Courtney Connor learned how to be a winner as a player on the University of Maryland women?s lacrosse team.
During her five years in College Park, Connor ended each season with a national championship during the Terps? record-setting run of seven straight titles. She hasn?t reached that level yet as a coach, but that may change if Connor?s continues on her current path.
Connor, the daughter of former Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Tippy Martinez, took over the University of Maryland-Baltimore County program and quickly transformed it into a contender for the America East Conference title. The Retrievers went 10-7 last year, doubling their win total from the previous year. UMBC also went 5-1 in conference play and won a share of the regular-season title before being upset in the America East quarterfinals against New Hampshire, 12-5.
With five of the top six goal scorers returning and a 12-member freshman class coming in, expectations for the Catonsville school have changed dramatically in the last year. Now, an NCAA tournament bid is not an unrealistic goal. That pursuit begins today at 1 when UMBC opens its season at Howard.
“Starting off the season by beating Howard last year set the tone for us,” Connor said. “Now, the players know what they?re capable of, and the 12 freshmen we?ve added give us the depth we didn?t have last year.”
Junior attack Ali Levendusky is helping to bridge the gap. The former John Carroll standout tallied 41 goals and 13 assists last season.
