Kristin Boeker is now in her fourth season with the Keene State College women's soccer program in 2016.
Boeker comes to Keene State with impressive playing and coaching experience at the Division I level. For the past seven years, she served as assistant and later associate head coach at the University of Texas-San Antonio. She helped the start-up women’s soccer team not only become a force in the Southland Conference, but capture the 2010 league championship in just four seasons. Prior to her tenure at UTSA, Booker was an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University where she helped guide a highly-successful Panther squad to a 36-18-9 record in three seasons, including three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Tournament titles and NCAA berths.
“We’re very fortunate to add Kristin Boeker to our program,” said Lyons. “I’m sure with her extensive playing and coaching experience at the Division I level, she’ll bring fresh and different ideas to the team and be another pair of eyes on the field.”
“Someone new brings a different perspective, a different vision and a different way of doing things,” said Boeker. “I’m here to learn from Coach Lyons and whatever I can give back to her would be a bonus. She obviously established an extremely successful program and has a tremendous background in the sport. This is my opportunity to grow as a soccer coach and learn more about the game.”
Originally from Lake St. Louis, Mo., Boeker played at Wentzville Holt (Mo.) High and on the traditionally strong JB Marine Club soccer team before going on to have a stellar four year career at University of Missouri, lettering from 1997-2000. As a junior, she helped lead the Tigers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999.
Boeker was named an honorable mention Freshman All-American by Soccer Buzz and also earned a spot on the publication's Freshman All-Central Region team. She earned honorable mention All-Big 12 accolades and was the Tigers’ Offensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore, she was named second-team All-Big 12, earned a spot on the conference’s all-tournament team and once again was a member of Soccer Buzz’ All-Central Region team.
Boeker began coaching after graduation, serving an assistant coach for the Missouri Olympic Development Program and at Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo., in 2002. “I didn’t want to lose the passion and the love I had for the game. I still wanted to be around the sport still,” said Boeker about her desire to coach. “What better way to help and coach girls at the top level?”
Following three successful seasons at Eastern Illinois, Boeker and EIU Coach Steve Ballard headed down to Texas San Antonio to build the Roadrunner program. A member of the National Soccer Coaches Association, she has been involved with a multitude of well-known soccer camps at Eastern Illinois, Missouri, Notre Dame and Stanford.
Moving to the Keene, N.H. area with her two sons, Keenan and Devin, Boeker is excited about joining the Owl coaching staff. Despite working at the Division I level, Boeker says the KSC players have the same passion for the game. “They play hard, love the sport and they’re competitive,” she said. “They’re here for a reason to play collegiate soccer and get an education. “I’ve already been impressed with the players I’ve seen.”
