TOWSON, Md. ? Sonia LaMonica has been named as the Head Women?s Lacrosse Coach at Towson University. A native of Darlington, South Australia, LaMonica succeeds Missy Doherty.
?Sonia is a perfect fit for Towson University,? Interim Director of Athletics Ted Zaleski said. ?She has the experience to be a firm leader and is young enough to relate to the young women she will coach.
?She also provides Towson with continuity for our women?s lacrosse program,? Zaleski added. ?She helped recruit many of the players on this year?s squad. She will hit the field running.?
As Mount St Mary?s head coach, LaMonica led her team to an 8-9 record last year and a berth in the Northeast Conference (NEC) semi-finals.
?Returning to the Tiger Family is a dream come true for me and my family,? LaMonica said. ?I would like to thank Interim Director of Athletics Ted Zaleski and Senior Associate Athletic Director Nance Reed for this wonderful opportunity.
?I would also like to thank Mount St. Mary?s Athletic Director Lynne Robinson and University President Dr. Thomas H. Powell for the time I had to work with them and their student-athletes and for their support through this process,? LaMonica added.
Prior to becoming the Mountaineers? head coach, LaMonica spent two seasons as Towson?s assistant coach and helped the Tigers win a pair of Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships. She coached Hillary Fratzke, who was named as the 2008 CAA Player of the Year and earned first team All-America honors, and Julie Ondrako, who was named as the 2009 CAA Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, five players earned first team All-CAA notice while two players earned second team accolades. In addition to Fratzke, the Tigers had three players earn IWLCA all-region honors during her tenure at Towson.
Before joining the Tigers? staff, LaMonica was an assistant coach at the University of Denver, helping the Pioneers to a 15-5 record. She coached the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Player and Rookie of the Year along with three all-conference selections and the program?s first-ever IWLCA All-West/Midwest honoree.
In addition to her success as a coach, LaMonica was a member of the Australian National Team. She helped Australia win the gold medal at the 2005 World Cup Championship and a silver medal at the 2009 World Cup Championship. Named to the 2005 IFWLA All-World Team, she was also a member of the U-19 Australian National Team that won the silver medal at the 1999 World Championships and was the recipient of the U21 South Australian Sportswoman of the Year award.
A 2003 graduate of the University of Maryland, LaMonica was a three-year starter for the Terrapins. She earned first team All-America honors and was a candidate for the Tewaaraton Trophy during her senior season as a team captain she helped lead Maryland to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. She was a member of three ACC championship teams and helped the Terrapins win the 2000 and 2001 national titles.
She scored 111 goals in her college career, including 49 goals as a senior, along with 55 assists.
?I am charged with excitement and energy for this next chapter in my coaching career and look so very forward to reuniting with the student-athletes and staff at this outstanding institution and continuing the growth this program has experienced over the last few years.?
The former Sonia Judd, LaMonica is married to former University of Maryland men?s lacrosse standout Michael LaMonica. The couple resides in Parkton, Md. with their newborn son, Luca James.
Coach LaMonica will assume her duties as the Tigers? new women?s lacrosse coach on August 16.
