Lacrosse: The first recruit

Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach Monica Plut announced the team’s first-ever signing with Sydney Shaughnessy of Meridian High School in February.

“Sydney is a great asset to our school, team and athletic program,” Plut said. “She is always one of the hardest workers in the room, very dedicated, and has such passion for our sport. She is excited about helping to build a legacy at EOU and for our team.”

Shaughnessy became the first Mountaineer women’s lacrosse player after an outstanding high school career. At Meridian last year, she posted 49 goals and six assists as a midfielder.

“If I were starting a college program, I would want to have a team of players like Sydney Shaughnessy coming onboard,” said Tom Welsh, Meridian High School head girls’ lacrosse coach.

“She is a great athlete, student and most importantly, a great teammate. I have no doubt that her work ethic, positive attitude and infectious personality will help Coach Plut build a first-class program at EOU.”

Shaughnessy is the first player from Meridian High School lacrosse to sign with a collegiate program. She will also be the first person in her family to attend college when she starts at EOU in the fall.

“Ever since I was a kid, my family has always told me to follow my dreams and that nothing can stop me if I put in the hard work and dedication,” Shaughnessy said. “EOU felt like that second family, guiding me to my dreams that just became reality.”

The signing marks the first steps for the EOU women’s lacrosse program as it continues to build toward the 2021 season.

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Meet Head Lacrosse Coach Monica Plut

Monica Plut became EOU’s first women’s lacrosse head coach earlier this year. She led the women’s lacrosse program at Adams State University, a NCAA Division II school in Colorado, most recently.

Plut started her coaching career in 2014 in Chicago, then coached the state runner-up in 2017. The next year, Plut led her team to the league semifinals and earned a No. 1 spot in the East District.

“Between athletics and academics, EOU has so much to offer for student-athletes,” Plut said. “The coaches and sport programs at Eastern have a strong culture and passion for success, both on the field and in the classroom. I’m excited to join that culture and build upon it with a new sport.”

She started playing lacrosse at 11, and has organized clinics, camps and a travel team to grow the sport. Plut has plans to establish middle and high school lacrosse teams in the area that will eventually bring lacrosse players to campus.