Coaches

Anne Murray

With more than 12 years of NCAA Division I collegiate coaching experience, including nine combined seasons as both a coach and player in the Ivy League, and after helping to lead programs to eight NCAA Tournament berths and 12 conference regular season and tournament championships, Anne Murray was named Columbia University’s new Head Lacrosse Coach, Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling announced on July 15.


"We are excited to welcome Anne Murray as our new lacrosse coach at Columbia," Pilling said. “With the sustained success that she has achieved at the collegiate level, Anne brings a high level of coaching experience at a variety of institutions, including nine years as both a coach and player in the Ivy League. Everywhere that she has been, Anne has shown a commitment to achieving success and building a positive team culture. Her vision for the program includes having student-athletes that are hard-working, balanced academically and athletically, and fundamentally sound in their skill development.”


“At Columbia, we aim to compete for championships and provide an outstanding student-athlete experience. Anne fits into that vision.”


Murray arrives at Columbia after serving four successful seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Fairfield University under Head Coach Laura Field. During her tenure at Fairfield from 2017-21, the Stags captured three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships, won three MAAC tournament titles, compiled a four-year 43-18 overall and 24-3 MAAC record, and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. The Stags won back-to-back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships in her first two campaigns with the program in 2017-18 and 2018-19. After a COVID-19 shortened 2019-20 season, the Stags rebounded with a dominant 2020-21 season as they finished 13-2 overall, won the MAAC regular season with a 10-1 record, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the MAAC’s tournament title with three straight victories.


“I am grateful for the opportunity Peter Pilling has bestowed upon me and for the confidence he has shown in me through this process,” Murray said. “I also want to thank Matt Scally for the leadership and support he has shown along the way, as well as the time and effort everyone involved in the search committee has provided. I am honored to join the Columbia Athletics community and the university as a whole.”


“I consider myself fortunate to be able to represent such an esteemed institution and look forward to working with the unique individuals that make up the administration, coaches, staff, athletes, and alumni of Columbia University. I will cherish the role as Head Lacrosse Coach and cannot wait to begin the journey ahead with such a passionate group of women, both as players and alumnae. The program has a loud heart and all are ready for the task that is ahead. These young women pride themselves in their presence on the field, their ability in the classroom, and their efforts in the community.”


“I would also like to thank Head Fairfield Women’s Lacrosse Coach Laura Field, Fairfield Athletic Director Paul Schlickman, and Head Princeton Women’s Lacrosse Coach Chris Sailer for their guidance and help in preparing me for this.”


Before joining the Fairfield staff, Murray was a member of Chris Sailer's coaching staff at Princeton from 2013-17. During her tenure, the Tigers claimed four Ivy League Regular Season Championships and two Ivy League Tournament Championships in that span. Princeton's five NCAA postseason berths during Murray’s tenure included three trips to the Second Round and two appearances in the National Quarterfinals as the Tigers compiled a total of 64 wins with Murray on the sidelines.


Before heading back to her alma mater Princeton in 2013, Murray served on NCAA Division I coaching staffs at Mount St. Mary's (2009-10), Virginia Tech (2010-11), and Rutgers (2011-12). At Rutgers, Murray was charged with practice planning, scouting, recruitment, and implementing game-day strategies. She directed drills at practice to help improve individual and team stick work, coordinated in-game substitutions and managed video of opponents and prospects. The Scarlet Knights posted a winning record of 9-7 in 2012. At Virginia Tech, Murray helped lead the Hokies to their first winning season in 10 years in 2011 as she worked primarily with the defense, while also coordinating team travel, breaking down video and recruiting student-athletes. Murray implemented unified team strategies in practice, improving team and individual play as well as developing leadership and mental toughness within the team.


Through the years, she has also worked with a variety of high school lacrosse clubs since 2007 and has coached at various clinics and camps throughout the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York Metropolitan areas.


