Southern Zone Coaches Credo
Southern Zone Coaches Are:
Tough, but fun
Strict, but fair
Instill a deep love for the game
Always remember it IS a GAME!
Strong women role models for our players
Honor The Game
Southern Zone Executive Director – Clare Boothe
clare.boothe@sozolax.com
Clare was born and raised in Setauket, NY, (Long Island), where lacrosse is king (or should that be queen?)! She was around lacrosse and played it throughout her childhood, notably at Ward Melville High School, a perennial state champion in lacrosse. She’ll be the first to tell you that she played with a wooden stick, when the only lines on the field were the goal circle and the draw circle, and girls wore no protective equipment…she’s an old-timer in the game!
Clare moved to Atlanta in 1987, and was a little dismayed (but not surprised!) that there was no lacrosse here! She started coaching small instructional clinics in the Johns Creek area in 2006 and 2007, when the game was still in its infancy here. In 2008, after seeing that there were very few coaches in the area who understood and had played lacrosse, she signed up to coach her daughter’s U11 team at Newtown Park. That started a chain of coaching and lacrosse administrator roles. Clare started up the Johns Creek Jr. Gladiator program in 2009, where she remained as head coach and administrator for 5 years. Concurrently, she got the Georgia Outlaw middle school program started in the summer of 2012, coached the Johns Creek High School Varsity team in 2013, and started up the LB3 Atlanta Girls Lacrosse program with Karen Healy-Silcott in the fall of 2012. She remained with that program as coach and Administrative Director for Atlanta until August of 2015, when she started up Southern Zone Lacrosse.
Clare and her husband Dave live in Alpharetta, and have two kids, Roman and Ana. Both have played lacrosse since their childhood. Ana graduated from Presbyterian College in South Carolina in May 2022, after 5 years of playing Division 1 lacrosse. Ana coached for SoZo for many years and she now lives and works in Tallahassee, FL. Roman graduated college in May 2021, after playing lacrosse for four years at the perennial D2 powerhouse, Adelphi University on Long Island. He currently lives and works in New York City, and is staying involved in the game, playing in leagues and coaching youth lacrosse on Long Island.
Clare’s passion is teaching this great game, instilling the love of lacrosse in our SoZo girls and helping mentor and guide our players to become leaders and amazing people!
Director–High School Teams – Tracy Morgan
trainforthegame@gmail.com
Tracy Morgan, a native of Upstate NY, has been coaching the components of improved sports performance for more than 20 years. Best known as a speed and agility coach, Tracy began her coaching career at college programs that include San Diego State University, University of California San Diego and the University of Washington before moving on to help launch the IMG Academy. Since starting her own business in 2001, Tracy has helped hundreds of Professional, Collegiate and developing athletes in the Atlanta area improve their on-field performance in lacrosse, tennis and football.
In addition to training athletes in the area of speed and agility, Tracy currently serves as Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Fellowship Christian School.
Tracy’s love for lacrosse and all of its footwork and speed components, came several years ago when her daughters Morgan and Kacy, then 5 and 8 years old, picked up their first stick. Tracy is excited to continue to lead Team 2024 and train all of the athletes in SoZo!
Director–Middle School & Youth Teams – Julie Noyes LaFramboise
coachjulie2022@gmail.com
Julie was surrounded by lacrosse growing up in Philadelphia while her father (Jim, an All American at Amherst College) coached the men’s game at Swarthmore College- she was the ball girl! She attended Strath Haven High School following in the footsteps of her two older sisters (Kelley- Amherst College, Jillian- Randolph Macon, Ashland).
Julie played at Princeton University her freshman year, playing in the NCAA finals. She then transferred to Swarthmore College and played for Karen Borbee. While at Swarthmore she broke several of Coach Borbee’s scoring records. Julie was a two time National All American (1994, 1995) and the Centennial Conference Player of the Year in 1995. After coaching lacrosse in Scotland and then for one season as an assistant at Swarthmore, Julie moved to Atlanta in 1996. She then coached and played for the Atlanta Women’s Lacrosse Club while she also officiated, was VP of the GA US Lacrosse Foundation and met her husband, Tim. She was amazed that there were NO high school teams in Georgia, so in 1998 Julie helped start the Roswell Girls Lacrosse Club and then in 1999 she started the North Springs Girls Lacrosse Club. She was amongst the men and women who fought for our sport to achieve Varsity status within the GHSA. After 8 years she moved to the Wesleyan School where she spent two years. She has two children, Jamie and Audrey which kept her very busy and therefore she “retired” in 2009. A call came in 2011 that Holy Innocents’ needed a coach, so Julie headed up their program for the next six seasons. She is now an Assistant Coach at The Wesleyan School and the Kindergym Teacher at Dunwoody United Methodist Preschool. In 2005 Julie was inducted as one of the first members of the GA Lacrosse Hall of Fame and in 2013 she was inducted into the Swarthmore College Athletic Hall of Fame. She enjoys sailing, reading and most of all watching her kids play sports while hanging out with her husband and dogs, Brooklin and Camden.
