Boston University

Boston, MA 02215

Massachusetts Northeast

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Lauren Morton

Former Boston University women's lacrosse All-American Lauren Morton (CAS '08) was named the fourth head coach of the program on June 15, 2018. She will enter her sixth season at the helm in 2024.

During Morton's tenure, BU has garnered 16 All-Patriot League selections, including seven First Team honorees. In the classroom, BU improved on its Patriot League Academic Honor Roll totals each year from 2019-21, including a program-record 27 for the 2020-21 academic year.

In 2023, Morton led BU to a notable 12-11 upset over No. 20 Navy which was the Terriers' first ranked win since 2014. The 2023 season also saw the Terriers start 5-0 and featured a postseason appearance in the Patriot League Quarterfinals at Navy. Standout Jennifer Barry was named to the All-PL First Team, the Academic All-PL Team and was named a draw specialist on the IWLCA Northeast Region Second Team. Claire Gola and Reilly Agres also received All-PL honors for the league's second team.

In 2022, Morton oversaw the development of Jennifer Barry, who went on to receive Inside Lacrosse Media All-American Third Team and IWLCA All-Region Second Team honors after setting the single-season program and Patriot League record with 156 draw controls, while also breaking the program record for career draw controls. Barry also earned a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League Team, while Lauren Kaye collected her first-career All-Patriot League Second Team accolade.

In an abbreviated 2021 season, Morton guided BU to a 3-2 Patriot League record to reach the Patriot League Tournament. Four Terriers collected All-Patriot League recognition, featuring Emily Vervlied's selection to the First Team in addition to her IWLCA All-Region Second Team honor.

In her first season at the helm of the Terriers in 2019, Morton guided BU to its best season since 2011 with an 11-7 record. Additionally, BU matched its best conference record since joining the Patriot League with a 6-3 mark. Under Morton's tutelage, Kailey Conry led the NCAA with 3.67 assists per game. Furthermore, Conry and Tonianne Magnelli earned IWLCA All-Northeast Region honors, while four Terriers were named to All-Patriot League postseason teams.

Morton, who was the associate head coach at Duke prior to taking the helm at BU, served as an assistant coach for the Terriers from 2010-12.

A 2008 IWLCA All-America midfielder, Morton served as a team captain her final two seasons at BU and helped the Terriers earn four straight America East tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the national quarterfinals twice. She was on the field for all three of the NCAA Tournament wins in program history and received IWLCA all-region honors as both a junior (second team) and a senior (first team).

Morton graduated as the program's all-time record holder in draw controls with 182 and accounted for 179 points, 160 goals, 144 ground balls and 92 caused turnovers throughout her career, all of which currently rank within the top-10 all-time in BU annals.

Morton has been on Duke's staff since 2014 and was the program's associate head coach the past two years. In her first season in Durham, she aided the Blue Devils' run to the NCAA semifinals as the offense produced 12.38 goals per game. In 2017, Duke earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time in program history while Olivia Jenner set the program's single-season draw control record (110).

During her tenure at Duke, Morton coached five All-Americans, 10 IWLCA All-South Region honorees and 11 All-ACC selections.

Morton began her collegiate coaching career within the Patriot League, as she served as an assistant coach at Lafayette from 2008-10 before returning to her alma mater as an assistant for the Terriers.

Over her two-year span on the sidelines in Boston, the Terriers captured the 2012 America East regular-season title and went 10-2 in conference play. Additionally, she coached three IWLCA All-Northeast Region honorees and one All-American in Danielle Etrasco.

The Glenside, Pennsylvania, native also spent two seasons as an assistant at Georgetown from 2012-14. While she was in the nation's capital, the Hoyas compiled a 24-15 record and made back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round in 2014. Morton oversaw two All-America and 11 All-Big East selections and directed an offense that averaged 12.00 goals per game in that time.

Morton graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2008 with a degree in psychology. As a senior, she was selected the recipient of the Aldo "Buff" Donelli Leadership Award, presented to a senior who demonstrated outstanding leadership both on and off the field, as well as the John B. Simpson Award, given to both a male and female senior who demonstrates enthusiasm and leadership.

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Shay Clevenger

Shay Clevenger enters her second season as an assistant coach for the Terriers in 2024.

