University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Michael Riccio
Shannon Coley Promoted to Associate Head Coach
3/12/2026 2:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. - A critical piece of the Delaware women's soccer staff over the past three years, Shannon Coley, has been promoted to associate head coach, head coach Kelly Lawrence announced on Thursday.Â
"Programs move forward because of people. Not just talent on the field, but people who invest in the culture, the standards, and the daily work that most people never see, Lawrence said. "Shannon has had a tremendous impact on our goalkeeping department. We had the number one save percentage in the country in 2023, the CAA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024 and the best rookie goalkeeper in Conference USA in 2025. We're immensely proud of those accomplishments, but her impact goes far beyond statistics. She has influenced every responsibility under her with incredible care, and the way she supports and challenges our student-athletes and our staff has been just as meaningful."
"Since the day Shannon arrived here, she has poured herself into this program and into the vision for what we are building together. And the truth is, the best leaders in programs often don't do the work for recognition. They do it because they believe in the people around them and in what the program can become. But when someone consistently shows that level of commitment, impact, and leadership, it deserves to be recognized. Our program is stronger because of her work, her standards, and the way she shows up for UD Women's Soccer every single day."
Under Coley, Delaware's goalkeeping has been a key part of the program's recent success. In her three years, UD has a .832 save percentage, a 0.83 GAA, and 21 shutouts over 55 games. The Fightin' Blue Hens' goalkeepers have earned all-conference honors all three seasons. UD has also made the conference tournament in back-to-back seasons.Â
Notable highlights include Kyla Burns, who led the NCAA in save percentage at .911 in 2023, and was named third team all-conference. In 2024, Burns was named the program's first-ever conference goalkeeper of the year, and earned first-team all-conference honors.Â
Most recently, Sophia Hall was one of the best freshman goalkeepers in the country in 2025. She led all freshman goalkeepers in Conference USA in goals against average (0.834), save percentage (0.821), goals allowed (14), minutes played (1510:04), shutouts (six) and saves (64). Hall was named CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week three times and was named to the all-freshman team.Â
"I have been, and continue to be, grateful for the opportunities I've received in this program, as well as the investment in my personal growth from Kelly Lawrence, Becky Edwards, our team, our administration, and the staff that supports our program," Coley said. "I've grown a lot during my time here and I'm looking forward to continuing to serve our program to the best of my abilities to help us achieve our goals."
Coley arrived in Newark in 2023 after a stint at University of Rhode Island, where she spent one season with the Rams. She had previously spent three seasons (2019-21) as a member of the coaching staff at Western Michigan. Coley broke into the coaching ranks at Lawrence Tech (2017-18).Â
The Auburn Hills, Michigan native was a standout goalkeeper for Oakland University during her collegiate playing days. She was a four-year letter winner from 2008-12, and finished with 55 career games played, starting 48 in goal and finished fourth in program history with 25 wins and third with 15 shutouts. Her 4,578 minutes played in goal is second all-time in program history, and she is tied for the Oakland single-game saves record with 17. Coley was a Summit League All-Tournament Team selection in 2012, becoming the first player in league history to record back-to-back shutouts in the Summit League Championship
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"Programs move forward because of people. Not just talent on the field, but people who invest in the culture, the standards, and the daily work that most people never see, Lawrence said. "Shannon has had a tremendous impact on our goalkeeping department. We had the number one save percentage in the country in 2023, the CAA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024 and the best rookie goalkeeper in Conference USA in 2025. We're immensely proud of those accomplishments, but her impact goes far beyond statistics. She has influenced every responsibility under her with incredible care, and the way she supports and challenges our student-athletes and our staff has been just as meaningful."
"Since the day Shannon arrived here, she has poured herself into this program and into the vision for what we are building together. And the truth is, the best leaders in programs often don't do the work for recognition. They do it because they believe in the people around them and in what the program can become. But when someone consistently shows that level of commitment, impact, and leadership, it deserves to be recognized. Our program is stronger because of her work, her standards, and the way she shows up for UD Women's Soccer every single day."
Under Coley, Delaware's goalkeeping has been a key part of the program's recent success. In her three years, UD has a .832 save percentage, a 0.83 GAA, and 21 shutouts over 55 games. The Fightin' Blue Hens' goalkeepers have earned all-conference honors all three seasons. UD has also made the conference tournament in back-to-back seasons.Â
Notable highlights include Kyla Burns, who led the NCAA in save percentage at .911 in 2023, and was named third team all-conference. In 2024, Burns was named the program's first-ever conference goalkeeper of the year, and earned first-team all-conference honors.Â
Most recently, Sophia Hall was one of the best freshman goalkeepers in the country in 2025. She led all freshman goalkeepers in Conference USA in goals against average (0.834), save percentage (0.821), goals allowed (14), minutes played (1510:04), shutouts (six) and saves (64). Hall was named CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week three times and was named to the all-freshman team.Â
"I have been, and continue to be, grateful for the opportunities I've received in this program, as well as the investment in my personal growth from Kelly Lawrence, Becky Edwards, our team, our administration, and the staff that supports our program," Coley said. "I've grown a lot during my time here and I'm looking forward to continuing to serve our program to the best of my abilities to help us achieve our goals."
Coley arrived in Newark in 2023 after a stint at University of Rhode Island, where she spent one season with the Rams. She had previously spent three seasons (2019-21) as a member of the coaching staff at Western Michigan. Coley broke into the coaching ranks at Lawrence Tech (2017-18).Â
The Auburn Hills, Michigan native was a standout goalkeeper for Oakland University during her collegiate playing days. She was a four-year letter winner from 2008-12, and finished with 55 career games played, starting 48 in goal and finished fourth in program history with 25 wins and third with 15 shutouts. Her 4,578 minutes played in goal is second all-time in program history, and she is tied for the Oakland single-game saves record with 17. Coley was a Summit League All-Tournament Team selection in 2012, becoming the first player in league history to record back-to-back shutouts in the Summit League Championship
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's soccer, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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