Performance Mindset Coach – Liz Vola
elizabeth.vola@gmail.com
Liz is new to the SoZo program, but not new to lacrosse! She grew up in Garden City, NY and has played and been around lacrosse her whole life, as well as coaching at the high school JV level in Long Island, and several years with the Walton Jr Lax program.
Liz lives in Marietta-East Cobb with her husband Tim, daughter Libby/8th grade (also playing on the SoZo 2027 White team) and son Rory/5th grade, who both attend Queen of Angels.
She looks forward to coaching your daughters and ensuring they have an enjoyable experience, but also continue to improve on the LAX fundamentals to get them to the next level.
Team 2025 – Katie Brenan
kbrenan@comcast.net
Coach Katie grew up in Chatham, NJ and was involved in sports her entire life. A competitive swimmer as a younger athlete, Katie learned and fell in love with the games of field hockey and lacrosse when she got to Chatham Twp. High School as a 9th grader. Katie went on to play D1 field hockey and lacrosse at Lafayette College in Easton, PA from 1986-1990.
Katie and her husband moved to Atlanta in 1997 and started their family shortly thereafter. Her two young daughters drew Katie back to the game of lacrosse where she found herself coaching her oldest daughter’s youth team in 2009.
Katie’s love of sharing the game and belief in the value of athletics and team sports for young women has kept her involved in middle school and high school lacrosse as a coach and administrator for the last 11 years. Katie has spent her time in the Northview and Pinecrest Academy lacrosse “systems” where her daughters have played.
Katie lives in Suwanee with her husband, Kevin, daughter Maggie, a graduate of UNC @ Chapel Hill and Casey, who attends Notre Dame University.
She is thrilled to be a part of the SoZo team and is looking forward to a strong summer season!
Team 2025 – Megan Toner
meganmtoner@gmail.com
Megan graduated from Tufts University in 2019 where she played lacrosse for 4 years. She played midfield and defense for the Jumbos and helped them to the NCAA Division 3 Final Four in 2019. Megan is from Roswell, GA and attended Roswell High School. She was an Academic All American as well as All American Honorable Mention. In her senior year, she was a captain of both the basketball and lacrosse teams. At Tufts, she majored in mechanical engineering and is now working for an engineering firm in Norcross. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outside. This is Megan’s fourth season with SoZo and she is excited to continue coaching Team 2025!
Team 2026 – Imani Hedgeman
Ihedgeman0@gmail.com
Imani graduated from the University at Albany, where she played Division 1 lacrosse for 4 years as a defender for the Great Danes, specializing in 1v1 matchups. She majored in Informatics and now leverages her expertise in data at a prominent multinational corporation within the snacking and food industry. Before university, Imani attended McIntosh High School. Outside of lacrosse, she enjoys traveling, watching sports/YouTube, and listening to finance podcasts.
Fun fact: Imani played for Southern Zone and was part of the first graduating group of girls!
Team 2026 – Delaney Hudson
delaneybhudson@gmail.com
Delaney will be a junior in the fall at Butler University where she plays Division 1 Lacrosse. Prior to Butler, Delaney played for the Blessed Trinity Titans as a four year starter on attack. Her Lacrosse career took off in 3rd grade and Southern Zone was the club team she played for starting in the sixth grade. Delaney currently studies political science and psychology with a minor in international studies at Butler. Outside of lacrosse, Delaney loves going to Disney, reading anything psychology or crime related, working out, and playing with her dogs! Delaney is looking forward to a great summer!
Team 2027 Red – Sandy Salit
226sandys@gmail.com
Sandy Salit graduated from Johns Creek High School in 2020 and now plays Division 1 lacrosse at Mercer University. Sandy served as a captain her junior and senior year of high school and led the team in assists. Sandy comes from a big lacrosse family. Her dad and grandpa both played at collegiate level as well as both of her brothers who are now currently playing at the University of Albany and St. John Fischer. Sandy started playing lacrosse in fourth grade and has played for Southern Zone ever since it first started. Sandy has spent several seasons coaching youth teams for Johns Creek High School and helping out with SoZo! She can’t wait to coach the 2027s this upcoming season!
Team 2027 White – Kacy Handzel
kacy.handzel9@gmail.com
Kacy Handzel graduated from North Cobb High School in 2021 as a four-year varsity starter, three-year captain, draw-control record holder, and 2021 Most Positive Girls Lacrosse Player in Georgia. Kacy played NCAA Division III lacrosse at The College of Wooster for two seasons and transferred to The University of Cincinnati in 2023 where she is now the vice president of the school’s club lacrosse team. This will be Kacy’s fourth season coaching with SoZo, and first season with the 2027s. She cannot wait for what the season has in store!
