Laura Williamson will enter her third season as the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s soccer team’s top assistant in 2011. She will work primarily with the team's forwards. Williamson was a two-sport star at Colby College in Waterville, Maine and assisted at Smith College in 2008 where she also earned her Master’s degree.
In 2009, Williamson assisted in the Ducks’ turnaround, helping to guide the squad to a 5-3 Empire 8 finish despite the team’s rough start. The second year assistant also had a hand in developing six all-conference selections last season, as Stevens earned its ninth-consecutive postseason appearance.
During her time at Smith, Williamson played in integral part in planning and executing daily practices as well as strategic and tactical game preparation. She also was responsible for scheduling and implementing all travel plans in addition to her recruiting and administrative responsibilities.
Williamson graduated from Colby as the all-time leader in goals and points and was a two-sport captain (women’s soccer, women’s basketball). A 2007 CoSIDA Academic All-American, the Manchester, Conn. native was an All-NESCAC performer her entire career (2003-2006).
She was named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year in 2003 and received the Marjorie D. Bither Award which is given each year at Colby to the senior female student-athlete who demonstrated outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement, and leadership skills throughout her four years at the prestigious institution.
"We are very pleased to welcome Coach Williamson into our program," Parker said. "She will quickly become a valuable asset with her understanding of the academic priority on our campus, as well as relating with our current and future student athletes. We are looking forward to the impact she will make this fall and the upcoming seasons on the Palisade."
Williamson holds the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Goalkeeper Diploma. She worked in the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program in 2009, and served as an Administrative Fellow in the Smith Sports Information Department in from 2007-2009.
Williamson graduated from Colby in May of 2007 with a B.A. in English. She earned her M.S. in Exercise and Sport Studies in May of 2009 from Smith.
