On Wednesday morning, Oregon State announced that women’s soccer interim head coach Caroline Kelly has been promoted to head coach after an impressive 2024 season that exceeded expectations for the Beavers.
Oregon State Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Barnes finalized this decision, saying in a statement, “her passion for the game, commitment to our student-athletics, and impressive leadership skills have already made a remarkable impact on the program, and I am excited to continue watching this team grow under her direction.”
Kelly has been on the Beavers coaching staff since 2021 as an assistant, before being named interim in July when three-year head coach Lauren Sinacola resigned.
Before OSU, Kelly coached at a host of schools, including Cincinnati, Army, Dartmouth, and South Carolina, where Kelly earned her masters degree.
In her first year as the Beavers head coach, Kelly led the Beavers to a 7-9-2 record, with a win over nationally ranked No. 11 Santa Clara a highlight in Kelly’s first season.
Significant improvements were made by the Beavers under Kelly’s leadership this season, with a six-game unbeaten run midway through the season, and ending the season tied for second-best defense in the West Coast Conference.
Senior defender Amaya Bautista helped the Beavers to the impressive defensive record, and was recognized Wednesday morning as the WCC defender of the year, joined by five other Beavers in receiving conference recognition.
Senior forward Mckenna Martinez was named to the all-conference second team, and Hayden Wilson made the all-conference freshman team. Three other Beavers were honorable mentions.
The Beavers ended conference play 5-3-2, with their two best results coming against the two top teams in the WCC, the win against Santa Clara, and a draw against Pepperdine.
The win against Santa Clara was an impressive achievement for Kelly, who was the focal point of the emotional victory on a day when the Beavers recognized the 2024 senior class and won their first match against a nationally ranked opponent since 2021.
In an OSU press release, Kelly said, “I love the Beaver family and Corvallis community and couldn’t imagine being a head coach anywhere else.”
Kelly has helped write new program history, and led the Beavers to an impressive campaign, but will have work to do in the off-season, as 12 Beaver seniors depart Corvallis, including leading scorer Mckenna Martinez and defensive stalwart Bautista.
Kelly is focused on nothing but progress in 2025, saying in an OSU press release, “We built a strong foundation for the future this fall, but the job isn’t done yet and I’m excited to continue working with our incredible student-athletes, administration and Beaver Nation toward taking this program to new heights.”