Meet the Coaches
Briana Carlson
Founder & Head Coach
Briana started coaching hockey at the age of 13, and it quickly turned into a passion. As a certified Level 4 USA Hockey coach, Briana has coached children and adults alike and loves to help individuals grow their skills, compete level, love of the game, and overall sportsmanship, anchored on a positive, respectful attitude.
Briana grew up playing boys hockey through Bantams in Ohio, and eventually coupled the boys hockey with girls travel hockey through the Ohio Flames. Briana made the Olympic Development Camp in Lake Placid, NY 4 different years, and loves the many experiences hockey has brought into her life. Briana played collegiately at Cornell University, where she captained the Big Red in her junior and senior seasons. After Cornell, Briana moved to Minnesota where she played on the MN Whitecaps for 10 years as a pioneer of women’s professional hockey. Briana also won six USA Hockey Senior 'A' National Championships with the Minnesota Blue J's women's team.
In addition to the many ongoing years of playing hockey, Briana has coached youth hockey in Ohio and Minnesota, Girls Advanced 15s, MN high school hockey, MN Made, the Little Wild Program, and various youth camps/programs. Briana loves coaching and seeing players develop both on and off the ice.
Briana also plays hockey’s “sister sport” bandy, and has been a member of the USA Women’s National Bandy team since 2013, representing the USA to-date in 4 World Championships and 2 additional international bandy tournaments. Some highlights have included representing the USA internationally and winning a Bronze medal in 2023. Briana has also captained the USA Women’s National Bandy team from 2022 to 2025.
Briana and her husband Charlie met playing hockey and now have 3 wonderful boys who keep them on their toes.
"Bri and I have played hockey together for 20+ years and have coached together for 10+ years. She's an excellent steward of hockey who inspires players to grow their game while also enjoying the many facets it brings. Bri also has a wealth of knowledge that challenges players both mentally and physically. Players are fortunate to be coached by Bri."
Brooke White-Lancette
Overspeed Skating Coach @ Breakaway Academy Former MN Whitecap & US National Team Player
"As Head Coach of the US Women's National Bandy Team, I know Bri Carlson as a player, a leader, and a consummate competitor. She is a Captain of the US National Team who leads on and off the ice, both by her outstanding play and also through her positive words and attitude. She is a superb mentor to our younger players and has all the attributes that combine to make a great coach."
Chris Middlebrook
USA Bandy Hall of Fame Inductee
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Sarah Schneider
Goalie Coach
Playing Career:
Sarah grew up playing boys' youth hockey in South St. Paul, MN and eventually became the only girl in South St. Paul's long hockey history to play on the boys' varsity team. She also played two years on the girls' varsity team at South St. Paul. Sarah was a two-time All-State selection and holds a MSHSL state record for shutouts in a single season (19). She played NCAA Division-I women's hockey at Princeton University for four years and was named to the All-Ivy League team. Sarah played several seasons with the Minnesota Whitecaps after college and also won six USA Hockey Senior 'A' National Championships with the Minnesota Blue J's women's team. She is a current member of the USA Women's National Bandy Team. Was named Best Goalkeeper at 2016 Women's Bandy World Championship. Sarah also plays in the USA Women's Ball Hockey program and won a gold medal in 2022 and silver in 2023 with the US Women's Masters Team at the World Championships.
Coaching Career:
Sarah has been coaching hockey for over two decades, mostly specializing as a goalie coach. She is currently serving as the JV head coach and a varsity assistant for the Woodbury High School girls' program. Sarah has worked for several other girls' high school programs prior to Woodbury: Princeton Day School (Princeton, NJ), South St. Paul High School, the Academy of Holy Angels, the Breck School, North/Tartan Girls' Hockey, and the Minnesota Revolution AAA program (U16 and U19). She was a member of the coaching staff on the 2005 and 2006 State Championship teams at South St. Paul. Sarah worked for seven seasons as goaltending director for the Northeast Metro Stars (North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale area) girls' youth hockey program. She worked for several seasons with the Minnesota High Performance program as a goalie coach and evaluator. Sarah has also coached MSHSL soccer and softball in recent seasons.
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Lilie Ramirez
Coach
Lilie played four seasons of high school hockey at South St. Paul where she registered 92 points with 28 goals and 64 assists in 95 games played, helping lead the Packers to a Section 4A Championship and fifth-place finish in the state tournament as a senior. She was named All-Conference, all-state and to the State All-Tournament Team. Lilie was named all-state and all-conference while scoring seven goals and assisting on 15 others for 22 points in 20 games as a junior. Her most productive season came as a sophomore in 2019-20 where she scored 35 points on 13 goals and 22 assists in 24 contests. Lilie collected All-Conference and Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman after putting up 32 points in 27 games with eight goals and 24 assists.
Lilie is a current member of the Minnesota Mavericks. Season highlights include the following:
2022-23: Played 36 games for the Mavericks in her first season... She recorded five assists for five points. First point as a Maverick was an assist against St. Thomas on Nov. 19.
2023-24: Lilie achieved the WCHA All-Academic Team while appearing in 38 games for the Mavericks as a sophomore. She posted 10 assists (fifth) for 10 points, recorded 20 shots on goal, and was third on team with 56 blocked shots. Lilie had one multi-point game, two assists vs. Bemidji State on Feb. 16. She also played in all three games at Minnesota in the WCHA quarterfinals (Mar. 1-3).
Personal: Lilie is planning on majoring in Business Marketing, and her hobbies include tennis, golf, shopping, cabins, and outdoor activity.
