hLORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University women's lacrosse head coach Tracy Coyne has announced the hiring of Sophia Thomas as an assistant coach.

"I am excited to welcome Sophia to Saint Francis as our new assistant coach," said Coyne. "Sophia's positive energy and enthusiasm along with her Division I playing experience at Arizona State made her a perfect fit.  The knowledge she gained competing as an athlete in the PAC-12 means she will bring a fresh perspective and ideas to practice planning that should improve our skill development and raise our level of play."

Thomas comes to Loretto after serving as a student assistant/manager at Arizona State University for the last year. She joined the Sun Devils team and 2004 Northeast Conference Coach of the Year Courtney Martinez Connor for its inaugural season in 2018 and played three seasons. Thomas appeared in 18 games in between the pipes with 33 saves in 245:42 of action. She made a career-best seven saves in a 12-11 overtime win against the University of California on March 25, 2018.

"I am honored and humbled to join the women's lacrosse staff and athletic department at Saint Francis University," said Thomas. "I would like to thank Coach Coyne and Director of Athletics James Downer for this opportunity. After being a part of the Arizona State University women's lacrosse inaugural team, I am excited to include my experience playing and coaching lacrosse on the west coast to help continue building a competitive program in Loretto."

Thomas served as an assistant coach for the girls' lacrosse team at Higley High School for the last four seasons. She helped the team win the 2021 Arizona state championship and led the defense in drills. She has also worked as a coach/counselor for camps at Arizona State, Northwestern, Dickinson and Legacy Global Sports over the last eight years.

"Our goalies will really gain an advantage because of Sophia's understanding of that position," said Coyne. "I can't wait to start working together so we can do everything possible to prepare the team for an outstanding season."  

Thomas graduated from Arizona State with a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a minor in history in December.

Thomas grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where she was a three-time Brine National High School All-American from 2014-16 and registered 553 career saves at Cumberland Valley High School.