Katie Haus, a two-time Tewaaraton Award winner and U.S. women’s national team veteran, announced her retirement Monday afternoon.

Haus, who currently serves as the director of lacrosse operations for the Penn State women’s lacrosse team, said in a statement that she’s thankful for all that lacrosse has brought her.

It’s hard to put into words the impact that playing lacrosse has had on my life.

I first picked up a stick when I was 4 years old. I started my career in the Freedom Lacrosse youth program. I played for Hero’s Lacrosse Club throughout middle school and high school and played for Century High School.

I represented my home state and competed at the University of Maryland.

I was given the greatest honor of wearing the red, white and blue for my country on the U.S. women’s national team. 

Lacrosse has awarded me with endless opportunities, friendships and memories. But the time has come for me to retire from playing the sport that’s given me so much.

There is truly no easy way to say "thank you" to a sport that has been there during my highest of highs and lowest of lows.

There is no easy way to say "thank you" to a sport that has connected me with the most incredible teammates and coaches who continue to pave the way for the next generation.

There is no easy way to say "thank you" to a sport that allowed me to pursue my biggest dreams. 

I do know one thing — lacrosse will continue to be a part of my life forever.

Haus (neé Schwarzmann) was a go-to scorer for Maryland from 2010-13. The Sykesville, Md., product won a national championship in 2010 and lost in the national championship game in 2011 and 2013. She was a Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2011 before winning the Tewaaraton Award in both 2012 and 2013.

Haus, 29, has been in the U.S. national teams program since 2010. With the U.S. national team, Haus developed a role as a grinder in the midfield, causing havoc on the ride while sparking the U.S. team with constant energy.

In 2013, she was a member of the gold-medal-winning team at the FIL World Cup in Oshawa, Ontario. She also earned a gold medal in 2017 at the FIL World Cup in Guildford, England.