Team 2027 White – Sadie Orefice
sadieorefice.lax24@gmail.com
Sadie Orefice is in the graduating class of 2024 at Cambridge High School! She started playing lacrosse in 7th grade and hasn’t stopped since! She will be attending and playing Division 1 lacrosse at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York where she will major in PreMed. Sadie has been a 4 year varsity starter on her Cambridge team playing multiple positions, but mainly midfield! This is Sadie’s first summer season coaching for SoZo and can’t wait to get started!
Team 2028 Red – Chloe Patterson
chloepatt13@gmail.com
Chloe is a 2022 graduate of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School and will play Division 1 lacrosse at Winthrop University after graduation. She was captain of the junior varsity team at BT last year, and is now a starter on the varsity team. She started her lacrosse journey in the second grade, and started playing for Southern Zone in the seventh grade. Chloe is a defender, and has been from the start! Outside of lacrosse, Chloe likes spending her time outside and hanging out with friends. This summer will be Chloe’s first summer as a coach, and she can’t wait to get started!!
Team 2028 White – Brooke Beard
brookecbeard@gmail.com
Brooke is a current sophomore attacker at Liberty University where she plays Division 1 lacrosse. Brooke is a Strategic Communications major with a focus in Social Media Management. She graduated from Fellowship Christian High School in 2021 and was a four year starter and senior year captain. Brooke was named first team all-state sophomore and senior year, and USA All-American senior year. Brooke has been playing lacrosse since 4th grade and played with Southern Zone for three years. Outside of lacrosse Brooke loves going to the lake and spending time with her friends and family. This is Brooke’s first year coaching for SoZo and can’t wait to coach the 2031’s.
Team 2028 White – Breka McLaughlin
brekamclaughlin0@gmail.com
Breka McLaughlin graduated from Fellowship Christian School where she was a four year varsity starter and senior year captain. In 2019, Breka was awarded Varsity Rookie of the Year as well as GHSA All-State Honorable Mention. She was also awarded Varsity Lacrosse Defense Player of the Year in 2021, and MVP in 2022. Breka has been playing lacrosse since 6th grade and began playing for Southern Zone junior year of high school. She is a defender. Breka is currently attending Georgia College School of Nursing! Outside of lacrosse, Breka loves traveling and spending time with family and friends. This is Breka’s second year coaching for SoZo, but she does have previous coaching experience as well! Breka can not wait to coach the 2028’s and is so excited to meet the girls and see them grow!
Team 2029 Red – Tricia Knor
tricia.knor@yahoo.com
Tricia has been involved with lacrosse since 2009 as a founding board member for Kell Junior Lacrosse. She began coaching in 2010 with the inaugural U9 Kell Junior lacrosse team and served every year on the executive board as Vice President and Treasurer. For the next 9 years, she coached every level of youth lacrosse from U9 to U15 teams. In 2018, Tricia became a certified youth and high school lacrosse official and continues to officiate lacrosse games. In her youth, Tricia was a competitive gymnast, track athlete, and cheerleader and was a member of the University of Kentucky Cheerleading squad from 1987-1990. This is Tricia’s first season coaching for SoZo and she’s very excited to coach the very talented 2029 Red team!
Team 2029 Red – Ansley Knor
ansley.knor@gmail.com
Ansley Knor is a senior at Kell High School this year! She has been a starting varsity midfielder for 4 years and is continuing her lacrosse career at the division 1 level at the University of South Florida. Ansley began lacrosse in kindergarten and has now been playing for 12 years. She is a 2x varsity captain for her high school team and hopes to lead them to a state championship! Some achievements Ansley has done in her career is: Under Armour South Command team,
Under Armour 150, HS Varsity Rookie of the Year, 2x Georgia Positive Athlete Award, HS Defensive Player of the Year, USA Georgia National Team, Nike All American Select Georgia team, 2021, 2022 Georgia All State Team, 2021, 2022 1st Team All County (Cobb County) Under Armour South Highlight team, Under Armour Highlight All American tournament team, and Best in Class Committed Academy. Ansley cannot wait to work with the SoZo 2029 Red team and help grow the love of the game!
SoZo Starz – Kaylie Rittmueller
ksrittmueller@gmail.com
Kaylie Rittmueller is in the graduating class of 2023 at Cambridge High School! She started playing lacrosse in 6th grade and has never stopped since! She will be attending and playing Division 1 lacrosse at Presbyterian College in the fall and could not be more excited that she gets to play the game she loves for the next four years!! Kaylie has been a varsity starter on attack at Cambridge for three years and plans to help her team have a great season as a senior! She works at a donut shop in her free time and enjoys spending time with family and friends! She played with Sozo since her freshman year and began coaching last summer and is thrilled to have the opportunity to help motivate these new players! She will be coaching the Sozo 32s/33s and loves their high energy and helping them learn a strong lacrosse foundation! GO SOZO!!