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University of Southern California

USC Athletics
Heritage Hall - 3501 Watt Way Los Angeles, CA 900897311
Division 1 California Southwest
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Lindsey Munday

One of the most accomplished collegiate women’s lacrosse players in the history of the sport, Lindsey Munday was handpicked to lead the first-ever USC women’s lacrosse team and was officially hired on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. She enters her 12th season (2024) as the head coach of the Women of Troy.


Munday’s accolades both as a player and as a coach earned her recognition as Lacrosse Magazine’s 2013 Person of the Year.


Munday is a two-time Pac-12 coach of the year winner (2019 and 2023) and is a two-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Coach of the Year (2015 and 2016). She was chosen as the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) West/Midwest Coach of the Year in 2016 and was honored by Inside Lacrosse (ILWomen) honored Munday as that season’s National Coach of the Year.


Through ten seasons, Munday holds a 139-58 (.706) overall record with a 76-18 (.808) mark in league games (MPSF 2013-17; Pac-12 2018-current).


Munday led the Trojans to their first Pac-12 championship in 2019 and their second title in 2023. As members of the MPSF for the league’s final five season, the Trojans advanced to the league tournament in every season under Munday. USC appeared in its first conference title game in 2015; and then won back-to-back MPSF regular-season and tournament championships in 2016 and 2017.


Munday led the Women of Troy to their first-ever berth in the NCAA tournament in 2015 where USC defeated James Madison in the first round. In 2016, USC became the first-ever team from the West Coast to host an NCAA tournament game. The Trojans received a first-round bye, defeated Stanford in the second round, and advanced further than any MPSF team had ever gone with a quarterfinal appearance against Syracuse. USC repeated its NCAA quarterfinal run in 2017 and advanced there to face Boston College before falling to the national runners-up. In 2019, the Trojans made their fourth appearance in the NCAA tournament. Following that, USC returned to the NCAA tournament in 2022, making its fifth appearance in the big dance. The Women of Troy earned the Pac-12's automatic berth to the NCAA tournament in 2023 for their sixth all-time appearance.


Her squads produced 29 All-MPSF selections including the 2013 MPSF Rookie of the Year (Amanda Johansen), the 2015 MPSF Player of the Year (Michaela Michael), and the 2016 MPSF Player of the Year (Courtney Tarleton). Kerrigan Miller was chosen as the MPSF Rookie of the Year in 2017. The Trojans also had 40 MPSF All-Academic award winners during their five seasons as part of the conference. Under Munday, Miller was named the Pac-12’s Midfielder of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Her squads continued to gain awards in 2022, as they earned both the Midfielder of the Year (Kelsey Huff) and Defensive Player of the Year (Olivia Dooley). In 2023, the squad had one of the most dominant showings during the award season, as USC earned the Midfielder of the Year (Claudia Shevitz), Defensive Player of the Year (Emma Wightman) and Co-Goalkeeper of the Year (Kait Devir) awards.Overall Munday’s squads have earned plenty of recognition in the Pac-12, as they have garnered 32 All-Pac-12 selections.


Trojans have had 34 IWLCA All-West Region choices (17 first team and 17 second team). In 2015, Michael became USC’s first-ever All-American (third team). The following year, she and Tarleton became the Trojans’ first-ever IWLCA first-team All-Americans. Michael completed her career as a three-time All-American. With Miller’s third-team selection in 2018 and second-team nod in 2019, she received the seventh and since then the Trojans have added to their totals with ten IWLCA All-American certificates by a Trojan under Munday.


In the team’s first year as a varsity sport, Munday’s Women of Troy finished with an 8-10 overall record. The Trojans surprised the MPSF with a 5-3 record for fourth place and received a berth in the league tournament where they fell to 11th-ranked regular-season champion Denver in the semifinals. Three Trojans received 2013 postseason honors including Johansen’s MPSF Rookie of the Year award. Johansen and Tarleton each took home all-conference first-team honors while Caroline de Lyra was chosen for second-team recognition.


In 2014, the Trojans (9-9 overall) finished with a 6-3 record in conference games and made their second appearance in the MPSF tournament. USC set a new program record with a four-game winning streak, and earned its first-ever win over a ranked opponent when the Trojans upset No. 13 Stanford, 11-10, on April 20, at the LA Memorial Coliseum.


In 2015, USC (14-6 overall) finished a then program-best second in the conference with an 8-1 record and set a new school record winning streak with seven games between February 22-March 28. All six of the Trojans’ losses were to top-20 opponents, but USC beat No. 19-ranked James Madison, 13-10, in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Durham, N.C.


Munday’s 2016 squad started the season ranked No. 19 and made a steady climb up the rankings as the Trojans broke MPSF records with 20 wins and an incredible 20-game winning streak. USC won both the regular-season and MPSF tournament championships; and the Women of Troy earned a second-consecutive bid to the NCAA tournament and received a first-round bye. The Trojans hosted first- and second-round games at the Coliseum to become the first-ever West Coast team to host an NCAA tournament game. USC’s appearance in the NCAA quarterfinal marked the furthest any MPSF had ever advanced and its No. 5 final ranking in the IWLCA poll was the highest ever for an MPSF team. Munday was named the MPSF and IWLCA West/Midwest Coach of the Year and Tarleton was chosen for MPSF Player of the Year honors.


