Ja'net Lawrence
Ja'net Lawrence brought a host of firsts to the Menlo College Women's Soccer program and continues to do so. Lawrence played a trio of seasons for the Oaks from 2003-05 and left her mark by becoming the first All-American in program history. That's not all, in 2005, she helped Menlo to a 13-5-1 overall record and 6-0 mark in conference play, good for the first conference title in program history. Now, she can boast that she is the first women's soccer play ever to be inducted into the Menlo College Athletics Hall of Fame.
"All the glory belongs to God who made me with the ability to play soccer," said Lawrence. "I am very humbled to know other thought of inducting me this year."
In 2004, under third-year head coach Owen Flannery, the Oaks went 13-7-1 – then good for the most wins in a season. In 2005, the Oaks matched that mark but increased the winning percentage with a 13-5-1 overall record and a conference title, outscoring opponents 62-20. Lawrence won Cal-Pac, Regional and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors that season.
Lawrence, an East Palo Alto native, cites three reasons for choosing Menlo College.
"One, my family could watch me play the rest of my college soccer career instead of moving out of state again. Two, I was open to helping coach Owen Flannery build a legacy at Menlo college for women's soccer. I love the story of becoming a fighting underdog and raising to the top. Last but not least, I didn't feel like I was just a number, Menlo college was small enough to hold me accountable for everything in my life. We were a family and we looked out for each other."
Over the course of her three seasons on the field, Lawrence helped the Oaks to 32 wins in three season. Making it more remarkable is the fact that the two seasons prior to her joining the team, they had gone 0-28.
"My fondest memories include being on an improving soccer team each season," she said. "I had the privilege of watching my teammates develop as individual players and we got better as a team because of the hard work. Off the field, I made lifelong friendships with teammates and have lifelong relationships with teachers and staff at Menlo."
