Soccer Legend Kristine Lilly Visits with Regis Pride Student-Athletes

Photo Album - Evening with Kristine Lilly

WESTON, Mass. – Kristine Lilly, the legendary soccer player who holds the record for most international appearances with 354 caps during her 23-year career with the United States Women's National Soccer Team, spoke to Regis College student-athletes within women's soccer, men's soccer, field hockey, women's tennis, and men's and women's cross country Wednesday night, Aug. 31, on campus.

Regis women's soccer head coach Alex Macpherson secured Lilly's visit as a way to help wrap up the preseason for the fall teams before competition begins in September. Lilly answered questions from student-athletes and staff members in attendance, talking about her experiences as a collegiate student-athlete at the University of North Carolina as well as her time competing on the international level in five World Cups and three Olympic Games.

"Kristine shared an important and valuable message to our fall teams last night," said Regis College Dean of Athletics Pam Roecker, who led the question and answer session. "It was an amazing opportunity to hear from one of the all-time greats on several topics, including the best ways for our student-athletes to put themselves in a position to succeed and the importance of strong team culture and leadership. Our student-athletes were locked in, and her generosity in sharing her Olympic medals with everyone present was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thank you Kristine for the impact you have had on Regis Athletics!"

Lilly provided thoughtful answers to questions on various subjects, including handling adversity, dealing with teammates and coaches, and recalling events at international events such as the Olympic Games, for one full hour before taking time for photos with each team. She graciously gave everyone the opportunity to hold the gold medals she won at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics as well as the silver medal she received at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

An inductee into both the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and United States Soccer Hall of Fame, Lilly is third all-time in United States history with 130 career goals and the all-time leader in minutes played at 28,874 minutes. She appeared for the United States in four different decades and was both the youngest and oldest player ever to score for the U.S. Women's National Team.

Lilly is one of the authors of Powerhouse: 13 Teamwork Tactics that Build Excellence and Unrivaled Success, about the success of the U.S. Women's National Team and how their tactics can help other organizations be more successful. She has also operated the Kristine Lilly Soccer Academy since 1995 and is co-founder of TeamFirst Soccer Academy.

A four-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American in soccer, Lilly graduated from the University of North Carolina with her bachelor's degree in communications.

Regis College sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports within NCAA Division III as part of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.