By Sophie Grabiec
Elm Staff Writer
The women’s lacrosse team is jumping into the 2017 season with new assistant coach, Julie Morse.
Morse is from Easton, Maryland and her sister is a graduate of Washington College and was on the swim team under Kim Lessard. Morse graduated from Loyola College and played for Jen Adams, a notable name in the game of women’s lacrosse, as a starter. Loyola’s highly regarded reputation for women’s lax shaped Morse into the player and coach she is today.
“I decided to get into coaching because of positive role models I had at Loyola. I learned a lot from my coaches. They are regarded as some of the greatest lacrosse players ever and biggest innovators of the game,” Morse said.
Morse has transitioned from the gastroenterology field to her coaching position here at WC with great ease. Heidi and the rest of the team have embraced Morse and her ample
amount of lacrosse capability.
Morse coaches have inspired her highly competitive play which she looks to translate into her now role on the sidelines. She has taken the skills she developed as well as the desire to win from her own experiences and has chosen to instill those things into the players at Washington College.
“Because of them [previous coaches], I want to further influence the next generation of players. To me, that’s what makes a great coach, someone with passion for the game and its next generation,” Morse said.
Despite her history in defending, Morse has taken on the roles of offensive coaching while co-assistant coach Haydon Judge focuses on the defensive end. Morse is looking forward to the season and is enthusiastic about guiding the team with big goals.
“The girls are very eager to learn and receptive to new ideas. The goal of our season is reach the top of the Centennial Conference and make and NCAA Bid. The girls are working hard every day to make that happen,” she said.
Head Coach Heidi Yetman feels that Morse’s experience as a college player will translate well into her role now.
“Because Jen was such a great player and a great coach, Julie brings a wealth of lacrosse knowledge and experience to our team and program,” said Yetman.
“Her elite knowledge and expertise of the game encompasses attack, midfield, and defense. She has been focusing her efforts here at WCC a lot with our offense and you can already see the impact” said Yeman.
Morse has also embraced working under an experienced coach like Yetman.
“Working under Heidi has been great. She’s guiding me through her coaching style, and our team philosophies,” Morse said. “She’s also given me a lot of freedom to teach, create, and bring my own style to the field. Being a first year college coach, having someone to learn from and bounce ideas off of has been awesome.”