2017 brought more success as USC finished ranked No. 8 in the final coaches poll following an 18-4 season. The Trojans advance to the program’s second-consecutive NCAA quarterfinal after USC went 8-0 in the MPSF’s final season and won back-to-back league regular-season and tournament titles. USC earned its third straight bid into the NCAA tournament and reached its highest ranking (No. 3) and produced the second-longest winning streak in school history (12).


Munday’s USC squad was part of history in 2018 as a new era of West Coast lacrosse was established with the inaugural season of Pac-12 play. The Trojans, having to replace over 200 goals due to graduation, finished the year with a 10-8 overall record but still advanced to the first-ever Pac-12 tournament’s semifinal round. Her squad returned to form in 2019 and went 9-1 in the Pac-12 to claim the regular-season championship and then won the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament by winning the Pac-12 Tournament. Munday continued to add to her trophy case as a coach in 2022 when she led the Women of Troy to a share of the Pac-12 regular-season championship with a 8-2 record in conference.


2023 brought a lot of success to the Women of Troy's program, as they secured both the regular season and conference title for the Pac-12. USC finished the season 9-1 in conference play and posted a 16-4 overall record. During that span the Trojans had one of the best defenses in all of the NCAA, as they ranked fifth in the country for scoring defense, and secured a record-breaking ten Pac-12 Defensive Players of the Week awards.


Munday’s mantle includes a pair of NCAA titles won as a player with the Northwestern program in 2005 and 2006. She then became an assistant at NU where she helped the Wildcats to another three titles from 2007-09.


As a player, Munday’s performance on the field landed her a spot on the 2009 U.S. women’s national team where she helped Team USA to the world title and earned All-World recognition as an attacker with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in just seven games. She was later selected to represent the U.S. again, on the 2012-14 roster and was named team captain for the 2013 FIL World Cup where she led Team USA to its record seventh world title. Munday also added nine goals and 15 assists to her international career totals in 2013 and was chosen to represent the U.S. again in 2014 as it begins preparations to defend its crown in 2017.


Just 26 years old when she was first chosen to head the Women of Troy, Munday came to USC after a fall stint as the head coach at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland.


Previously, Munday was the top assistant at her alma mater for four years (2007-10) where she served as the recruiting coordinator and offensive coach and helped with opponent scouting reports. Northwestern was 85-4 during her tenure and went 23-0 in 2009. The Wildcats won NCAA titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and advanced to the championship game in 2010. While at NU, Munday helped coach several All-Americans, including Tewaaraton Trophy winners Kristen Kjellman and Hannah Nielsen and Tewaaraton finalist Katrina Dowd.


Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Northwestern history, Munday was a Tewaaraton Trophy semifinalist herself in 2005 and 2006. She finished her four-year (2003-06) career as the program's all-time leader in assists (128), third in points (268), and fifth in goals (140). Munday also set single-season NU records for points (107) and assists (54) in 2005. The Wildcats were 64-12 during her career and won the school’s first-ever NCAA titles in the sport.


Munday’s prowess helped Northwestern become the first school outside of the Eastern Time zone to win the national title and the first program to win consecutive NCAA championships. She was a two-time first-team All-American (2005-06), All-Region, and All-American Lacrosse Conference selection and earned All-Region second team laurels in 2004. As a freshman and sophomore, Munday received ALC All-Conference second-team notice in 2003 and 2004. She made the NCAA All-Tournament team in 2005 and co-captained the Wildcats in 2006. In 2006, Munday won the Medal of Honor, given annually to a graduating male and female from each conference school for outstanding academic and athletic talent. She received her bachelor's degree in communications from Northwestern in 2006.


A three-sport star at Mountain Lakes (N.J.) High School, Munday earned prep All-America first-team honors in lacrosse in 2002 and was an All-State second team selection in basketball. She was also a three-time All-Conference first-team pick in soccer.


Munday’s sister Jen played lacrosse and basketball at College of New Jersey, and her brother Paul played lacrosse at Muhlenberg College. Born May 28, 1984, Munday resides in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

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Lauren Gunning

Lauren Gunning is entering her third season (2022-current) with the Women of Troy and her second season as an Associate Head Coach (2023-current), as she was promoted from an Assistant coach role July 22, 2022.


Gunning joined USC following seven seasons (2015-21) as an assistant coach for Connecticut where she played lacrosse as a student-athlete from 2008-11. She returned to her alma mater in the summer of 2014 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2021 after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Cincinnati (2012-14).


Gunning directed UConn’s offensive unit and helped the Huskies win 59 games during her time as an assistant coach. In both the 2016 and 2021 seasons, Connecticut reached a program-record 12 wins. In 2021, Gunning helped UConn earn a berth into the NCAA tournament for only the second time in program history and for the first time since 2013.


