Towson University?s Missy Doherty is in her fourth year as head coach of the women?s lacrosse team. The squad finished 6-9 last season, but several key starters will return and she expects to contend for the Colonial Athletic Association title this season. The Tigers won their lone conference title in 2005, the only year they qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
This season you have a lot of returning starters. What are the expectations?
We only graduated three starters last year and have all but one person back on defense. Experience is something you can?t coach. Hopefully, this will take our one-goal games from losses to wins. We had a lot of tough games last year, and I think some of it was due to inexperience.
How have you seen the program change since you?ve been hired?
Early on, we have had some pretty great success winning our team?s first championship and posting the best record in school history my first year. I think coming in, I wanted to bring a high level of play and not settling for second-best.
Has coaching here been what you expected?
I was surprised how great the school and facility were. There are so many top-notch facilities around here that if you don?t come explore it, you wouldn?t know it?s here. Our stadium and facilities are top-notchand we are hosting our NCAA Women?s Lacrosse Championship this year, and it?s one of the best places in the country to have it.
Shannon Witzel is now a member of your coaching staff after she graduated last spring as the third-leading scorer in school history. How do you see her making the transition to coaching her former teammates?
Shannon wants to get into coaching, so it?s a good thing for her to come and see what it?s like in the inside, and see if it?s really her thing and if she likes it. It will help out our team, as well, so we are lucky to have her.
