Maria "Mila" Emilia was born with a love for the soccer, the national sport of her native land, Brazil.  Soccer was the domain of the boys and men when she grew up.  The girls loved it too, but they were designated spectators and supporters of the teams and the game, not participants.  Mila didn't see it that way, and from very early was out on the turf kicking the ball and playing hard with her brothers, cousins, and all the kids in the neighborhood.  Mila played in High School for the Goiania Esporte Club and in college for the Universidade Catolica De Goias.

When Mila came to the United States to pursue a career in a medical field she was approached by a local school to help coach their struggling soccer team.  The Newark New Jersey Youth Soccer Association benefitted greatly from her expertise in soccer, as did the Good Shepherd Portuguese Community. 

She relocated to a new opportunity in the midwest, and again it didn't take long for her reputation as a knowledgable coach and strong advocate of the kids on her teams to spread.  Soon her time outside of work was filled with coaching children from age 3 through high school.  Mila decided to pursue coaching as more than a hobby and embarked on several coaching education programs, including Principles of Coaching, and Sports Management, acquiring the licensing required to coach high school ball in her region. Coach Mila's teams moved up in the standings and have regularly placed as district champions in middle school and high school regionals. Mila recently she assumed the Women's Varsity Head Coach position for Austin High.

In her free time Mila continues to play soccer in several adult leagues, helping her team win the section B championship last in 2005.  She has many interests outside of soccer, including volunteer work, especially with children and the elderly.  She loves to garden, and read, and enjoys the four seasons of the northern climates, especially the beauty of the snow, but still prefers soccer to those slippery winter sports of skiing or skating.