The dawn of a new season often brings about a lot of pressure for both players and coaches. During training camp, players are worried about playing up to their full potential while coaches often strive to find that perfect mix of individual talent and team unity that will make for a successful campaign. For head coach Katie Woods of the American University women's lacrosse team, this challenge is magnified by the fact that the 2007 season is her inaugural campaign at the helm of the Eagles.
Woods joins the AU athletic community after having previously served as the assistant coach of Brown University for the past two seasons. The sixth coach since the creation of the program in 2000, Woods takes over a team that went 6-11 last season under former coach Ashley Flanigan. Woods says despite the record, the team has a chance to be very successful this season.
"I think that the program has a lot of potential," Coach Woods said. "I think that we can be a top-four team in the conference and can improve to contend for a [Patriot League] title and NCAA tournament spot."
Recognizing potential on the lacrosse field should be nothing new to Woods, a former standout player herself at Drew University. Graduating with a degree in psychology in 2001, Woods was a two-sport star in soccer and lacrosse. She earned two Regional All-American honors as well as a National All-American award for her play on the lacrosse field. She said her experience as a player has helped her further her coaching career.
"I started coaching camps while I was still a player early in my collegiate career," Coach Woods said. "That introduction to coaching at an early age has definitely helped me later in life."
While she has only been with her new team for a short while, Woods already recognizes the potential of her team and has goals set for this upcoming season.
"The team has been working very hard in the off-season and the early pre-season. We are just taking it day by day," Coach Woods said. "Each game is just another test for us. If we can finish in the top-four, we will be able to start our second season in the Patriot League tournament"
