EASTON, Mass. (July 21, 2022)- Stonehill College has named Lauren Williams as an assistant coach for the women's ice hockey program, which is set to open competition in the New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) this year. The announcement was made today by the program's inaugural head coach Tara Watchorn.

"I am so pleased and grateful to announce that Lauren Williams will be joining the coaching staff for our inaugural season," said women's ice hockey head coach, Tara Watchorn.  "I could not think of a better mentor and resource for our student-athletes to grow both on and off the ice.  Lauren's expansive experience in mental performance coaching, as well as playing at the highest levels, makes her an exceptional addition to our staff and program as a whole."

Williams joins Watchorn's coaching staff after spending the last two years working at various hockey training organizations including most recently at Elite High Performance which is an organization that uses a science-based coaching process designed to drive athletes health, wealth, self, and business and relationship performance to the next level where she was a High Performance Coach and Mindset Brain Trainer. Her responsibilities included working with elite athletes at the youth and professional levels using Elite High Performance's brain training model to help athletes develop mental skills and tools to manage the stressors associated with high-level sports. She also led group and individual sessions addressing topics such as leadership, confidence, performing under pressure, and accessing peak performance state.

She also worked with CarShield Hockey as a Director of Women's Athlete Development & Performance the same year as she was with Elite High Performance. CarShield AAA Hockey Club is a USA Hockey and Missouri Hockey sanctioned Tier I hockey club and she directed efforts in developing the skills of young athletes on ice while creating a new AAA girls' program and also conducting youth-level camps to introduce female leadership and mentorship to local female hockey players.

Prior to her time with Elite High Performance and CarShield AAA, Williams was on the coaching staff of Becker College along with current Stonehill assistant coach, Megan Myers during the 2019-20 season. During her time with the Hawks, Williams helped coach skating and defensive positioning while also serving as a mentor to the student-athletes. 

"I am honored to be part of such a distinguished group that has such a unique opportunity in this inaugural season," said Williams. "I can't wait to get on the ice and behind the bench as a Skyhawk."

Williams earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 and then her Masters of Education in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counselling in 2020. A three-time All-Big Ten Academic Team honoree and four-year WCHA Scholar-Athlete award recipient for the Badgers, she served as an alternate captain her senior year and posted a career-high, 12 points (nine goals, three assists). Williams finished her collegiate career with six goals and 20 assists for 26 points and appeared in the NCAA Women's Hockey Tournament and reached Frozen Four each year while also posting three 30-plus win seasons. 

After her collegiate career, she has competed professionally in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) and Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) and currently serves as a founding member of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). During her time in the CWHL, she was drafted first overall by the Worcester Blades and made the All-Star game in her rookie year after being selected by various general managers and the league selection committee. While playing with Djurgårdens IF in the SDHL, Williams posted two goals in seven games played last season. As a member of the PWHPA, she and other professional women's hockey players look to provide a united voice to players advocating for the creation of one sustainable professional league in North America.

After hosting an exhibition game against the University of Moncton at the Bridgewater Ice Arena on Saturday, September 24, at 3 p.m., Stonehill officially starts its inaugural regular season schedule with a home and home weekend series with Hockey East member, University of Connecticut on Friday, September 30 in Storrs, Connecticut, at 6 p.m. followed by the Skyhawks official home opener against the Huskies on Saturday, October 1, at the Bridgewater Ice Arena at 5 p.m. 

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