Effort is spawned by a decision that leads to action. It’s a tool coveted by those who are fiercely competitive.

Head Coach Kylee Flynn is determined to make Monmouth University synonymous with winning soccer on the national stage. For the Hawks to soar at such heights, effort will need to start at the top and permeate throughout her roster.

“You can outwork people in this profession,” says Flynn. “If you need to drive to Long Island to see a prospect play, you get in the car and go see her. Sometimes getting the best recruits can be achieved through effort.”

After serving as an assistant to Krissy Turner for 10 seasons, Flynn was named the fourth head coach in program history last July. The transition seemed … effortless. Flynn flourished in her new position, leading Monmouth to a 13-2-3 record and regular season title in the Hawks first season in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) last fall. She was named CAA Co-Coach of the Year, while six Monmouth players earned all-league honors.

The transition may have appeared effortless, but Flynn worked hard to make it as smooth as possible.

“The relationship with the players has to be different,” says Flynn. “They could come to me with things as an assistant, but as the head coach, I had to make hard decisions and deliver messages mindfully. It was an adjustment for me and for the upperclassmen especially.”

The women’s soccer program at Monmouth has sustained an outstanding reputation for over 20 years. Turner led the Hawks to 10 conference titles and punched eight tickets to NCAA championship tournaments. One hurdle the program is yet to clear is advancing to a second-round match.

As a star player at the University of Tennessee, Flynn sent the Volunteers to a third-round contest in the 2007 NCAA Tournament when she tallied the game-winning goal in a 1-0 overtime win against Clemson University. She badly wants her Monmouth players to taste victory at the NCAAs, not only for the thrilling moment but also for the program’s future. Advancing in the NCAA tournament draws national recognition and can expand her recruiting field geographically.

“Krissy and the alumni built this program,” says Flynn. “The best way to honor their success is to become even better and achieve more. The coaching staff will work hard to bring in the best players and prepare them every time they take the field. I love this program and want to continue growing the great tradition of Monmouth soccer.