Clevenger, a recent graduate from Loyola, made her collegiate coaching debut with the Terriers in 2023.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shay to the program,” said Morton. “Shay brings incredible on-field and leadership experience from her time at Loyola. Shay understands and aligns with our vision and values, and we are excited for her to get started. She has succeeded at the highest level in the Patriot League and we look forward to her making an impact on our program.”

As a senior, Clevenger was named to the Patriot League All-Conference first-team. She was second on the Loyola squad in caused turnovers (13) and ground balls (25) and took the conference Defender of the Week title in the final week of the regular season.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Boston University women’s lacrosse staff,” said Clevenger. “I am grateful to be able to join the BU lacrosse program and the BU family.”

The team captain played a significant role in keeping Loyola nationally ranked in the top-10 for the entirety of the 2022 season, peaking at No. 6 ahead of the NCAA Tournament. Clevenger and the Greyhounds advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals with wins over Mount St. Mary’s and JMU.

“I am extremely excited for Shay to join the coaching staff at Boston University,” said Loyola women’s lacrosse head coach Jen Adams. “Shay was an incredible captain, leader and teammate throughout her playing years at Loyola and I have no doubt that it will translate into her coaching at the next level. Shay knows what it takes to be a successful student-athlete in the Patriot League and I am looking forward to seeing the positive mark that she will make on the Boston University Women’s Lacrosse program this season.”

Clevenger assisted the Greyhounds to two Patriot League titles in her tenure in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The 2022 title marked Loyola’s sixth conference title in eight years.

She also helped Loyola to its eighth-straight regular season Patriot League title in 2022, recording five ground balls in the deciding game. The Greyhounds went 9-0 in the conference last season.

Clevenger graduated from Loyola in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

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Ryan Polley

Ryan Polley was named the inaugural head men's lacrosse coach at Boston University on June 21, 2012, and the program has continued to reach new heights in his 10 seasons at the helm.

In 2023, the Terriers repeated as Patriot League regular-season champions, with seven Terriers claiming All-Patriot League honors. Nationally, senior LSM Roy Meyer became the first two-time First Team All-American in program history while classmate Vince D'Alto also earned All-America status for a second straight season. As a team, BU ranked in the top 10 nationally in six different categories, including first in both man-up offense and caused turnovers per game. BU was also second in assists per game and opponent clear percentage, seventh in ground balls per game and ninth in winning percentage after boasting a 10-4 record.

During Polley's tenure at BU, seven Terriers have earned All-America accolades, including two-time First Team All-American Roy Meyer. Polley has coached 32 All-Patriot League selections, six Major League Lacrosse draft picks, three Premier Lacrosse League draft choices and a pair of National Lacrosse League draftees. In addition, eight of his players have earned USILA Scholar All-America accolades and he has mentored 11 Academic All-Patriot League choices.

Polley led the Terriers to their first-ever Patriot League regular-season and tournament titles during a historic 2022 season, culminating in the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament. BU went 7-1 in league play during the regular season and earned the right to host the league's championship weekend for the first time, winning the conference tournament in front of a great crowd at Nickerson Field. Polley earned his second Patriot League Coach of the Year award and was named the New England Division I Coach of the Year for the third time in six seasons.

In 2022, three Terriers - junior Vince D'Alto, senior Matt Garber and junior Roy Meyer - were named All-Americans, with Meyer becoming the program's second-ever First Team All-American. Garber, along with seniors Matt Hilburn and Timmy Ley, earned USILA Scholar All-America accolades, while the Terriers boasted seven All-Patriot League selections, including a program-record five first team honorees. BU led the nation in caused turnovers per game for the second time in the last four seasons and also ranked third on the ride and fifth in ground balls per game. The Terriers also had a top-20 scoring defense and boasted the highest scoring attack trio in the nation.

In 2021, Polley guided the Terriers to a fourth consecutive Patriot League Tournament berth, as BU hosted a quarterfinal game for the third time in four playoff appearances. Two BU players - sophomore Vince D'Alto and freshman Christian Quadrino - were named to the All-Patriot League Second Team. He also coached the third-best riding team in the country, as BU held opponents to a 79.5% success rate on clears in 2021. Additionally, the Terriers were once again one of the best in the NCAA at forcing turnovers. They were ninth in the nation with an average of 9.27 caused turnovers per game, with sophomore Roy Meyer ranking third individually at 2.36 caused turnovers per game.

Despite the 2020 season ending earlier than anticipated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Polley had the Terriers trending in the right direction as the calendar shifted to March. BU finished February with a 3-1 record in its last four games, including a thrilling 13-12 comeback win at Colgate in the Terriers' lone Patriot League contest of the season.

