University of Connecticut Athletics
Lauren Gunning Elevated to Women's Lacrosse Associate Head Coach
6/9/2021 4:31:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. – UConn head women's lacrosse coach Katie Woods announced the promotion of Lauren Gunning to Associate Head Coach.
Gunning, having just completed her seventh season on Woods' staff, helped guide the Huskies to one of their most successful seasons in program history, tying the school record for wins (12), setting a new mark for BIG EAST wins (7) while earning the team's second-ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Katie and step into my new role as Associate Head Coach," stated Gunning. "As an alum, the past seven years have been exciting watching the direction in which the program has grown. I want to thank Katie, the administration, and our players for their dedication and belief in this program and I am excited to build upon the success we had this season!"
"Lauren has been integral to our success not only this year, but with everything she has done that has helped us get to this point," stated head coach Katie Woods. "She is a great young coach and an alum with loyalty and passion for the program. She wants us to win and win championships"
Gunning, who played for the Huskies from 2008 through 2011, is the Huskies' offensive coordinator, leading this year's team to set new school records for goals scored (273), points (375), and shots (569). The Huskies averaged 14.37 goals per game this season, to rank 21st nationally. UConn's Lia LaPrise and Sydney Watson were among the top point and goal producers in the nation this season. LaPrise was 15th nationally in assists and 21st in total points while Watson ranked 21st in goals scored.
She also works with the team's goalkeepers and this season coached junior Landy White who was an All-BIG EAST and IWLCA All-Northeast Region player. UConn's goaltending was 25th nationally as a team in save percentage (.459) with White third in the country with 167 saves.
Gunning will also continue to assist with all facets of the lacrosse program including spearheading the team's recruiting efforts. "She is involved day to day in all aspects of the program and has done a great job in both player development as well as our culture development," commented Woods.
"We have a great group who is committed to what we want to do as a program and she has developed a great relationship with the student-athletes," said the head coach. "Looking back at this season and all we had to deal with around the pandemic, Lauren really helped to make the atmosphere one where we kept our eyes looking forward and focused on our goals but still having fun. She has been a huge part of that."
