Professional PLL
06:00 PM
Jul 19
Phi
Den
The Lauren Morton era is underway on Commonwealth Avenue.
The accomplished Boston University alum and former BU assistant was named head coach just four months ago, but she’s already begun to shape what the Terrier program will look like for years to come.
Morton joins the Patriot League program following four years at Duke, serving the last two as associate head coach. At Duke she oversaw the offense, which included All-ACC and All-Region draw specialist and attacker Olivia Jenner.
Now, Morton looks to transform a Boston University program into a league contender with the likes of recent champions Loyola and Navy. If she accomplishes that task, it means she’s returned her beloved program to the heights that were enjoyed while she was a student-athlete.
“It’s exciting to see the history of the program,” Morton said. “And know it’s possible: we are capable of achieving here. I had four phenomenal years in NCAA's here, I think it’s something that’s inspiring for the girls to hear and makes them want to work hard.”
When Morton graduated she left as the program record holder in draw controls (182), while racking up program top-10 bests in goals (160), points (179), ground balls (144) and caused turnovers (92).
Two of her four playing teams earned seeds and won games in the NCAA Tournament during a stretch of six years where the Terriers made every tournament, while in the America East Conference. Since 2010, however, Boston University has not been back. The Terriers played their first lacrosse season in the Patriot League in 2014.
For Morton, she’s attempting to take bits and pieces from each of her previous stops in recreating the BU program. She said learning how to cultivate a culture at Duke was an important lesson from current coach Kerstin Kimel, while seeing technical pieces that Georgetown’s Ricky Fried applied in concert with the U.S. National Team program.
It’s exciting to see the history of the program, and know it’s possible. I had four phenomenal years in NCAA's here, I think it’s something that’s inspiring for the girls to hear and makes them want to work hard.
Unique to Morton’s situation is taking over for her former coach, Liz Robertshaw, for whom she played and was an assistant coach (2010-12). Robertshaw was named head coach during Morton’s junior year when she was a captain. She and her teammates sent flowers to welcome the new coach.
“She sent me flowers,” Morton added. “Twelve years later, returning the favor, wishing me luck.”
With that torch passed, Morton’s focus turns to the current team who features plenty of offensive firepower and five passionate seniors led by captains Tonianne Magnelli, Kelly Mathews and Katie Belval. Along with Molly Kern and Catherine McAuley, Morton has praise for the senior quintet who have eased her transition.
“They’ve been willing to put in a lot of time and a lot of work,” said Morton. “We’ve heavily relied on them. They’ve been awesome and I can’t speak highly enough about them as a senior class.”
The changes Morton is installing is to create a quicker tempo of play. Morton identified that the team has a lot of speed to utilize.
“I think we want to be versatile and dynamic,” Morton said. “What we’ve seen thus far is depth in the midfield and the ability to score. I think, again, it’s playing to our strengths. This speed aspect is part of our strength: teaching the players in practice and allowing them to read and react.”
Picking up the pace will be imperative if the Terriers are to try and contend with Patriot League stalwarts Loyola and Navy.
“Both Navy and Loyola have set a tremendous bar,” Morton noted. “To compete them you have to be able to stay up with them speed wise.”
PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Lauren Morton came back to Boston University, where she played and coached, after a four-year stint coaching at Duke.
There are always many unknowns for a first-year coach and the Terrier defense presents quite a few for Morton and her assistants, Brittany Dipper and Robbie Pisano. Just three defenders return with freshmen expected to play important roles. Additionally, a new starting goalie is needed.
“It’s really unique,” Morton said. “It’s given our midfielders a tremendous opportunity to step up and solidify their defensive game. It’s been exciting to teach them, just to learn a lot, which is something we didn’t necessarily expect. One of our freshman defenders, Kylie Cadogan, in two months has grown tremendously.”
Morton acknowledges the difficulties of ushering in a new coaching regime and is appreciative of her athletes’ collective response. If anything, her experience of being that player with a new head coach aids in connecting with her players.
“I think for a lot of players, none of them expected this,” Morton said of the coaching change. “The timing is really scary. I think we try to be forward focused and [ask the players to] have faith, and to allow faith be bigger than their fear.”