BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — Lucy Gillett played goalkeeper professionally with Brighton & Hove Albion as well as Crystal Palace in England.

Now, after a season as an assistant coach with the LIU women's soccer team, she is ascending to the head role with the Sharks.

Gillett, a Long Islander who attended South Side High School in Rockville Centre, has been leading LIU through its spring workouts.

She now has shed the "interim" from her title as the Sharks complete spring play on Friday night with a match at Stony Brook.

LIU will return for official practices for the fall season during the first week of August.

"I've been able to experience a lot playing overseas in England," said Gillett, who played in England from 2015 through 2020. "I've seen a lot of coaching styles, worked with a lot of very talented people. I'm excited to put that into play here and see what my experience from my playing career can do on the sideline now."

Gillett already has experience as a collegiate coach. She served as an assistant coach at St. John's for one season before joining the Sharks for the 2021-22 academic year.

"It's nice to be home, nice to be back," Gillett said. "Five years away was nice, but Long Island is home. I'm back with the family, back on Long Island, reconnecting with a lot of people that I grew up with, and calling it home again."

Gillett played a combined four collegiate seasons at Hofstra University and Springfield College. She went a combined 21-8 with 12 shutouts and a 0.79 goals against average during the final two seasons with Springfield, in 2013 and '14, while qualifying for the NCAA Tournament both seasons.

She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Springfield College. 

Gillett earned her coaching badges at Brighton's academy during her playing days abroad.

"My experiences in England have just been amazing and set my standards high," Gillett said. "Now I'm able to bring in what I really liked from overseas—bring that back over here and use that information."