One of the all-time great players to don an Owl women's soccer uniform, Denise Lyons has seen her success continue on the sidelines. Set to begin her 18th season at the helm of one of the top programs in New England, Lyons has led Keene State to 17 post-season tournament berths during her tenure, including four NCAA tournament berths and a pair of ECAC New England championships.
Coach Lyons, a former All-America player for the Owls, took over the program in 1992. Leading KSC to an NCAA berth and ECAC championship in Division II, Lyons has maintained the team's high level of play in Division III. Since joining the Little East in 1997, Keene State has made nine trips to the ECAC tournament and received three berths in the NCAA championships (1998, 2002, and 2004). Her 2002 squad set a program record for wins (20) and advanced to the regional finals. A four-time LEC Coach of the Year award recipient, Lyons carries an impressive 251-99-20 (.705 pct.) career mark into the 2009 season. She is presently ranked nationally among the top active Division III coaches in winning percentage and victories.
A native of Newcastle West, County Limerick, Ireland, Lyons played for the Irish National Team before embarking on her career at Keene State. A fiery competitor, Lyons completed her four-year career (1986-89) with 26 goals and 31 assists. She was named to four All-New England teams and earned All-America honors while leading her team to four postseason tournaments, including two trips to the NCAA Division II nationals. Inducted into the KSC Alumni/Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, Lyons was recently named the Senior Women's Administrator at the school.
A former four-year member of the Owls women's soccer team, Sarah Testo begins her eighth year as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Keene State and seventh season as assistant soccer coach. As the Strength and Conditioning Coach, she is responsible for developing and implementing in- and off-season strength and conditioning plans for all 18 KSC varsity teams. She has been pleased with the response to her program and her success in maintaining the year-round health of KSC athletes.
After earning her degree in health science (‘00) from Keene State, the Newburyport, Mass., native went on to receive her degree in applied exercise science/strength and conditioning from Springfield College in 2002.
Beginning her fourth season as assistant coach, Stephanie Keating brings a wealth of soccer experience to the Keene State women's soccer program. She played at several colleges, including the University of Tampa (1999-00), the University of Florida (2000-01), and Louisiana State University (2001-03). After securing a spot on the Western Massachusetts Lady Pioneers semi-pro team, Keating decided to make New England her permanent home.
A native of Vero Beach, Fla., Keating spent two years at the helm of the Vermont Academy girls' varsity soccer squad. While she was at LSU, she also coached the girls' team at University High School (2001-02) in Baton Rouge while earning All-Southeastern Conference all-star honors and first-team All-Louisiana accolades as a midfielder/forward.
At Keene State, Keating is involved with all aspects of the program, including scouting and recruiting.
Justin Parrot returned to Keene State as an assistant women's soccer coach this fall. After playing two seasons for the Owls (1994-95), Parrott spent the eight years coaching the highly successful varsity girls' soccer team at Fall Mountain Regional High School.
During his tenure, the Wildcats compiled a 92-42-12 record and made several trips to the Class I tournament, including 2006 when the team advanced to the semifinal round. He also had the opportunity to coach future Owls Sarah Miller and Molly Brunelle and recent grad Kristy Zurmuhlen, who earned a scholarship to play at Stanford. Parrott is following the same path he took as a player. A four-year standout at Fall Mountain, he was the first Wildcat to score 20 goals in a season and at one time held the record (49) for career goals. Earning All-State honors as a senior he led FMRHS to the State (Class M) finals.
Named Class I coach of the year in 2002 and 2004, Parrott, who also will have recruiting responsibilities with the Owls, is now looking forward to working with college level players. Currently living in North Charlestown with his wife Rachel and daughters Isabelle and Mya, Justin is the director of the Walpole Village School.