BURLINGTON, Vt. - University of Vermont head women's soccer coach Kwame Lloyd has announced that Kristi Lefebvre has been promoted to the top assistant position on his staff.

Lefebvre, who will begin her second season at Vermont in 2009, replaces Steph Mead who resigned in July after three seasons to pursue career opportunities outside of coaching.

"I am very appreciative of the work that Steph put in during this transitional period. She was a valuable member to our staff and displayed her passion for the women's soccer program and the University of Vermont," stated Lloyd.

"I am also excited to promote Kristi to the first assistant position. She is a rising talent and a key component to helping lead UVM women's soccer to the next level. She brings unquestionable character, experience from the highest level of women's soccer and a commitment to recruiting. Her extensive soccer IQ will be integral to our future success, and she shares our vision for the women's soccer program," continued Lloyd.

Lefebvre (pronounced lah-fave) is a former University of Connecticut and Colchester (Vt.) High School standout. She came to Vermont in 2008 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. She was also a member of the FSA SoccerPlus FC staff with Tony DiCicco, the former US Women's National Team coach, since 2005.

Lefebvre graduated from UConn in 2006 after a strong four-year career with the Huskies. She helped Connecticut win three Big East Regular Season titles and two tournament championships in her four years. The Huskies also advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times, including an appearance in the Final Four and national championship game in 2003.

Lefebvre served as a team captain as a senior and earned team MVP honors that year. She earned NSCAA All-Northeast Region and NEWISA All-New England honors in 2005 and closed out her career ranked among the all-time leaders in games played at UConn with 93 appearances.

Prior to her collegiate career at Connecticut, Lefebvre played locally at Colchester High School. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year and Vermont Player of the Year twice and was named to the all-state first team all four years. Lefebvre also earned all-America honors twice during her scholastic career.

Lefebvre also played for one of the top club programs, the Bethesda (Md.) Fury, prior to beginning her collegiate career. She won three state championships, two regional championships and one national championship in 2001 with the Fury.

Lefebvre continued her playing career following her graduation from UConn. In 2006, she led the New Jersey Wildcats of the W-League to the Eastern Conference Regular Season Championship. She also served as captain of the SoccerPlus Connecticut Reds of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in 2008.