Laurel Karnes Murphy '06 scored the goal heard around the college soccer world.

She was a senior midfielder who notched the most significant goal in the history of Yale women's soccer for the best team the program has produced.
It came with one second remaining against No. 3 Duke at New Haven in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. That 2-1 victory was the final one of the magical Yale fall that included a school-record 15 wins and streaks of 11 wins and 12 games without a loss… not to mention a third-round national tournament appearance.

"While I was the final -- sloppy, I might note -- touch on the ball, it moved through three other Yale players in the 10 seconds before arriving at my foot. It was a perfect representation of how strong our chemistry was by the end of the season, and it will remain one of my most memorable experiences at Yale," said Karnes Murphy.



Karnes Murphy, who earned an MBA from Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern, is now the Director of Product Development at Solaria Labs, the innovation arm of Liberty Mutual. 

"I build new products within the areas of mobility, shelter, and commerce, which push Liberty's current boundaries and better position the company for success in a world where risk and risk management are rapidly evolving. Scooter insurance, anyone?"

That famous tally on the natural grass of the Yale Soccer-Lacrosse Stadium 15 years ago, which was set up by Crysti Howser '09, nearly capped a career that placed Karnes fourth on the school's list for both goals (30) and points (77) (She hit the net a final time at Notre Dame a few days later in a game that determined a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals taken by the Irish).

"It [the win] was at the same time unbelievable and not at all surprising, given our incredible team that year. From the season opener, where we lost to Duke 1-0, through the final Duke and Notre Dame games, we grew closer, stronger, and more confident, which made the 89:59 goal a possibility and reality," said Karnes Murphy, who still plays a little soccer and enjoys chasing around her kids when she is not building new tech products.

Karnes Murphy is the new President of the Yale Women's Soccer Association. She and many of her teammates are pumped about helping the Bulldogs return to nationally prominent status.

"We were excited and proud to help Yale climb to higher echelons of soccer success as players. We felt that we belonged there. This, today, is one of the reasons my close friends from that same team and I have gotten involved with the association. We hope to support the return of Yale Women's Soccer to that position amongst Division I teams."

Karnes Murphy and the association hope to increase communication, awareness and support amongst alumni and between the alumni group and players.
"We hope to generate ideas, refine and update our objectives, and implement initiatives that are continually and increasingly impactful to current and former players, both in the near term, with virtual career mentoring and panels, as well as longer-term, with enhanced fundraising efforts," said Karnes Murphy, who lives in Boston with her husband, Nathan '04, a Yale hockey player, and daughter, Kemp (4), and son, Mikey (2).

She and many of her teammates were significantly impacted by the sport, Yale and the soccer program, and the results can be seen in their professional success.

"Across my career (before, at, and after Yale), soccer consistently expanded my world view, my perception of my limits, my social circle and support system, my confidence, and my ability to thrive within a team dynamic. Yale soccer, specifically, however, gave me a team of amazingly talented, hardworking, like-minded women, who became invaluable support and friends to me at Yale and after."

Karnes Murphy also said the structure and focus required to succeed at Yale as a student-athlete prepared her to "face and grind through" many challenges she experienced in work and beyond.

"Few places can equal Yale in terms of the community, opportunities, and challenges it offers, and for that, I am forever grateful."