For the fourth straight year, Polley coached an Inside Lacrosse All-American, as LSM Reece Eddy earned honorable mention accolades. Eddy tied for second in the country in caused turnovers per game (2.67) and tied for third in the NCAA with 16 caused turnovers. He also averaged 5.17 ground balls per game, which ranked second among NCAA defenders.

Polley was named New England Division I Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons thanks to a successful 2019 campaign. BU advanced to the Patriot League semifinals for the third consecutive year and hosted a postseason contest for the second time thanks to a 5-3 league record. He guided the Terriers to an 11-6 record, which was their second double-digit win total in three seasons. Among the 11 wins was an 18-11 triumph over No. 2 Loyola Maryland, which marked the first top-five victory for the Terriers in program history. Polley coached a top-20 defense (10.06 gapg) and a top-20 offense (12.59 gpg) in the country. The Terriers also led the nation in caused turnovers per game (11.71), were fifth in the NCAA in ground balls per game (38.06) and sixth in the country in opponents clearing percentage (.748).

A program-record four Terriers earned First Team All-Patriot League honors under Polley's guidance in 2019, including the program's first-ever Tewaaraton Award nominee, Chris Gray. Gray and senior James Burr were the highest-scoring duo in NCAA men's lacrosse at the end of the conference tournament play with an impressive 183 points between the two of them.

In 2018, Polley led the Terriers to their second straight Patriot League semifinal appearance. To get there, Polley guided BU to the program's first-ever victory over a top-10 opponent with a thrilling 12-11 victory at No. 10 Bucknell in the Patriot League quarterfinals. The Terriers also earned their first-ever preseason ranking in a national poll prior to the 2018 campaign.

For the second straight season, Polley coached a player to All-America accolades. Gray, the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, was both a USILA and an Inside Lacrosse All-American in 2018, setting single-season program records in both assists (40) and points (71). Polley also mentored Gray and senior Jack Wilson to All-Patriot League honors.

Polley was named the 2017 Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading the Terriers to their first-ever Patriot League tournament berth. Under Polley's guidance, the Terriers finished the conference schedule with a 5-3 record and concluded the regular season with a 12-5 mark, setting program records for most wins and fewest losses in a season. BU finished the regular season with a top-15 defense nationally and was ranked or received votes in at least one major national poll each week, rising as high as 15th in the Inside Lacrosse media poll. Polley was also recognized as the New England Division I Coach of the Year.

Polley coached six different players to All-Patriot League honors, including three first-team selections. Christian Carson-Banister was the league's Goalkeeper of the Year and he joined Cal Dearth as unanimous first-team choices. Dominick Calisto was a first-team defender while Greg Wozniak (LSM), Wilson (A) and Brendan Homire (M) all earned second-team recognition.

The Terriers won a program-record eight games in 2016 and posted their first-ever winning season at 8-7. BU bested its highest-ranked opponent to date, defeating then-No. 14/15 Harvard on the road, 9-8. The Terriers also knocked off then-No. 16 Navy, 10-9, in a thrilling double-overtime victory at Nickerson Field. Polley's squad received its highest-ever national ranking, reaching as high as No. 16 in both the USILA Coaches' Poll and the Cascade/Maverik Inside Lacrosse media poll.

2016 also saw the Terriers haul in several year-end honors. Sam Talkow was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Year, and he also joined Dearth on the All-Patriot League First Team. In addition, Greg Wozniak was a Second Team All-Patriot League selection. Under Polley's guidance, BU ranked third in the nation in caused turnovers per game (8.80), fifth in the NCAA in ground balls per game (32.47) and sixth in the country in faceoff percentage (.621).

BU enjoyed national recognition under Polley's guidance in 2015, improving to 6-8 overall after a 2-12 inaugural season. They received their first national ranking on March 23, 2015, slotting at No. 19 in the Cascade/Maverik Inside Lacrosse media poll. They also defeated then-No. 18 Colgate, the eventual Patriot League champion, by an 18-11 score on March 21 for the program's first win against a ranked squad.

The turnaround from the first year to the second year was extraordinary. In 2015, the Terrier offense ranked 23rd in the NCAA with an average of 10.71 goals per game, a marked improvement from the previous year in which BU was 61st (7.21). The Terriers also ranked sixth in the country and first in the Patriot League in team faceoff percentage (.637) in 2015. In addition, Polley led BU to a 6-2 record in its first eight games of 2015, including a four-game win streak.

