Jennifer Lalor

Jennifer Lalor

Lalor in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Jennifer Ann Nielsen
Birth name	Jennifer Ann Lalor[1]
Date of birth	(1974-09-05) September 5, 1974 (age 50)[2]
Place of birth	San Diego, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1992–1996	Santa Clara Broncos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–1998	Shiroki Serena
1998	Frederiksberg Boldklub
1999	Hammarby
2000	San Diego WFC
2001–2002	New York Power
2003	San Diego Spirit
International career
1992–2001	United States	23	(2)
Managerial career
2010–2017	San Diego WFC SeaLions
2021–2022	Albion SC
2023–	NJ/NY Gotham FC (assistant)
Medal record FIFA Women's World Cup 1995 USA Team competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jennifer Ann Nielsen (née Lalor; born September 5, 1974) is an American retired soccer midfielder who is an assistant coach for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She made 23 appearances for the United States national team from 1992 to 2001.

Born in Chula Vista, California, Lalor attended Bonita Vista High School and helped the soccer team to two undefeated seasons and clinch two Metro League titles.^[3] She opted not to play high school soccer during her junior and senior years and instead played for the Southern California Blues club team.^[4]

Lalor attended Santa Clara University, where she played for the Broncos from 1992-1996. In 1994, she led the team in assists with 20. She was named to the NSCAA All-American team in 1993, 1994 and 1996. Lalor played in two Final Fours with the Broncos and led the nation in assists in 1994 and 1996. She was a finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club Award and Hermann Trophy in 1993 and 1994.^[4]

Lalor was the first player to ever receive a full scholarship for soccer to Santa Clara. She was inducted into the Santa Clara Hall of Fame in 2008.^[5]

From 1997–1998, Lalor played professionally in Japan for Shiroka Serena. In 1998, she played in Denmark for FB. In 1999, she played for Swedish club, Hammarby.^[4]

Lalor was selected in the second round of the WUSA Inaugural Draft by the New York Power. She played for the Power from 2001–2002.^[6] In 2003, she played for the San Diego Spirit.^[4][7]

Lalor was a member of the United States women's national soccer team player pool from 1987–1995. Her first appearance for the senior team occurred on August 18, 1992 in a match against Norway. She scored her first goal on August 13, 1994 during a match against Mexico. She previously represented the United States on the U-16, U-19, U-20 levels. From 1987-1991, she played for the U.S. Under-16 and Under-19 National Team. In 1993, she competed with the U-20 National team in France, when the team won the International Women's Tournament.^[4]

In 1995, she was part of the team that took home bronze at the Women's World Cup in Sweden. She returned to the national team player pool in 2001.^[4][7][8][9]

In 2012, she was nominated for entry into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.^[10]

On February 15, 2023, Lalor was appointed as an assistant coach for NJ/NY Gotham FC.^[11]

• "Coach Jen 'Lalor' Nielsen". San Diego Football Academy. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)