Kelly Lawrence - Women's Soccer Coach - University of Delaware Athletics

Kelly Lawrence

Title:
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Email:
BlueHensWoSocRecruiting@udel.edu

The University of Delaware has named Kelly Lawrence as the new women’s soccer head coach, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Community and Campus Recreation, Chrissi Rawak announced on November 14, 2022. Lawrence is in her second year as the program's head coach

“I am incredibly excited to welcome Kelly and her fiance Allison to the Blue Hen family,'' said Rawak. “Kelly has everything we were looking for, outstanding playing and coaching experience, a terrific recruiter and a student of the game. Most importantly her commitment and approach to developing people on and off the field aligned with who we are at Delaware and the experiences we strive for each and every day. Lawrence arrives in Newark after spending the 2022 season at Penn State. She helped guide the Nittany Lions to the BIG Ten Tournament Championship and made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

"I am grateful for the belief and confidence Director of Athletics, Community and Campus Recreation, Chrissi Rawak, and Associate AD, Brendan Fuller, have shown in selecting me for this tremendous opportunity,” said Lawrence. “The values and vision of the University of Delaware and the Delaware athletic department were a perfect match. Delaware has everything it takes to compete for championships, an exceptional academic reputation, a stunning campus, first-class facilities, and incredible intentional support from our athletic administration.

The Delaware women’s soccer program in 2024 earned their first trip to the CAA Tournament since the 2019 season. During the 2024 campaign, the Blue Hens started off conference play 4-0, while also winning five games in a row. It was the best stretch for the program since 2011. During the stretch, the Blue Hens had late game heroics from Maggie Groh and Brooke Vogel, as the two scored game winning goals to defeat Hofstra and Campbell.

In 2024, Kyla Burns became the first Blue Hen in program history to earn the conference goalkeeper of the year. Burns also earned first team All-Conference honors, along with Conny Viehmann, Carly Binn, Caitin St. Leger, Brooke Vogel and Olivia Bley all earned all-conference honors.

The Delaware defense allowed six goals in 10 CAA contests. They had seven shutouts in CAA play and eight throughout the season.

The Blue Hens women’s soccer program made big strides in their first year under Lawrence. They started off her coaching career in a big way, defeating Syracuse 1-0. It was the program’s first ever win over a power-five school. The Blue Hens picked up a victory over La Salle on the road for the first time since 1994, and tied the program record for goals in a game in its 9-1 win over Hampton.

The Blue Hens shutout opponents six times in 2023, including a shutout over the CAA Regular Season and Tournament Champions Towson. Their defense allowed the least amount of goals in the conference (13), leading to the second best goals against average in the conference of 0.72. Both those marks rank third all time in program history, and is the defensive season for the Blue Hens since 2009.

Under Lawrence, the Blue Hens goalkeepers put up one of the best seasons in program history. Their save percentage of .851 ranks third in program history and is the best mark since 2009. Individually, goalkeeper Kyla Burns also had one of the best seasons in net in program history. She ranks second all time in save percentage in a season at .911. Burns also led the country in save percentage as well. She became the first Blue Hen ever to lead the NCAA in any statistical category.

Prior to Penn State, Lawrence served as the Associate Head Coach at Boston University from 2019-22. While at Boston U, she helped coach the team to the 2021 Patriot League Spring North Division Champions and the 2021 Patriot League Regular Season Champions.

“I am excited to welcome Kelly to the Blue Hen family,” said Fuller. “Kelly’s enthusiasm, knowledge of the game, and commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes both on and off the field make her the perfect fit for our program. This is an exciting time for Delaware Women’s Soccer.”

Previous stops for Lawrence include serving as the Interim Head Coach/Assistant Coach at Syracuse University from 2015-19. As an assistant coach at Monmouth from 2013-14, she helped the team win the 2013 MAAC Tournament Championship and earn back-to-back MAAC Regular Season Championships in 2013 and 2014.

“I want to take a moment to thank, all the student-athletes that I have had the privilege to coach, Krissy Turner, for taking a chance on me early in my career, Nancy Feldman who has been a great mentor for me, and Erica Dambach, Ann Cook, Tim Wassell, and Kara Cook for providing me the opportunity to work with and for the best in the country,” Lawrence expressed.

“My wife, Allison, and I are thrilled to join the Delaware family and looking forward to building relationships with our student-athletes to help them excel in the classroom, on the field, and in life,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence competed for Indiana University from 2006-10. While in college she was named to the Mac Hermann Watch List (2008), NCAA Sweet Sixteen Finalist (2007), First Team All- B1G TEN (2007), B1G Ten All-Freshman Team (2006), All B1G Ten Freshmen Team, and Three-time NSCAA All-Region. She was the only player in Indiana History to win All-B1G Ten honors in all four years.

She played competitively for the Boston Breakers Reserves (2010) and the Orange County Waves Professional (2011) of the WPSL. Lawrence also played on the England National Team (U15-U23) and Team Great Britain (7 yrs).

What They’re Saying…

“Even though Kelly was with us as an assistant for only a short time, it was evident that it was only a matter of time before she ran her own program, as she exhibited the traits of a head coach. The steps she has taken during her career have positioned her well to succeed and she will be an active leader within the University of Delaware community.” - Drew Marrochello, Boston University, Director of Athletics

“I had the pleasure of working with Kelly at Boston University for 2+ years and have the utmost respect and admiration for her as a coaching professional. She has a tremendous acumen for the game. As importantly she prioritizes establishing relationships and supporting the growth and development of female collegiate student athletes. The University of Delaware is fortunate that Kelly will be the next leader of their women's soccer program.” -
Nancy Feldman, Boston University Former Head Women's Soccer Coach

"Kelly Lawrence is very deserving of this opportunity. She will be a terrific leader and serve as an excellent mentor for the young women in the program. Kelly knows the game and will develop a style that will bode well for success in the CAA.” - Krissy Turner, UPenn Head Women's Soccer Coach

“Kelly’s ability to motivate and inspire student-athletes, coupled with her experience and knowledge, make her an outstanding choice as the next head coach at the University of Delaware. She has proven to be an invaluable member of our coaching staff and we will miss her tremendously but are excited to watch her and support her in this next stage of her impressive career. - Erica Dambach, Penn State University Head Women's Soccer Coach

THE KELLY LAWRENCE FILE
Collegiate Coaching Career