Sonia LaMonica Ushering in New Era at UVA While Respecting the Past

Sonia LaMonica remembers Virginia in its heyday. She played against those Cavaliers teams as a player at Maryland, a former ACC member, from 2000-03. LaMonica won two national titles and three ACC championships as a Terp, graduating the year before Virginia’s national championship run in 2004.

“Virginia was always a top competitor,” LaMonica said. “We had so many battles in my college days. I knew very early on in my career that Virginia was a powerhouse program and had everything that a student-athlete might look for in an amazing collegiate experience.”

One woman helmed the sidelines as UVA’s head coach during that stretch: Julie Myers. Myers remained the head coach at Virginia when LaMonica took her first head coaching job at Mount St. Mary’s in 2010 and the following year when LaMonica took over at Towson, a post she held for 13 seasons.

When Myers stepped down after 28 seasons as UVA’s head coach on June 21, even LaMonica was taken by surprise. But she was immediately intrigued. That interest meant toying with a place she had no plans of leaving on May 6, when Towson bowed out in the CAA title game to conference newcomer Stony Brook.

“I poured my heart and soul into my career at Towson,” said LaMonica, who led the Tigers to seven NCAA tournament appearances. “It’s been a great labor of love building that program. It shaped me as a coach, learning how to overcome challenges and learning how to compete against nationally prominent programs.”

But when Virginia expressed mutual interest, LaMonica didn’t think twice about looking into the job.

“It’s the University of Virginia,” LaMonica said. “It’s a no-brainer.”

LaMonica accepted the job on July 5, becoming the fourth head coach in Cavaliers history. Her first conversation was with the program’s third head coach.

“I have the utmost respect for Julie,” LaMonica said. “She has done such an amazing job. I feel honored to step into this role and continue to build on what she has done. She has cultivated an amazing family atmosphere and connections with her student-athletes. She intends to be supportive and continue to be around the program, which I think is an amazing asset. I hope to continue to build on that relationship.”

How many Cavs players plan to return for the 2024 season remains unclear. Leading scorer Rachel Clark (63 goals) entered the transfer portal and will reportedly play at Boston College next season. After concluding her fifth year as UVA’s second-leading goal scorer, Ashlyn McGovern (63 goals) has turned her tassel. Morgan Schwab (20 G, 49 A) and starting goalie Ashley Vernon (12.67 GAA, .374 SV%) are currently part of the 2023-24 roster.

LaMonica declined to discuss players’ status, saying it was still too early, but she has spoken with many of her veteran players and incoming freshmen.

“We’re still working through so many working parts,” LaMonica said. “I connected with many of the players on the team and the newcomers that will be entering. I can feel their excitement and eagerness to get back this fall, and they’re driven to go the distance. They are excited about building upon a season that didn’t end the way they wanted or expected, regardless of the coaching change.”

LaMonica is referring in part to a season-ending loss to Albany in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Cavs led the America East champion 10-3 with under 14 minutes left in the third quarter and lost 16-14. That game is over — 2024 marks a fresh start for everyone.

“The veterans have lots of experience that we will likely continue to build on, but by the same token, no one should feel totally safe,” LaMonica said. “That’s where it is exciting. Everyone can feel like it is a clean slate and an opportunity, and I think that is where you can see the best out of your athletes. It’s a fresh set of eyes.”

There will also be a fresh set of eyes on the recruiting trail. LaMonica knows she’ll be looking for a slightly different athlete to get the Cavs to a prominent position in the ACC than when she was recruiting to compete in the CAA. But core characteristics remain.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that it’s about recruiting great people,” LaMonica said. “We are a people business. Talent matters, but culture wins. Your culture is created by great people who come from great families. That is something I worked hard to build at Towson. That doesn’t change.”

Still, talent is important. The ACC is one of the two most competitive conferences in the country, along with the Big Ten, and Virginia has struggled to break into a top tier that currently consists of Syracuse, North Carolina and Boston College. The Cavs last earned a regular-season crown in 2010 and haven’t claimed a tournament title since winning three straight from 2006-08.

“It’s imperative that we are competing for the top talent in the country to be able to compete in the gauntlet in the ACC,” LaMonica said. “Fierce athletes who are resilient and gritty and hard-working are certainly top of mind as I am evaluating and learning about these athletes through high school and club coaches. I’m looking at student-athletes who are willing to put in the work but also have strong lacrosse IQs, great awareness, and, of course, have a team-first mentality to be successful.”

That success won’t just be built on the recruiting trail or through winning games. LaMonica expects games to be won when no one is watching.

“I am looking forward to building upon the hard-working mentality off the field — I’m talking in the weight room, at practice, through conditioning sessions,” LaMonica said. “The gameday is the byproduct.”

Championships are, too.

“I am process-driven,” LaMonica said. “Getting better each and every day and the championships will be a byproduct of that hard work. I am coming to Virginia because of the amazing assets that are there, but I want to compete for championships, national championships and ACC, and in my mind, there is no better place than the University of Virginia.”