Polley had previously spent six seasons (2006-12) as an assistant coach at Yale University, heading up the defense for the final four. In 2012, he helped the Bulldogs claim the Ivy League tournament title with convincing wins over perennial powers Cornell and Princeton, earning the program's first NCAA bid since 1992 in the process. Yale finished the year ranked 11th in the final USILA Division I poll.

Prior to his time at Yale, Polley was the head coach at Merrimack College - his alma mater - for three seasons (2004-06). He capped his tenure with the Warriors by being named the New England Division II Coach of the Year for the second time in three years after his squad finished with a record of 11-5 and a national ranking of eighth at season's end.

Once Polley took over the reins of the Yale defense, the results were remarkable. The Bulldogs recorded three straight 10-win seasons, beginning with a 2010 campaign that saw them earn a share of the Ivy title for the first time since 1990 and become the top-ranked team in New England. Five players received All-Ivy recognition this past season with three earning All-America honors as the Bulldogs strung together their longest win streak in over two decades.

Under Polley's charge, the 2011 Yale squad ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (7.57) and third in caused turnovers (10.2) a year after being ranked 10th and sixth, respectively, in those categories.

As one of the youngest head coaches in the country, Polley guided Merrimack to back-to-back top-10 finishes in Division II (2005, 2006) while having his players sweep the New England player and rookie of the year awards in both of those seasons. His defense ranked fifth in the country in 2005 while his offense averaged 13.3 goals per game in 2006, good for eighth nationally. He also produced a pair of All-Americans, including the 2006 NCAA all-divisions point leader.

Prior to taking over the Merrimack post, Polley was the first-ever head coach for the girls' lacrosse program at Andover High School. His 2003 team went undefeated in the regular season and he compiled a record of 44-12-3 over the course of three seasons.

An All-American and a two-time All-Northeast-10 selection at Merrimack, Polley was a three-sport athlete for the Warriors, as he also played football and basketball in North Andover before focusing on lacrosse. He served as captain of the lacrosse team for three seasons and was a two-year captain in football as the squad's starting quarterback. A native of Downingtown, Pa., Polley attended Malvern Prep and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Polley graduated magna cum laude from Merrimack in 1999 with a bachelor's in business administration.

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Mike Silipo

Mike Silipo, who completed his seventh season as the Terriers' offensive coordinator in 2023, was elevated to associate head coach on July 1, 2019. He also serves as the program's recruiting coordinator.

In 2023, the Terriers were once again one of the top offensive teams in the nation. Silipo helped guide the Terriers to the top man-up percentage in the NCAA, converting on 58.3% of their EMOs. The Terriers also averaged 9.0 assists per game, which ranked second in the country and first in the Patriot League. Overall, the BU offense averaged 13.79 goals per game, which was tops in the conference and 16th in the nation. It marked the seventh straight season that the Terriers averaged over 10 goals per contest, doing so over the entirety of Silipo's tenure.

For the fourth year at BU, Silipo mentored an All-American, as senior Vince D'Alto received All-America accolades for the second straight season during his impressive 2023 campaign. Silipo coached five All-Patriot League honorees, including first-team selections D'Alto and senior Louis Perfetto. In addition, midfielders Tommy Bourque and Thomas Niedringhaus earned All-League for the first time, joining Timmy Ley on the All-PL Second Team.

BU boasted one of the most feared offensive units in the country during the Terriers' historic 2022 season. Silipo coached the highest scoring attack trio in the country, as junior Vince D'Alto, senior Timmy Ley and junior Louis Perfetto combined for 214 points (118 goals, 96 assists). Each member of that trio set career highs in goals, assists and points, with D'Alto earning All-America accolades in the process. Ley and D'Alto were All-Patriot League honorees while Perfetto was named Patriot League Tournament MVP.

BU averaged a program-record 13.29 goals per game in 2022, marking the sixth straight season that the Terriers averaged over 10 goals per contest. They were also 14th in the nation in assists per game (8.18).

The Terriers scored at a rate of 11.82 goals per game in 2021, marking the fifth straight season that BU averaged over 10 goals per game. Sophomore Vince D'Alto and freshman Christian Quadrino shined this past season, both earning Second Team All-Patriot League distinction. The Terriers' primary starting attack unit of D'Alto, sophomore Louis Perfetto and junior Timmy Ley - combined for 68 goals and 43 assists, with Ley scoring 27 goals in just seven contests.

