For the first time in nearly three decades, the Virginia women’s lacrosse program has a new voice leading the program. UVA announced the hire of Sonia LaMonica as its new head coach Wednesday as she takes the reins from Julie Myers, who had coached the Cavaliers for 28 years.
LaMonica becomes just the fourth coach in program history with Linda Southworth (1976-1983), Jane Miller (1984-1995), and Myers (1996-2023) holding the position previously. LaMonica worked as the head coach at Towson for the past 14 seasons where she posted a 139-91 (.604) record and won 4 Colonial Athletic Association Tournament titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016).
Leadership at both Towson and Virginia praised LaMonica as a person and coach in statements.
“Coach LaMonica is a fearless competitor who had a dominant career as a player at Maryland and as the head coach at Towson,” Virginia Athletics Director Carla Williams said in a news release. “She’ll hit the ground running here at UVA. Her teams are tough, skilled and disciplined and Towson has competed with the best in women’s lacrosse throughout her career. She is a wonderful person, coach and role model and she will be an amazing addition to our department and coaching roster. We are excited about the future of UVA women’s lacrosse as we welcome Coach LaMonica and her family to Charlottesville.”
“UVA is getting an excellent coach and person in Sonia LaMonica,” Towson Director of Athletics Steve Eigenbrot said in a news release. “Her hard work and reputation have put her in a position for this opportunity and we are extremely grateful for everything she’s done for Towson and our student-athletes.”
LaMonica led Towson to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Tigers finished .500 or better in 12 of her 14 seasons with the pandemic-shortened year accounting for one of the misses. The program made the CAA Tournament Championship game 9 times, including 6 straight from 2011-2016 and the last 2 in 2022 and 2023. She was named CAA Coach of the Year 5 times.
Prior to taking the top job at Towson, LaMonica served as the Mount St. Mary’s head coach for 1 season and as an assistant at Towson and Denver. She also worked as the head coach of the Baltimore Brave of the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League. The Brave won the 2019 league title with her at the helm.
As a player, LaMonica starred at Maryland where she was a three-year starter and first team All-American. In 2003, she was a candidate for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the Terps won the ACC title. Overall, she helped Maryland win three ACC crowns and the 2000 and 2001 National Championships. She scored 111 goals with 55 assists in her career. She went on to play for the Australian National Team at multiple World Cups and helped win the gold medal in 2005.
LaMonica said in the Towson statement that leaving her post there is bittersweet.
“It is a bittersweet moment,” LaMonica said in the Towson news release. “It has been an amazing journey. This is a people business and I built so many meaningful relationships over the many years and learned so much. I am so grateful to be able to be part of an amazing athletics department and to be able to work with great student-athletes and amazing families. It has been an absolute privilege.”
Still, the opportunity to take on the Virginia job along with her husband and assistant coach Michael LaMonica proved to be exciting. The Cavaliers have been a steady winner with Myers taking the program to the postseason in each year of her tenure that the NCAA Tournament was held. They piled up 349 wins in her tenure.
The UVA program also has claimed National Championships in the past. Myers led the Hoos top the top of the mountain in 2004, while Miller’s team won the title in 1991 and 1993.
That tradition was not lost on LaMonica, who called it an honor to follow Myers in the head coach’s seat.
“I’m excited and deeply humbled to be appointed as the head women’s lacrosse coach for the University of Virginia,” LaMonica said in the Virginia news release. “I would like to thank President Jim Ryan, Athletics Director Carla Williams and Deputy Athletics Director Steve Pritzker for this incredible opportunity and for their support throughout this process. It is abundantly evident that our vision and aspirations for the UVA women’s lacrosse program are in alignment. Moreover, the University’s outstanding reputation, incredible alumni support, and the solid groundwork already established provide an ideal environment to transform those aspirations into reality.
“It is an absolute honor to follow in the footsteps of a legend. Julie Myers’ dedication and love for this program has been unwavering and a source of inspiration. Joining the esteemed Virginia athletics family, as well as embracing the vibrant Charlottesville community, represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am eagerly anticipating the chance to work with these extraordinary student-athletes and further cultivate and solidify a winning culture at this wonderful, dynamic university.”
