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 has coached for SoZo for many years and she now lives and works in Canton GA. 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; Team 2030 – 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, walking her labradoodles and playing golf with her husband. Her son James played baseball at Centre College (Class of 2024) and is currently getting his Masters of Accountancy at Vanderbilt. Her daughter Audrey was a long time member of SoZo and is currently a Junior at UGA where she enjoys being a Younglife leader and is a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Julie believes in coaching young women to their best potential while instilling confidence, building strong teammates and mentoring leadership skills for both the athletes and the coaches at SoZo.
Performance Mindset Coach-BA, MA- MST, SDA Certified DISC Trainer; Team 2031/2032 – Liz Vola
elizabeth.vola@gmail.com
Liz is relatively 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. She has coached at the high school JV level on Long Island as well as several years with the Walton Jr Lax program.
Classically trained as a teacher, Liz has been working with kids in the classroom, on the lacrosse fields and around dining room tables for more than 20 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with teens in many capacities, but is most excited to work with the young ladies on the importance of personal awareness, a growth mindset and character development. Liz looks forward to working with your daughters and watching them grow through this experience.
Liz lives in Marietta-East Cobb with her husband Tim, daughter Libby, rising 10th grader and three sport athlete at Blessed Trinity (2027 Red Team) and son Rory, rising 7th grader, who attends Queen of Angels. In her ‘spare time’ you can find her on the golf course, working on her short game.
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 2027 Red – 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 2027 White – Ame Conley
AConley@wesleyanschool.org
Ame is originally from Keene, New Hampshire and played field hockey at Bentley University. In 1992, she moved to Atlanta, got married and raised 4 boys (who all played lacrosse). She started coaching girls lacrosse in 2011 and was one of the founding board members and coaches of the Wolves Lacrosse Association, Wesleyan School’s parent run feeder program. Having only had boys, this gave her an opportunity to share her love of sports with girls and empower them to become stronger young women and grow more confidence in themselves. Since 2014, she has been coaching and teaching at Wesleyan School. She started coaching MS and assisted varsity for a couple of years, then became the varsity head coach during their 2023 season. When she’s not coaching, she loves to run, teach yoga, hike with her husband and dog, golf with her family, and travel back to New England. Ame is thrilled to join SoZo this fall and coaching the 2027 White team!
Team 2027 White – Katie Verret
kmverret@gmail.com
Katie first started playing lacrosse in 6th grade and eventually played for North Gwinnett High School. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Dietetics. Katie currently works at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as a Registered Dietitian. She’s been coaching lacrosse for 10 years, 5 of them at the elite club level. Also in those 10 years she has coached for both Kell and Lassiter middle school feeder programs. When Katie ais not coaching or working, she enjoys trying new foods, traveling, playing tennis , and creating memories with friends and family. Katie is excited for this next chapter with SoZo!
Team 2029 – Ana Boothe
anaboothe@gmail.com
Ana Boothe graduated from Presbyterian College in 2022 where she earned two undergraduate degrees: a BS in Psychology and a BA in History. Ana was a five-year starting athlete for the BlueHose and doubled as an attacker and midfielder in her time there. She was on the leadership council her senior year and was elected captain for her fifth-year season. Ana attended Johns Creek High School, where she was a 4-time letterman. She is an all-around player, with an emphasis on attack. Ana has had a stick in her hand since she was 5 and played for a few club teams in the Atlanta area, including Southern Zone! Ana recently moved back from Tallahassee, FL to Canton, GA, and enjoys taking her black lab puppy, Jax on walks around the neighborhood!
