Jennifer Nielsen

Jennifer Nielsen, formerly known as Jen Lalor, was born in Chula Vista, Ca. and  started playing soccer at the age of 5.

Jen's trademark is her baIl skills and absolute control of the ball which had earned her a full sholarship to Santa Clara University.  It was this skill that enabled her to play for the US Women's National Team (1992-1995) and also had given her the pleasure of playing professionally in Japan, Denmark and Sweden.  She also played in the WUSA for 3 years for New York Power and San Diego Spirit.  

 Jen is currently:

-Assistant Coach at  Miramar Community College 

-Assistant Coach for the San Diego Sea Lions (local semi-pro team)

-Head Coach at Poway High School (Girls Varsity Soccer Program in her 4th season)

-Coaching and instructing daily sessions and clinics for JB Soccer 

-Recovering from ACL injury and giving birth to her 2nd child Alec (July 24, 2007) 

I was on the 1995 Women's World Cup team that played in Sweden. I played college soccer for Santa Clara University where I was named to the All-American team 3 years in a row. After college, I played professionally in Japan, Denmark and Sweden. I also played in the WUSA for 3 years (2 years for the New York Power and 1 year for the San Diego Spirit).

I am finally back home where it all began for me. I have played for many great coaches and had been taught a great deal as a player, especially skills on the ball. I had 3 coaches throughout my career that impacted my life and helped me become the person, player, and coach I am today.

#1. My Dad -  who was my first soccer coach and he would throw me balls in the backyard everyday before and after school. He taught me the importance of perfect repetitions and to be precise on every touch.

#2. Coach Milan Dovedan who was a Professional Soccer Player from Yugoslavia -  he taught me everything you could imagine about soccer skills.  By the age of 12, I started private/ individual skills sessions with him. It was those skills and Coerver Moves that stayed with me throughout my playing career and made me the player I am today.
It gave me confidence on the ball, the ability to be precise with every touch, and to be in balance with the ball at my feet. Because of the training early on and the desire to practice the skills on my own, I had been regarded by Tony Dichico (U.S. National Team Coach from 1992-1996) as one of the most skilled players in the country! These COERVER MOVES and Milan's skills have become my trade mark as a player and now as a coach!

#3. My husband and personal trainer Bo Nielsen. At the age of 26 I thought I had reached my potential as a player. I had been competing at the highest level for years and nobody taught me how to run at top speed with the ball.

Bo changed my game dramatically. From being a skillful player to a quick, fast player was amazing! I am living proof that YOU CAN TEACH SPEED but you have to work hard for it to happen. Bo also taught me about plyometrics, the importance of stretching, nutrition, and the mental aspect of the game.

This intense training lasted for 9 months - up until the WUSA Combine. There were 210 players invited to the WUSA Combine and I was drafted in the 2nd round by the New York Power.  I received acknowledgement from former National Team members and National Team coaches for my speed and high level of performance. I was invited back to the US Women's National  Team for a trip to China in 2001 where I scored the first goal ever in Dragon Stadium in which I won 10,000 Yen and a plaque with my name hangs on the stadium wall in China.