Phillipian Sports: When did you start playing lacrosse? How were your first experiences with the sport? Kate Dolan: I started playing in college because our field hockey coach was also the lacrosse coach and she encouraged her kids to play both sports. At first, I was terrible – definitely the weakest link. Luckily, the team was very good and it was a lot of fun. PS: What was your college lacrosse experience at UNH like? KD: My teammates were outstanding – many of them are still some of my closest friends and on the field several of them played for U.S.A. teams at various levels. The coaches were also great – my coach for my last three years at UNH was a national player who played in three World Cups. She was unbelievably skilled and it was great to have two incredible coaches, for field hockey and lacrosse, with knowledge, passion, and the ability to motivate and inspire. Overall, playing lacrosse and field hockey at UNH with the teammates and coaches I had undoubtedly were the experiences that shaped my life the most and account for much of the reason of why I chose to coach. PS: What did it feel like to win the Division 1 National Championship in 1985? KD: We beat Maryland 6-5 at UPenn on May 19th and it was the best feeling – there’s nothing comparable. Back then only four teams made the NCAA tournament, and we were seeded #4. But our team’s heart beat Maryland’s talent…it was one of those rare moments when you can say winning is not overrated. PS: What are some of your favorite memories of PA Girls Lacrosse in your 18 years of coaching? KD: I love the practices because it is just the team playing and working together. No one is watching – everyone is just playing for each other and with each other. And over the course of every season, the best and often the funniest times happen in practice. One of my favorite practices, for example, is when at the end of the year we have our annual Final Four practice. We play “non lacrosse” games with each team dressing in their Final Four team’s colors, and the best dressed team wins a prize. PS: What are some of the strengths of this year’s lacrosse team? KD: Overall I’d have to say it’s the balance and depth of the team, the senior leadership, and everyone’s willingness to put the team first.
