Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University Dept of Athletics
William H. Pitt Center 5151 Park Avenue Fairfield, CT 06432

Division 1 Connecticut Northeast

Private Medium Competitive team

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Coaches

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Laura Korutz

Laura Korutz - Head Coach - 24th Season - 184-203 Career Record

Coach Korutz has built the Sacred Heart women’s lacrosse program into one of the top-teams year in and year out in the Northeast Conference. Korutz is entering her 24th year on the Pioneer sidelines and has guided Sacred Heart to three Northeast Conference Championships. Having directed her teams to 184 wins at SHU, Korutz continues to have the Pioneers positioned as a perennial contender in the NEC heading into 2023.

The Media, Pennsylvania native came to Sacred Heart after a standout playing career at the University of Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1999 with a degree in exercise science. She was a four-year starter at UMass and ranks among the program’s top ten in scoring, goals and assists.

During her senior season, she was named co-captain and was a preseason All-Atlantic 10 selection. She was also named to the 1999 A-10 Championship tournament team, 1999 Northeast Regional All-American and placed on the 1999 IWLCA Academic All-American team.

Korutz, along with her son Cole, reside in Fairfield.

Korutz has guided the Pioneers to seven double digit win seasons (2023, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001), and 13 NEC Tournament appearances in her tenure, with the most-recent appearance coming in 2023

SHU won three consecutive NEC women's lacrosse championships under Korutz in 2008-23. The Pioneers also won or shared the regular season title in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2023

Korutz has been named NEC Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2009, 2010, 2023)

The Pioneers went undefeated in NEC play in 2010 and 2023 while on its way to winning the regular season and tournament championship

Has had over 52 All-NEC selections and three NEC Player of the Years (Amanda Williams - 2009, Carissa Hauser - 2010, Lydia Werlau - 2023)

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Ally Mervine

Mervine begins her first season in 2023-24 as the assistant coach for the Sacred Heart women's lacrosse team.

She was a three-year member of the women's lacrosse team and was a two-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection and a two-time MAAC Academic Honor Roll member. She was also named to the 2021 IWLCA All-Academic Honor Roll. She concluded her time with the Saints with an overall record of 22-13, 270 saves (.413 sv%), and a 12.22 goals-against average.

Prior to her three-stint at Siena, Mervine played two years as a goalkeeper at the University of Oregon. During her time, she made five appearances in net and recorded a total of six saves, including a single-game high three saves at East Carolina.

Mervine is a graduate from Siena College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

518 eXcelerate Lacrosse Coach

Coach for both middle and high-school level girl’s lacrosse teams at summer club tournaments, specializing in defense/goalies

Ultimate Lacrosse Positional Coach

Plans and executes individual and small/group training session for all goalies (middle school and high school level)

Independent Goalie Coaching

Schedules and executes one-on-one training sessions, ranging in age and skill level from beginner/youth goalies to experienced high-school players

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Dana Spires

Dana Spires enters her third season as an assistant coach for the SHU women's lacrosse team. Spires brings experience at the Division I level as a student-athlete.

Along with serving as the defensive coordinator, Spires' coaching duties will also include practice planning, coordinating travel and social media.

Spires comes to Sacred Heart after serving two years as a graduate assistant at Saint Francis. She served as an academic advisor for student-athlete development & academic services for one year before moving to the title of athletic administration assistant.

Prior to Saint Francis, Spires played lacrosse for Monmouth. She played in 15 games while making one start for the Hawks. While at Monmouth, she served as an assistant for the athletics communications & digital media office.

The Medford, N.J. native earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in psychology from Monmouth (2019) and a Master's in Education and Leadership Specialization from Saint Francis (2021).