Lucy Gillett played at Hofstra and Springfield. (Photo courtesy of LIU)

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — Lucy Gillett has been promoted to head coach of the Long Island University women’s team.

Gillett, who played goalkeeper professionally with Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace in England, is a graduate of South Side High School in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Now, after a season as an assistant coach with the LIU women’s soccer team, she is ascending to the head role with the Sharks.

She had been interim head coach.

“I’ve been able to experience a lot playing overseas in England,” said Gillett, who played in England from 2015 through 2020. “I’ve seen a lot of coaching styles, worked with a lot of very talented people. I’m excited to put that into play here and see what my experience from my playing career can do on the sideline now.”

Gillett served as an assistant coach at St. John’s for one season before joining the Sharks for the 2021-22 academic year.

“It’s nice to be home, nice to be back,” she said. “Five years away was nice, but Long Island is home. I’m back with the family, back on Long Island, reconnecting with a lot of people that I grew up with, and calling it home again.”

Gillett played a combined four seasons at Hofstra University and Springfield College. She compiled a 21-8 record with 12 shutouts and a 0.79 goals-against average during the final two seasons at Springfield, in 2013 and 2014, while qualifying for the NCAA Tournament both seasons.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Springfield College.

Gillett earned her coaching badges at Brighton’s academy during her playing days abroad.

 

FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:

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Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.