s philosophy is a belief that development thrives in environments where players feel seen, safe, and challenged. He emphasizes accountability without fear, intensity without intimidation, and growth without shortcuts. His work prioritizes long-term athlete development, resilience, and identity - not just results on the scoreboard.
Ross is known for building cultures that value connection, integrity, and purposeful work. Whether coaching players or mentoring fellow coaches, his mission remains consistent: to develop kind, compassionate, and mindful young adults while also blending the competitive spirit and desire that high performing environments demand.

College Recruitment Coordinator
Jay Anderson
Jay is a Strikers alumni, playing with the club through his youth, and for the past 15 years he has been with the club coaching in some capacity. He holds a National "C" coaching license and is the current 05'-06' Girls T1 coach. He also serves as the club's College Recruiting Coordinator. Before his current roles, he has held various positions within the club, including Goalkeeper Director, Academy Director, and Strikers board member.
Outside of Strikers, Jay also coaches the varsity boys team at Hellgate High School, where he has helped his team with 8 state championships. Next fall will mark his 25th year at Hellgate. He absolutely loves coaching the boys at Hellgate in the fall and the Strikers girls in the spring. When not coaching, Jay keeps busy with his job as a sixth grade teacher at Washington Middle School and with his family. He has been very blessed to have a wonderful wife, Estella, who supports his coaching, and enjoys the kids as much as he does. Together, they have a son and a daughter who both play soccer and played for the club.

Team Communications Coordinator
Nicole Mulcahy
Nicole handles all things parent-manager, including TeamSnap.
Interested in coaching?
We are always looking for outstanding coaches, either for recreational or competitive soccer. Please reach out to our Director of Coaching, Ross, for more information.
406-396-9633




