Luke Stanczyk, Benedictine Sports Information

LISLE, Ill. -- The Benedictine University Athletic Department has appointed a new head coach for the women's lacrosse program as Cat Thoreson will take over the program, beginning in the Fall of 2013.

"We are fortunate to find someone with the passion and commitment to lead our program," stated Director of Athletics Mark McHorney. "Cat's past experiences have prepared her well to serve Benedictine University."

"It is with great pleasure that I accept the role of Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Benedictine University," Thoreson said. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics, Mark McHorney, and the search committee for their efforts throughout this process. The energy, culture, support, and enthusiasm they displayed is unmatched, and I am eager to be a part of it. I cannot envision a more ideal place to coach, work, and grow."

Thoreson brings a bevy of experience to the women's lacrosse team as she's been coaching the sport since graduating from the Hofstra University Honors program in 2009. This past school year, Thoreson was the Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach at North Central College in Naperville, helping lead the team to a school record 12 wins and  its first appearance in the Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference Tournament Championship. She has also coached the game at the High School, Club, and recreational levels, and is currently a coach for Team ONE's  travel girls lacrosse program based out of Niles.

Before Thoreson went into coaching, she was a standout player for Division I Hofstra. In 2007, she was part of the Hofstra team that was ranked in the Top 20 nationally, won the Colonial Athletic Association Championship, and made an NCAA Tournament appearance.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, Thoreson has also pursued a number of roles in the corporate world since 2009; a list comprised of companies like MS&L Worldwide, Likeable Media and Restaurant.com. Most recently, she was the Director of Marketing and Brand Management at Planet Fitness Chicago.
"I am eager to combine my previous playing and coaching experiences, working knowledge of the corporate world, and passion for the sport of lacrosse at Benedictine," Thoreson said. "I am highly confident that the aforementioned, in tandem with the University's unwavering support, commitment to academic and athletic excellence, and top-notch facilities, will positively impact boththe women's lacrosse program's reputation and ultimate success."

Thoreson believes that her marketing experience has helped to shape who she is, but coaching has always been her core passion.

"While working in the field of marketing has provided me great pleasure,  coaching women's lacrosse remains my core passion," Thoreson explained. "My intense love of the game has undeniably fueled the desire to continue coaching at the collegiate level. I look forward to bringing all that I have to Benedictine University and writing a new chapter of the women's lacrosse program."

However, Thoreson does not want to leave her mark on Benedictine only on the lacrosse field. She wants to make an impact in her player's lives and help them to become better individuals as well.
"My immediate task is to set a standard of excellence for my student-athletes both on the field and off," explained Thoreson. "I look forward to creating more opportunities for them, present and future, heightening the program's level of competition locally and nationally, and enhancing the brand of Benedictine University. It is my goal to create growing recruiting opportunities, increased national exposure, and mounting resources to fuel the program's and my athletes' boundless success."

All in all, Thoreson couldn't be more excited to lead the program during a time of growth for BenU Athletics.

"This is an exciting time for not only Benedictine, but the sport of lacrosse in the Midwest," she said. "I am eager to lead its growth, development, and success as an Eagle, and look forward to building a winning team backed by excellence, respect and passion both on the field and off. I cannot wait to get started.".