Lance Key has completed 12 seasons as the head coach of the Trinity Tigers women’s soccer team.
Since taking the Tigers helm in 2004, Coach Key has amassed a record of 209-20-18, for a winning percentage of .883. A Trinity alumnus, Coach Key stood at No. 3 in winning percentage of all coaches in the NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, and second among active Division III coaches, entering the 2015 season. Coach Key’s teams have finished with undefeated, untied regular seasons for three campaigns, in 2004, 2009, and 2011.
He has guided the Trinity team to the NCAA Playoffs 11 times in his tenure. Included was a berth in the national championship game in 2013, played before fervent Tiger fans at San Antonio’s Toyota Field. Coach Key has led the team to the quarterfinals three times, and to the Sweet 16 on five occasions, including the 2014 season.
In 2015, the Tigers finished the campaign with a 19-1-2 record, while advancing to the NCAA second round. Trinity also won a 10th Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship, and seventh straight, on Coach Key's watch.
During the 2014 NCAA Playoffs, Trinity broke a Division III record, by marking its 75th consecutive home game without a loss. Trinity also secured its sixth straight SCAC Championship, and the ninth under Coach Key’s leadership. The Tigers completed the year with a 22-1-1 overall record. Trinity opened the Playoffs with two home games, shutting out the University of Texas-Tyler 3-0, and the University of Redlands 2-0. Thomas More College (KY) edged the Tigers 1-0 in a double-overtime Sweet 16 battle in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
All-America midfielder Emily Jorgens was elected the Capital One Academic All-American of the Year for the second consecutive time. Jorgens and teammate Kelsey Falcone were honored as National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Americans, and received the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship award. Falcone joined Jorgens as a Capital One Academic All-American.
The 2013 season was the best in Tiger women’s soccer history, as Trinity advanced to the NCAA Championship game. Trinity opened the event with a 2-1 semifinals victory over Middlebury College (VT). William Smith College (NY) emerged as the national champion, with a 2-0 win over Trinity in the finals. The Tigers completed the year with a 25-1-2 record, setting a school mark for victories in a season. Jorgens earned a number of high honors, in addition to Capital One Academic All-American of the Year. She received the NCAA Elite 89 Award (highest grade point average at the national tournament), and selection to the NSCAA All-America First Team. Falcone also received All-America accolades.
The Tigers finished the 2012 season with a 15-1-3 record, and a fourth consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament. Trinity advanced to the second round, and Jorgens was honored as an All-American.
The 2011 Tiger squad registered its third undefeated, untied regular-season schedule with a 20-0-0 record. All perfect regular season have occurred during Coach Key’s watch. Trinity advanced to the NCAA third round, beating national champion Hardin-Simmons University (TX) along the way. All-American Abby Loar ’12 was nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Loar was also the recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Trinity’s 2010 unit had an excellent 18-2-0 record and advanced to the NCAA second round. In 2009, Trinity recorded its second unblemished regular season, going 16-0-0. The Tigers also played in the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time under Coach Key’s leadership.
The Tigers wrapped up the 2008 season with a 12-5-1 record and just missed a berth in the Playoffs. In 2007, Trinity sported a record of 13-3-2 and qualified for the NCAA first round.
Trinity produced a 16-1-2 season in 2006, and made it to the NCAA second round. The 2005 campaign marked the first time Coach Key’s Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals. Messiah College (PA), which went on to win its first NCAA Championships, edged Trinity (13-3-4) in a penalty shootout.
Coach Key’s first season at the helm, 2004, was also the first undefeated and untied regular-season effort (16-0-0). Trinity received an NCAA first-round bye and was eliminated in the second round.
For his efforts, Coach Key has been honored as SCAC Coach of the Year seven times in his career, including 2014. He also was named the CaptainU Division III Women’s National Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2013. CaptainU is a youth and college sports network which bridges sports and technology by connecting student-athletes. Coach Key has been selected twice as the NSCAA West Region Coach of the Year.
Twelve Tiger players have earned 18 NSCAA All-America honors under Coach Key’s leadership. Eleven Trinity players have achieved NSCAA Scholar-All-America honors. Seven student-athletes have become national Academic All-Americans on nine occasions.
Coach Key was a three-time All-American at Trinity from 1996-1999. He was named the SCAC Men’s Player of the Year in 1999. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Trinity in 2000.
After his collegiate career, Coach Key became the only Division III player selected in the 2000 Major League Soccer draft. He was a standout for the Colorado Rapids, starting 34 games over a two-year span.
As a testament to his playing career, Coach Key was inducted into the ninth Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame Class on October 3, 2015. The ceremony was held at halftime of the Tigers football game with Hardin-Simmons University.
He had been director of girls training for the Classics Elite Soccer Club, and holds an Advanced National Diploma from the NSCAA.
Coach Key and his wife, Natalie, are the parents of two young daughters, Ava and Ela.