While on staff, Gunning groomed attacker Grace Nolan who graduated as UConn’s all-time leader in points and goals. Under her guidance, Nolan was named a third-team IWLCA All-American in 2018 and was a two-time Big East Attacker of the Year. Gunning’s efforts also helped Nolan achieve IWLCA All-Northeast Region first-team honors several times and the Big East Rookie of the Year award in 2015.


In 2015, her first season at UConn, Gunning helped lead the Huskies to the Big East Tournament final for the first time and a fourth straight double-digit wins season. She was honored with the Huskies staff as part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year. That season, four UConn players were named to the All-Big East first team while the Huskies finished in the national top 20 in caused turnovers, assists, and ground balls per game.


Prior to coaching at her alma mater, Gunning spent three years at Cincinnati (2012-14). There, she worked primarily with the Bearcats’ offensive unit and had a hand in the development of Cincinnati’s goalkeepers. Gunning was also part of the UC recruiting and scouting efforts and helped the Bearcats match a program record with seven wins in 2013.


Before she arrived at Cincinnati, Gunning started her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Iona in the fall of 2011 and worked directly with the attack unit. She has also served as a coach at several prominent camps throughout her career including Game On Lacrosse Camp at UConn, Duke Lacrosse Camp, and the Triple Threat Lacrosse Camp.


As a player at UConn, Gunning tallied 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) for the Huskies and was named to the Big East All-Academic Team in each of her four seasons at Connecticut. She served as a team captain in her senior season and produced a career-high seven goals to help the Huskies to a 9-7 overall record.


A native of Hunt Valley, Md., Gunning graduated from UConn with a bachelor's degree in sports management and completed her time at Connecticut with a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average and Dean's list honors.

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Jill Rizzo

USC lacrosse hired assistant coach, Jill Rizzo - assistant coach at Marquette - to its coaching staff, head coach Lindsey Munday announced Monday, July 8.


"We are thrilled to welcome Jill as our defensive coordinator. She has Big Ten experience as a player at Ohio State, which will aid us in our transition to the new conference. She has helped run the defensive and goalie units at Marquette and helped them make their first NCAA tournament berth. We are extremely excited for her to bring her knowledge and experience to USC."


As a part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023, Rizzo helped lead Marquette to its first NCAA tournament appearance. During that season, the Golden Eagles posted a program-best 15-4 record and a Big East record of 5-1.


Marquette ranked in the top 10 in the nation in draw controls (297) and draw controls per game (17.47) in 2024. The offense was top 25 in the country and first in the BIG EAST with over 32 shots per game, led by Meg Bireley (8.94 shots per game) and Leigh Steiner (7.12 shots per game), who were first and second in the conference.


Rizzo joined the Golden Eagle coaching staff in June of 2021. Before that, she posted an all-time career as Ohio State's goalie from 2016-21. Rizzo was a five-year starter (COVID year in 2020) in college and saved a program-record 777 shots, which is No. 1 among current NCAA women's lacrosse players. She tallied a .469 save percentage and won 28 games as a starter in Columbus. Her 203 career ground balls also put her at No. 2 all-time among NCAA players.


"I am so grateful for the opportunity provided by Lindsey and USC Athletics to join the women's lacrosse Trojan family! I can not wait get started with the team and compete in one of the most elite conferences in the country. Fight on!"

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Cassidy Spilis

USC lacrosse hired new assistant coach, Cassidy Spilis - an All-American for Rutgers University - to its coaching staff, head coach Lindsey Munday announced Monday, July 8.


"We are incredibly excited to welcome Cassidy to the Trojan Family, where she will work with the midfield and draw unit. Her experience in the Big Ten at Rutgers will be a tremendous help to our players and staff. She has playing experience at the highest level for Team USA as well as in the pro league. She will be a great asset to our players, and we are thrilled that she will be joining our staff."


Spilis is a three-time IWLCA All-American (2021-22, 24), including a first-team nomination in 2024. During her senior season, she posted 74 goals and five assists, picked up 40 ground balls, and had 98 draw controls.


Spilis concluded her collegiate career as Rutger's all-time leader in goals scored (266), points (281) and draw controls (313). In 2024, she finished ninth in the country for goals with 74 in 18 games played. Spilis is no stranger to an award list, as she is a four-time IWLCA All-Region, three-time USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American, and four-time Tewaaraton Award Watch List honoree. On the conference side, Spilis is a four-time All-Big Ten First Team member (2021-24), four-time All-Big Ten Tournament Team and was named the 2022 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.


In high school, Spilis was a two-time All-American, four-year varsity letter winner, and two-year captain at Seneca. She was one of the most prolific scorers in New Jersey, with 331 goals and 386 points in her career.


"I am thrilled to be joining the USC lacrosse family and to have the opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, Lindsey and the entire coaching staff. The Trojans are a strong program, and I am incredibly excited to be part of their new era as they join and flourish in the Big Ten. Fight on!"

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