Latifi begins his second season as a member of the Gannon women’s soccer coaching staff in 2017. He rejoined the University’s soccer program last year after a three-year hiatus. An assistant coach for the men’s soccer program in 2012, he returned to Gannon for his first season as a women’s soccer assistant coach in 2016.
Well-known in the local soccer community, Latifi spent the previous three seasons as the head girls’ soccer coach of state power Villa Maria (Pa.) Academy, compiling a 53-9-5 record. He led the Victors to back-to-back Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AA championship appearances. After a 1-0 loss to District 1 power Villa Joseph Marie in the 2014 state finals, the Victors got revenge with a 1-0 victory over Villa Joseph Marie during the 2015 state championship rematch.
Latifi’s name is quite familiar to the Gannon faithful, having completed his stellar four-year collegiate career in 2010. He left a large mark on the Gannon record books, ranking sixth all-time in career goals (44), ninth in career points (102) and fifth in career starts (64) upon graduation. He also finished his career as Gannon’s leader in game-winning goals since the statistics started to be tracked in 2002. His 18 game-winners are six better than second place.
His senior year included numerous awards after finishing as the conference’s statistical champion in goals (15) and points (35). His campaign led to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Player of the Year and Daktronics Atlantic Region Player of the Year awards. Latifi also earned all-america and all-region accolades from both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Daktronics as a senior. The Cathedral Prep graduate was named Gannon’s Co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year at the Golden Knights’ annual student-athlete banquet.
A four-time All-PSAC selection, Latifi also garnered a pair of all-region selections as a sophomore. The forward was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Freshman of the Year after recording eight goals and 18 points during his first collegiate season.
Away from Gannon, Latifi spent four years playing with the Erie Admirals of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and served as a coach with the U12/U13 Erie Admirals Girls Soccer Club.