Team 2029 – Shannen Roy
shannen.roy@outlook.com
Shannen graduated from Lock Haven University in 2023 where she played Division II lacrosse for 4 years. She started and played in every game during her collegiate career as a defender. Shannen was voted captain for her college lacrosse team for her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA but moved to Annapolis Maryland at a young age, which is where she started playing lacrosse in the first grade. She played club lacrosse for Integrity lacrosse club and then moved to Bay Area lacrosse club. Shannen played lacrosse all the way through college and enjoyed all the years she had the privilege to play. Now, Shannen works for WelcomeHome Software as a recruiter/operations associate in Buckhead. In her free time, she enjoys running and has completed several half marathons and one full marathon, with plans on running more races soon. Shannen had a blast coaching the 2030s/31s this past summer and is very excited to coach the 2029s this fall and looks forward to helping the girls learn and grow as young women and athletes!
Team 2030 – Ruthie Mandell
ruthiemandell@gmail.com
Ruthie first started playing lacrosse in first grade and has had a passion and love for the game ever since. Both of her parents grew up in Upstate New York and passed the sport down to her at a young age, not knowing much about it, she was obsessed ever since she picked up her first stick. Ruthie Mandell graduated from Young Harris College in 2024 where she played division II lacrosse for four years. At YHC she earned her BS in Sport and Recreation Studies. Ruthie was a three year starter on attack for the mountain lions and helped lead the team to a conference championship appearance her senior year. She was also captain her junior and senior years at YHC. At Young Harris, Ruthie was a three-year Morgan’s Message Ambassador and two-year member of the Student Athletic Academic Committee (SAAC). Ruthie earned four letters in lacrosse and is so a two-time GHSA A-5A State Champion at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. Ruthie played for LB3 and Southern Zone club in her career and is proud to be a part of the inaugural season of Sozo! Ruthie was also a member of the 2019 US Lacrosse National Tournament Team Georgia. Coming back to coach at Sozo has been a full circle and she couldn’t be more excited to inspire the younger generations!
Team 2031/2032 – Anna Myrick
AMyrick@wesleyanschool.org
Anna Myrick grew up in Alpharetta, GA. She attended Milton HS where she first learned about the game of lacrosse, as a freshman. She quickly fell in love with sport and was able to serve as a captain in both her junior and senior year. Anna matriculated to Georgia Tech where she played club, officiated HS games in the metro area, led camps, and started community coaching at Westminster Schools at both the MS and HS level. After coaching and officiating the game for over 6 years, Anna was hired as a teacher and coach at Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners. Anna led the Girls Lacrosse program at Wesleyan for 11 years and now serves as a Middle School Coach at Wesleyan. Anna has worked at Wesleyan since 2011 and is currently a high school science teacher and department chair. She is married to Chip Myrick, and they have two children together, Mary Beth (4th-grade) and Smith (1st-grade). In her spare time, she loves hiking, spending time with family, reading, playing tennis, and staying active. She is excited to be joining the SoZo family and having the opportunity to work with the future of the game!
SoZo Starz – Teresa Roy
royclan@verizon.net
Teresa Roy (T) has been coaching lacrosse and field hockey since 2007. T has taught all ages of young ladies from kindergarten through high school. T has coached in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and now, Georgia. She co-coached the Northview High School team this past season with her daughter, Shannen Roy, who is coaching the SoZo 2030s this summer! T looks forward to working with the coaches and young ladies in the Starz program this summer!
SoZo Starz – Rylie Muller
rylie.muller2025@gmail.com
Rylie first started playing lacrosse in 1st grade, and is now a senior at Pope High school! She is a defender, but occasionally plays midfield. Rylie has been a 3 year varsity starter since her freshman year, and her sophomore year she was named the defensive player of the year for her team and set the caused turnover record and interception record at her school. Junior year, she was awarded the coaches award. Along with lacrosse, she also plays basketball. Throughout high school, Rylie has played for Georgia at American Select twice, and played for the All American Team South team. She has been a 3x player on the All American watchlist, and did Under Armor 150 her freshman year. Rylie started playing for SoZo her freshman year, and will finish her club lacrosse career here. She is committed to play D1 lacrosse at Kennesaw State. Rylie is so excited to help coach the SoZo Starz team, and is so happy to be able to help out and inspire these young girls the way she was inspired when she was their age!