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 21st season at the helm of one of the top programs in New England, Lyons has led Keene State to 20 post-season tournament berths during her tenure, including four NCAA tournament berths and four ECAC New England titles, including the 2011 crown.  

Guiding the Owls to a 15-7-3 overall record and a 7-0 Little East mark last season, Lyons, the LEC coach of the year, was instrumental in leading KSC to the finals of both the LEC and ECAC New England tournaments.   During her 15-year tenure in the LEC, Lyons has led the Owls to two LEC titles (2002 and 2004) and 10 appearances in the conference finals.  Under Lyons, the Owls are second in all-time LEC regular-season wins (81-16-8) and tournament victories (18-10-1).

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 11 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 five-time LEC Coach of the Year award recipient, Lyons carries an impressive 299-118-28 (.703 pct.) career mark into the 2012 season. She is presently ranked nationally among the top active Division III coaches in winning percentage and victories. 

Numerous Owls players have thrived under Lyons' tutelage, including All-Americans Amy Zombeck (1998), Erin Lester (2002) and Jennifer Ortisi (2003).   Since joining the Little East in 1997, KSC has produced two players of the year, two offensive players of the year, two defensive players of the year and three rookies of the year.  In addition, 71 Owls have earned All-LEC honors.

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 also serves as the school’s Senior Women's Adminis­trator.

A former four-year member of the Owls women's soccer team, Sarah Testo begins her 11th year as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Keene State and ninth 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.

KSC head coach Denise Lyons lauded the work of Testo, getting her team ready for the rigors of LECplay this fall.   "It's the fittest I've ever had a team of returners come into preseason," said Lyons. I give a lot of credit to Sarah and her summer workout plan."

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 seventh 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.

Keating was inducted into the Saint Edward’s high school inaugural hall of fame where she played varsity soccer, golf, softball, and lacrosse. She was the leading soccer scorer for six straight years on the varsity soccer team, scoring 173 goals.  Keating was a five-time recipient of the school most valuable player award, a three-time first-team All-State player, and was recognized by the Press Journal as well as Channel 12 in addition to being named one of the Top 100 Athletes of the Century in Vero Beach.

At Keene State, Keating main task with the team is working with the young Owl goalies.