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Eastern Illinois University Athletics

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Kiki Lara

  • Title
    Head Men's Soccer Coach
  • Email
    ralara@eiu.edu
  • Phone
    217-581-6442
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as men's head coach in March of 2015 (9th men's soccer head coach at EIU)
* Entering fifth season as head coach in 2019 season
* EIU career record entering 2019 (15-46-11 overall, 6-13-3 Summit)
* Made three straight Summit League Tournament Appearances (2016, 2017, 2018)
* 2016 Summit League Tournament appearance was first for EIU since 2009 season
* 2-2-1 record in Summit League in 2017 was first .500 or better conference season since 2000
* Coached team to Regional ranking during 2017 season
* Coached 2017 Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year - Mike Novotny
* Coached two first team All-Summit League performer (Mike Novotny & Edgar Mesa)
* Coached two second team All-Summit League performers
* Coached seven All-Summit League Newcomer Team selections
* Coached four Summit League All-Tournament Team selections
* Coached three Academic All-Summit League selections
* Also served as EIU women's soccer head coach for 2016 & 2017 seasons

Before Eastern Illinois
* Assistant Coach at Dayton (2009-14)
* Helped coach Dayton to National Rankings in 2009, 2012 and 2013
* Helped recruit three Top 40 recruiting classes
* Named Mid-Atlantic Assistant Coach of the Year by NSCAA in 2013
* Helped coach Dayton to the 2009 Atlantic 10 regular season title
* Women's soccer assistant coach at Washington State in 2005
* Helps coach and run Las Cruces Strikers Club Team

Personal
* Three-year men's soccer player at Incarnate Word (2001=03)
* Helped team reach back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournaments in 2002 & 2003
* Helped team reach No. 10 ranking in 2003 and No. 12 ranking in 2002
* Two-time NSCAA All-Academic Selection
* Bachelor's Degree from University of the Incarnate Word in 2003
* Played professionally for Minnesota Thunder of USL First Division (2004-06)
* Played professionally for Portland Timbers of USL First Division (2007-08)
* Made 63 career professional appearances
* Named Minnesota Thunder Humanitarian of the Year in 2006
* Named Portland Timbers Community Player of the Year in 2007
* Attended prestigious Bollettieri Soccer Academy
* He and wife Ashley have three children
* Native of Las Cruces, N.M.
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