University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut Athletics
2095 Hillside Rd, Unit 1173 Storrs, CT 06269

Division 1 Connecticut Northeast

Public Large National competitor

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Coaches

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Katie Woods

Katie Woods enters up her 13th season as head coach at UConn in 2023. Woods' 113 wins and .574 win percentage at UConn both mark the highest in program history, as Woods looks to continue her reign as the most successful coach in UConn women's lacrosse history.

The 2021 season was one of the most memorable in program history as UConn went 12-7 overall and 7-3 in BIG EAST contests. Sydney Watson became the first player in program history to be named an IWLCA First Team All-American, while a program-record eight Huskies were named to the All-BIG EAST teams. Watson led the BIG EAST in goals (56) and draw controls (136) and was additionally named the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year. As a team, UConn set new team records in 2021 for goals scored (273), points (375), shots (569) and draw controls (286). The Huskies appeared in the BIG EAST championship game and made their second NCAA Tournament appearance after earning an at-large bid. Woods and her staff were recognized as the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.

Woods coached her players to great success in 2018 and for the first time in program history guided two Huskies to IWLCA All-American status. Seniors Cassie Ekstrom and Grace Nolan were tabbed Second and Third Team All-Americans, respectively, in addition to being named to the IWLCA All-Northeast Region First Team. Ektsrom and Nolan established themselves as the top players in the BIG EAST Conference and were selected as the BIG EAST Defensive and Offensive Players of the Year, respectively, as well as while being honored as All-Conference First Team selections. Nolan left UConn as the all-time points (285) and goals (186) and was selected to the 2018 All-ECAC Second Team. Woods also coached freshman Sydney Watson to All-Northeast Region Second Team and BIG EAST Second Team accolades.

Woods helped UConn make history in 2015, helping UConn to accomplished two firsts in the 2015 Big East Tournament after topping Georgetown in the semifinal round. The win marked UConn's first Big East postseason victory in program history and sent the Huskies to their first ever Big East Championship game. Connecticut fell to top-seeded Florida in the finals, as UConn ended the season with double-digit win total (11-7).

In 2015 three UConn players and the Huskies coaching staff each took home major Big East season awards prior to the start of the conference tournament. Lauren Kwasnowski was tabbed the League's Defender of the Year, while Shannon Nee (Goalkeeper of the Year) and Grace Nolan (Rookie of the Year) were also both recognized. Woods and her staff earned Big East Coaching Staff of the Year after leading a Huskies team that once again finished perfect (6-0) at home during the regular season.

That January, Woods was inducted into the CT Lacrosse Hall of Fame along with six other honorees. The Connecticut native, who was a three-sport athlete in high school was recognized in a ceremony on Jan. 30 in Milford, Conn.

In 2013, Woods helped the Huskies make history, as Connecticut finished the season 13-5 and clinched a berth in both the BIG EAST Championships and NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

Woods joined the University of Connecticut as the head women's lacrosse coach in 2011 after serving in the same role for the previous four years at American University.

During her time at American, the Eagles collected 23 all-conference selections, five Patriot League Player of the Year honors and 72 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll accolades. Following the 2008 season Woods was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to a 5-1 record in league play and a share of the regular season championship.

During the 2004 season Woods was the first assistant at Cornell where she worked with the attack and aided in player development. With the Big Red she also planned team travel and was responsible for recruiting and film breakdown. Woods later joined Brown University as an assistant coach in 2005 and 2006, coaching the offensive unit and assisted in goalkeeper coaching.

Prior to her time at Cornell, Woods served as an assistant coach at Davidson for the 2003 season where she helped plan practices and organized recruiting efforts in addition to coaching during contests.

Woods also spent a year at Ithaca College in 2002 as a graduate assistant coach for both women's soccer and lacrosse. While at Ithaca, she earned her master's in exercise and sports sciences.

Woods was a two-sport athlete at Drew, where she played lacrosse and soccer. She was a four-time All-Conference selection in lacrosse, also picking up two Regional All-America and one National All-America award. Woods also excelled in the classroom as a two-time Scholar Athlete award winner.

She graduated with a degree in psychology in May 2001. Woods is a 1997 graduate of South Windsor High School where she played soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

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Kaitlin Frederick

Katie Frederick joined the UConn women's lacrosse staff in August, 2021.

Fredrick comes to UConn after a coaching stint at Coastal Carolina where she served as the defensive coordinator and goalkeeper specialist since 2016 and was also the team's recruiting coordinator during her tenure.

"I'm really excited to have Katie in our program," stated Woods. "She brings a wealth of experience on and off the field and has a real passion for the game, and excitement for UConn. We are looking forward to her joining the program and working with our student-athletes."

During her tenure at Coastal Carolina, Frederick coached a pair of goaltenders to defensive player of the year awards and had the league's first team all-conference goalkeeper for five-straight seasons. She coached 20 all-conference defenders and midfielders including 11 first teamers.

Before entering the coaching ranks at Coastal Carolina, Frederick had a standout four-year playing career at Ohio State where she captained the team. During her four-years, Ohio State racked up 45 wins, earned the program's highest national ranking (#8) and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Frederick graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Human Development and Family Science in 2016 and was a BIG 10 Distinguished Scholar Athlete.

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Kelly Dowd

Kelly Dowd joined the UConn women's lacrosse coaching staff in September 2022 and enters her second season with the Huskies.

Dowd, a 2017 graduate from Queens University of Charlotte, comes to Storrs after serving as the assistant lacrosse coach at the University of Indianapolis. Dowd helped lead her athletes to a 2022 Grand Lakes Valley Conference Championship, a 2022 Mid-West Regional Championship, and the 2022 National championship.

In her tenure at Indianapolis, Dowd coached six All-Americans, eight All-Region Selections and 13 All-Conference selections. In addition, the defense coached under Dowd led all Division II teams in scoring defense only allowing 5.3 goals per game. In the 2022 season Dowd helped lead Indianapolis to a 22-1 overall record.

Prior to her tenure at the University of Indianapolis, Dowd has a plethora of experience having been an assistant at Belmont Abbey College, and a head coach at Queen City Stars Elite Lacrosse. While at Belmont Abbey College, Dowd coached 19 players of the week, and 17 All-Conference team selections.

Dowd was a lacrosse athlete at Queens University of Charlotte where she is the All-Time leader in program history with 210 draw controls and was a multiple All-Conference team selection. In addition, Dowd finished her collegiate career having been named a second team All-American, IWLCA All-Region first team, and was named to the IWLCA Senior All Star game.