July 29, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Amber Falcone, recently named the best defender at the 2009 Women’s Lacrosse World Cup, will join the Vanderbilt staff as an assistant lacrosse coach, Head Coach Cathy Swezey announced Wednesday.
Prior to leading Team USA to its sixth World Cup title, Falcone was named the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association’s 2009 Defender of the Year as a senior for North Carolina. She led the Tar Heels to a runner-up finish in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. A native of Westminster, Md., Falcone was the first Tar Heel to earn All-America honors four times.
“I could not be more excited about having Amber join our coaching staff,” Swezey said. “She has amazing energy and will certainly bring a spark to our program. Amber’s success as a player for both UNC and the U.S. World Cup team will be invaluable. She has a proven track record and I feel she will transition easily into the coaching ranks. Her new ideas and thoughts will be critical to our success as we enter a year where the sky is the limit.”
“Vanderbilt has a wonderful lacrosse program and an excellent academic reputation,” Falcone said. “This summer was the best experience of my life, and now to have this great opportunity to come to Nashville is extremely exciting.”
Last season, Vanderbilt advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The 2010 Commodores will return seven seniors, including All-Americans Sarah Downing and Alex Mundy.