In 2020, Silipo guided a young offense to a strong, albeit shortened, season. Two rookies - D'Alto and Perfetto - started all six games of the shortened season at attack and shined, with D'Alto leading the team in goals (14) and points (21) while Perfetto dished out a team-high eight assists. Over the final four games, the Terriers averaged 13.25 goals per game en route to a 3-1 record.

Silipo orchestrated one of the top offensive units not only in the Patriot League but in the entire NCAA in 2019. BU averaged 12.59 goals per game in 2019, which ranked second in the conference and 19th in the nation. The Terriers also finished the year ninth in the country and second in the Patriot League with a program-record 8.53 assists per game. Since Silipo arrived on Commonwealth Ave., the Terriers have shared the ball effectively, ranking among the top 20 teams in the NCAA in assists per game in three of his five seasons at BU.

In addition to the success of his 6-on-6 offense, Silipo has built one of the best man-up units in the country. The Terriers were first in the Patriot League and 10th in the NCAA in man-up offense during the 2021 season. This comes after the Terriers finished first in the conference and 11th in the country with a man advantage in 2019. In 2018, BU boasted the third-ranked man-up offense in the country.

His attackers have earned three All-America accolades and 10 All-Patriot League selections since 2017, including the program’s first-ever First Team All-American in 2019. James Burr excelled under Silipo’s guidance and graduated this year as the team’s all-time leader in goals (153) and points (194).

A testament to Silipo’s impact on the Terrier offense is the fact that not only did four returning players post career years in 2019, but several freshmen had terrific debut seasons at either attack or midfield. Ley set a program record for goals by a rookie with 34 while Jake Cates (15g, 8a), Matt Hilburn (7g, 4a) and Jett Dziama (8g, 2a) all reached double digits in points in their first year at BU.

In 2018, Silipo coached a Terrier offense that averaged over 10 goals per game for the second straight year. Two of his attackers, freshman Chris Gray and senior Jack Wilson, earned All-Patriot League honors, with Gray also being named the league's Rookie of the Year. Gray, who set single-season program records with 40 assists and 71 points, was a 2018 USILA and Inside Lacrosse All-American, marking the second straight year a Terrier attackman has earned All-America accolades during Silipo's tenure.

The Terrier offense finished second in the Patriot League and was among the top 30 in the country at 10.76 goals per game during Silipo's debut season in 2017. Not only did the Terriers find the back of the net often but they were one of the most efficient teams in the NCAA, boasting the top shot percentage in the Patriot League at 31.6 percent, which was 15th-best in the country. BU also finished 18th in the nation and second in the conference with an average of 6.59 assists per game.

Silipo joined the Terriers after spending the last three seasons as an assistant at Ithaca College, his alma mater. There, he served as defensive coordinator and helped guide the Bombers to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the quarterfinals last year.

In addition to his defensive responsibilities, Silipo was instrumental in improving Ithaca’s offense over his tenure there. The Bombers ranked 76th in the country in scoring offense prior to his arrival, but finished last season with an average of 16.91 goals per game, good for third in the NCAA.

Under Silipo’s tutelage, Ithaca also held opponents to just 6.82 goals per game last season to help the Bombers finish with the nation’s best scoring margin at 10.09 goals per game. Ithaca was the No. 1 team in the country in both polls for a three-week period and finished with a program-record 20 wins, including a victory at then-No. 2 RIT.

Prior to his stint at Ithaca, Silipo coached for two seasons at Williams College. He spent the first of his two campaigns at Williams as the defensive coordinator before shifting roles and leading the offense the following year. In 2013, he also took over duties as the program’s recruiting coordinator, film coordinator and faceoff coach. Silipo was also the football team’s running backs coach during his tenure at Williams.

A midfielder and senior captain for the Bombers, Silipo helped Ithaca to a record of 48-23 from 2008-11. The Bombers competed in the Empire 8 Championship Tournament each of his four years and twice played for the conference crown. Ithaca won the title in 2008 and advanced to the NCAA semifinals.

Silipo played in 69 games for the Bombers scoring 47 goals and adding 15 assists for 62 points. He tallied 120 ground balls and forced 53 turnovers during his career and was a second-team All-Empire 8 selection as a senior.