Coaches

Kara Lail

Kara Lail joined CIU in July 2014 as the school's first-ever women's soccer coach. Lail is currently the longest-tenured head coach at CIU, as the 2023 season will be her ninth season in program history.


Since Lail's first season at CIU in 2015, she has led her team to four NCCAA National Tournaments, four NCCAA South Region tournaments, and two Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournaments.


2022 saw the Rams win their first-ever AAC tournament game as they defeated Bryan College (Tenn.) 1-0 on November 1. Following the 2022 season, Rams' forward Mercy Berkemeyer was named an AAC All-Conference performer. To cap off the year, Lail was selected as the NISOA Frank Jewell Award winner. This award is given annually to an NCCAA coach whose reputation is recognized by soccer officials as praiseworthy and reflective of the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior.


Another notable accomplishment on Lail's resume includes being named the 2020 NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year after her team bounced back from a sub .500 year in 2019 to finish 2020 at 7-6-1. Lail has coached two NCCAA All-Americans during her time with the Rams and has more NCCAA Scholar-Athletes in her program history than any other athletic team at CIU.


A native of Rochester, N.Y., Lail came to CIU after serving as the women's assistant soccer coach at Colorado Christian University (CCU). While at CCU, she helped lead the Cougars to the NCCAA Regional Tournament and played an integral role in developing players who were honored with conference and regional awards in NCAA Division II and the NCCAA. Lail also served as a coach's mentor at Broomfield Soccer Club, helping with coach and player development.


Prior to her two-year stint at CCU, Lail spent her collegiate career at Roberts Wesleyan College. While at Roberts, Lail was named to the All-American Mideast Conference Team all four years in addition to being named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region Team. She was also recognized as the Champion of Character Award Winner in 2011 and served as the team chaplain for two years and team captain for one.


In addition to her soccer career, Lail competed in indoor track and led Roberts' women's lacrosse team during their inaugural season. Lail also served for two summers with the Chicago Eagles, a part of Missionary Athletes International, where she was trained in sports ministry and shared the gospel through soccer camps throughout Chicago and also in Brazil.


Lail currently holds a 65-72-17 record as the only coach in CIU women's soccer history.


Lail completed her Master's of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Colorado Christian University and her Bachelor's of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Roberts Wesleyan. She currently holds her USSF National C Soccer Coaching License and was named to the 2018-2019 United Soccer Coaches 30 under 30 class.


Formerly, Kara Farnsworth, Lail married CIU's Head Athletic Trainer Ryan Lail in the summer of 2020, and the two reside in Columbia with their sons Austin and Parker.

Nate Rhine

Alli Edens

Assistant Coach