As a student-athlete at Princeton from 2006-09, Murray helped guide the Tigers to a 49-22 record, four straight NCAA Tournament berths with three NCAA quarterfinal appearances, and the 2006 Ivy League championship.


A Pittsburgh native, Murray earned a bachelor's degree in history from Princeton in 2009. She is working toward completing her Master’s degree in American Studies at Fairfield.

Tierney Larson

Tierney Larson is in her first year with the Columbia Lacrosse program as an Assistant Coach.


A native of Fairfield, Conn., Larson joins the Columbia Lacrosse coaching staff after spending the last two seasons (2020-21) as an assistant lacrosse coach at Marist. Among her many duties included serving as the Red Foxes’ offensive coordinator and goalie coach, organizing and executing practices, and working as the program’s recruiting coordinator.


“Tierney's experience at Marist and abroad has helped her to develop a unique approach to the offensive game,” Columbia Head Coach Anne Murray said. “She develops her units around the players on a team rather than molding the team to her specific style. It is a direct reflection of the dynamic player that she was in college and the seasoned coach she has become over her career. Her passion and heart are unmatched and everyone involved in this program will realize how contagious her energy is.”


Before her tenure at Marist, Larson worked as a coach for the Under-19 Czech Republic Team for two years (2017-19), assisted the Senior National Team (2016-17), and also played on the Czech National Team. As a coach, she helped lead the Czech Republic Team to a Silver Medal in the 2018 Under-20 Women's Lacrosse European Championship. A two-year player, Larson was the team’s co-captain and guided the Czechs to a fourth place finish at the 2019 European Championships.


A 2014 Marist graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Larson is currently working toward earning a Master of Public Administration degree from Marist. A First Team All-MAAC selection and team captain, Larson concluded her Marist lacrosse career as the one of the program's best passers of all time, previously holding the program record for assists in a single game with seven. She currently holds the program record for the most assists in a single season with 51 and is third-all time in career assists with 78.


"Words can't describe how truly excited and grateful I am for the opportunity to join the Columbia Lacrosse program,” Tierney said. “I'm honored to represent a distinguished and historic institution such as Columbia and to have the chance to help guide and grow a very bright and talented group of young women. I want to thank Coach Murray for her confidence in me and skillful leadership throughout this process. I look forward to the journey that lies ahead here in New York City. Go Lions!!"

Shannon Nee

Shannon Nee is in her first year with the Columbia Lacrosse program as an Assistant Coach.


Nee joins the Columbia Lacrosse coaching staff after serving the last five seasons (2016-21) at Kennesaw State as an assistant lacrosse coach. As part of her numerous duties, Nee guided the goalies and defense, while assisting the head coach in developing practice plans, scouting reports, skill development, film evaluation, and recruitment of future players. During her tenure, she coached the ASUN Player of the Year in 2019, co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, the 2018 ASUN Freshman of the Year, while five defenders and three midfielders earned ASUN All-Conference honors.


“Shannon's dominance and leadership on the field as a player comes out in her on-field presence as a coach,” Columbia Head Lacrosse Coach Anne Murray said. “Her strong voice and light personality have helped to create environments in which the players under her tutelage have thrived in becoming formidable units. Her dedication to the growth and cohesion of a team have left an indelible impact on the hearts of those around her, one which will push this team to do the same.”


A 2016 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Nee was a highly decorated goalkeeper. During her four-year career, she earned 2016 IWLCA All-America honors, four IWLCA All-Northeast Region First Team accolades, two Big East Goalie of the Year awards, four All-Big East team honors, and was an All-Big East Academic team member. She was also selected to tryout for the USA National Team.


Originally from Lancaster, Pa., Nee has worked with the X-treme lacrosse club and was a camp counselor for a variety of college programs.


"I would like to thank head coach Anne Murray for this incredible opportunity to join the Columbia University community,” Nee said. “I hope to grow for and with this program and staff as we get started on the vision ahead. It is an absolute privilege to be a Lion."

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