Kelly Lawrence, who owns 10 years of DI coaching experience, holds a UEFA B license from the Welsh Football Association, as well as seven years of National Team experience, joined the Boston University women's soccer staff as associate head coach in March, 2019.
During her third season with the Terriers, Lawrence helped guide BU 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 all three All-Patriot League Teams, highlighted with Jenna Oldham's Defensive Player of the Year award. Three Terriers also earned spots on the All-Patriot League Tournament Team.
In her second season in Boston, Lawrence assisted the Terriers to clinch the Patriot League North Division in a shortened spring season. Jenna Oldham doubled her career point total to earn All-Patriot League First Team honors, while Morgan Messner and McKenna Kennady additionally earned all-league honors.
During her first year, Lawrence aided Shannon Keefe and Anna Heilferty to earn spots on the All-Patriot League Second Team. Heilferty went on to be drafted 19th overall by the Washington Spirit in the 2021 NWSL draft.
Lawrence is a member of the Boston University Social Justice & Inclusion Committee, which was formed during the summer of 2020. She is an Athlete Ally Pro Ambassador as well as a coach advocate for the Terrier Student-Athlete Ally group.
Additionally, she graduated from the NCAA Women Coaches Academy 2.0 No. 3 class in June, 2019 and class No. 45 in June, 2018. Lawrence took part in the 2018-19 WeCOACH Mentor Program, serving as a mentee for a young up-and-coming coach, and was a recipient of the 2017-2018 NSCAA "30 Under 30" scholarship program.
Lawrence came to Boston after spending four years at Syracuse, including serving as the interim head coach for six months. While at Syracuse, she mentored current professional Erin Simon of Racing Louisville (NWSL); Courtney Brosnan of FAWSL West Ham United (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), rank fourth in goals-against average (0.42) and fifth in winning percentage (.857).
Lawrence served as the Girls Varsity Assistant Coach at The Pingry High School in Martinsville, New Jersey from 2012-13, leading the team to the state championship. She also won two WPSL national championships, one with Boston Breakers Reserves in 2010 and one with Orange County Waves in 2011.
Lawrence broke into the collegiate coaching ranks by serving as a fifth-year student assistant at Indiana University in 2010 after starring for four seasons on the back line with the Hoosiers. A four-year starter, Lawrence became the only player in program history to earn All-Big Ten honors all four years, and is also the only three-time All-Region honoree in program history. In addition, she was a three-time all-region honoree and was on the Mac Herman Watch List in 2008.
The Chigwell, Essex, 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.
Lawrence graduated with a degree in General Studies with a minor in Kinesiology & Coaching from Indiana in 2010. She went to receive her Master's in Coaching & Athletic Administration from Concordia University in 2019.
