HPU’s Norris To Coach Israel Women’s World Cup Lacrosse Team

High Point University assistant women’s lacrosse coach Lauren Norris has been named head coach of the Israel National Lacrosse Team for the 2013 FIL Women’s World Cup, the Israel Lacrosse Association announced on Monday. Norris joined the Panthers in 2012.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to coach internationally and lead Israel to its first ever World Championship Games,” said Norris. “It is an honor to be chosen to lead these young women on the field against the best teams in the world, and to work with them to help support, encourage, and promote the sport of lacrosse in Israel. I am looking forward to being a part of an organization that is geared toward developing young leaders, giving back to its community, and dedicating their time to the development of the game in Israel.”

As a player, Norris was a four-time Jewish All-American at Franklin & Marshall College from 2000-03. She was also a two-time All-American, three-time All-Region and three-time All-Centennial Conference first-team selection. She was the first player in team history to score 100 goals and register 100 assists in her career.

Prior to joining HPU, Norris was head coach at Franklin & Marshall from 2009-12 and led the Diplomats to the 2009 NCAA Div. III championship. She was named IWLCA Coach of the Year in 2009 and led the team to a 68-10 record in four seasons. The team won Centennial Conference titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Prior to Franklin & Marshall, Norris was assistant coach at Dickinson from 2005-07, helping the team to its first three Centennial Conference Tournament appearances in those seasons. In 2006, the Devils made their first NCAA Tournament appearance, advancing to the round of 16. Norris began her coaching career as an assistant at Lafayette in 2004.

“Lauren’s resume really speaks for itself,” said Scott Neiss, Director of the Israel Lacrosse Association. “We’re extremely confident in Lauren’s coaching ability, her passion for the sport and her commitment to developing the game in Israel. It’s clear she has the experience and the vision to lead our women’s program.”

The 2013 FIL Women’s World Cup, held at the Oshawa Civic Recreation Centre near Toronto, Canada, from July 10-20, 2013, marks the blue and white’s first foray in the quadrennial world championship, as well as Norris’s debut as a coach on the world stage.

The United States edged Australia, 8-7, to capture gold at the 2009 Women’s World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. The Americans will defend their title against Israel and 17 other nations this year in Oshawa. Other new entries expected to participate include Hong Kong, Latvia and Sweden.

Israel’s roster will be composed of Israeli players, as well as Jewish players from abroad in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The team will train July 4-8 in Ashkelon, Israel, before flying as a team to Toronto on July 9.