LaBella enters her fourth season on staff at Rhode Island in 2023. After beginning her career at Rhody in 2019 as a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Megan Jessee promoted LaBella to a full time assistant in January of 2021.
The Rams have had two Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances in three seasons while LaBella has been on the sideline. In 2021, the Rams had their first postseason appearance since 2016. LaBella works mostly with the forwards, and in 2023 freshman Lauren MacDonald was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.
LaBella comes to Rhode Island after spending three years as an assistant women's soccer coach at Wheaton College.
"I am really excited to welcome Katy to our Rhody women's soccer family," said Jessee. "She brings a wealth of knowledge, as well as playing and coaching experience at the collegiate level. She will be a great addition to our staff."
Prior to her time with Wheaton, LaBella was a youth club soccer coach with Valeo FC. She was the head coach of all ages, preparing players and building the foundation for many of their soccer careers.
LaBella started her college coaching as a volunteer coach for Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass. She helped guide the Leopards defensive unit to an impressive .590 goals against average in the 2016 season.
As a player, LaBella was a standout and a leader throughout her career at Saint Francis University. With the Red Flash as a sophomore, LaBella helped lead her team to a NEC tournament championship and the team’s first NCAA appearance in the school’s history. During her junior and senior seasons, she was named captain and led the team to back-to-back NEC regular season championships. She played club soccer for South Shore Select where she won the 2006 & 2007 Massachusetts State Championship. LaBella has also been a youth soccer coach with the South Shore Select since last summer.
updated 11/16/23
