Kelly Lawrence enters her first season with the Nittany Lions in 2022. Lawrence owns 10 years of DI coaching experience, holds a UEFA B license, a Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches and a USSF C license. She has seven years of playing experience at the National Team level.
Lawrence arrives from Boston University where she served as associate head coach for three seasons (2019-21) under head coach Nancy Feldman. During her third season (2021), Lawrence helped guide the Terriers to the Patriot League regular season championship, going 6-1-2 in league play and 11-6-3 overall to reach the Patriot League championship final. Eight Terriers were recognized across each of the three All-Patriot League Teams, highlighted by Jenna Oldham's Defensive Player of the Year award.
Lawrence was a member of the Boston University Social Justice & Inclusion Committee and coach advocate for the Terrier Student-Athlete Ally group. She is an Athlete Ally Pro Ambassador. Athlete Ally is an organization that believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports - regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Prior to her time at Boston University, Lawrence spent four years coaching in the ACC at Syracuse University, including serving as the interim head coach for five months. While at Syracuse, she mentored current professional Erin Simon of Racing Louisville (NWSL); Courtney Brosnan of FAWSL Everton Football Club (FAWSL); Republic of Ireland Senior National Team member Georgia Allen; and England U21 Youth National Team member and former New Zealand National team player Steph Skilton.
Prior to her tenure at Syracuse, Lawrence spent two seasons at Monmouth, where she assisted the Hawks to two straight MAAC regular season and conference championships. During the 2014 season, Lawrence assisted the back line which led the NCAA in shutout percentage (.762), ranked fourth in goals-against average (0.42) and fifth in winning percentage (.857).
She also won two WPSL national championships, one with the Boston Breakers Reserves in 2010 and one with the Orange County Waves in 2011.
Lawrence was a four-year starter on the back line for the Indiana Hoosiers. Lawrence became the only player in program history to earn All-Big Ten honors all four years. In addition, she was on the Mac Herman Watch List in 2008.
The Chigwell, England native enjoyed a stellar playing career as she spent seven years with the English Youth National Teams (U15-U23's) and Great Britain. She helped England to a runner-up finish in the 2007 Women's Under-19 UEFA Cup.
A two-time graduate of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (2.0 No. 3 class and class No. 45), Lawrence is currently participating in the WeCoach mentorship program as a silver mentor. She participated in the same program in 2018.
Lawrence is also currently a United Soccer 30 Under 30 coach mentor for young up-and-coming coaches and was a recipient herself of the 2017-2018 NSCAA "30 Under 30" scholarship program.
Lawrence resides in State College, Pennsylvania with her fiancé Allison Coomey, the current Associate Head Coach for Women's Hockey.
Collegiate Caching Career
- 2021 Fall - Patriot League Regular Season Champions
- 2021 Fall - Patriot League Conference Runners Up
- 2021 Spring - Patriot League North Division Champions
- 2021 Spring - Patriot League Conference Tournament Semi-Finalists
- 2020 Fall - Patriot League Season Cancelled
- 2015 - 2018 - Four Seasons – Atlantic Coast Conference
- 2014 MAAC Regular Season Champions
- 2014 MAAC Tournament Conference Champions
- 2013 MAAC Regular Season Champions
- 2013 MAAC Tournament Conference Champions
- 2013 NCAA First Round
Playing Experience
- 2011 Orange County Waves – WPSL National Champions
- 2010 Boston Breakers Reserves – WPSL National Champions
- 2006-2010 – B1G Ten Student- Athlete – Indiana University
- 2008 MAAC Herman Watch List
- 2007 NCAA Sweet Sixteen Finalists
- 2006 B1G Ten All – Freshman Team
- Only player in Indiana History to be an All-B1G Ten Honoree all four years
- England National Team U15 - U23
- 2007 European Championship Finalists
- 2007 World University Games – Thailand – Team Great Britain
- 2004 English Ladies First Division – Arsenal Football Club - Champions
Education
- Masters of Coaching & Athletic Administration – Concordia University Irvine 19’
- Bachelor of General studies, Minor in Kinesiology & Coaching – Indiana University 10’