This morning on Twitter, Kelly Amonte Hiller posted her thoughts about being named the head coach of the women’s U.S. U-19 team.
"I am humbled and honored to lead the United States in the next U19 World Championships. "It is a very unique and incredible experience to represent your country in your sport.
— AMONTE SPORTS (@AMONTESPORTS) February 8, 2018
Amonte, who is the head coach of the Northwestern women’s lax team that has won 5 consecutive national titles during her tenure, was announced as the head coach of the U-19 team earlier this week by US Lacrosse.
Congratulations to Kelly Amonte Hiller, of @NULax , the US U-19 Women’s National Team Head Coach! | https://t.co/uEWnguD5dr #USALax @USAWLax
— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) February 1, 2018
Amonte- Hiller, a three-time U.S. Women’s World Cup team member and a nine-time NCAA champion as a player and coach, has achieved remarkable success as the head coach at Northwestern University since the school brought back its varsity program in 2002. In 16 seasons, she has compiled a record of 265–67, winning seven national championships, including five straight from 2005 to 2009.
From 2005 to 2014, Northwestern reached at least the NCAA semifinal round 10 consecutive years and the Wildcats have been selected for the NCAA tournament 14 consecutive seasons under Amonte Hiller.
The decorated head coach and player has also produced several Tewarraton Award winners, Kristen Kjellman (2006, 2007), Hannah Nielsen (2008, 2009) and Shannon Smith (2011). Also several of her former players and assistant coaches are now head coaches throughout the college and HS levels of the game.
I was fortunate enough to compete in three World Cups as a player and I know first hand what a privilege this is. I'm confident my experience as a player and my tenure at Northwestern will provide the best possible experience for the team." -Kelly Amonte Hiller
— AMONTE SPORTS (@AMONTESPORTS) February 8, 2018
Amonte Hiller was also a four time All American at the University of Maryland.
Per the US Lacrosse release:
Following her Maryland days, she helped the U.S. capture the FIL World Cup in 1997 and 2001 and earned all-world honors in helping the U.S. to a silver medal finish in 2005. Amonte Hiller’s 35 career goals and 67 career points in FIL World Cup play both rank second all-time in U.S. history. She was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2012.
Tryouts for the 2019 U.S. team will be held in August 2018 (applications will be available in March) and will follow the US Lacrosse age-based segmentation policy that was adopted by the US Lacrosse Board of Directors in 2016. As a result of that policy, any age-eligible player under FIL guidelines will be able to be selected for the team, including players with college experience. Previously, the U.S. women’s team had restricted the U19 team to players that had not participated in college prior to the world championship.
Applications for the assistant coaching and support staff will be posted on Feb. 2, 2018 and remain open through Feb. 12, 2018.
Applications for the US Women’s U-19 Staff (assistant coaches and support staff) are due Monday, Feb. 12 | https://t.co/ikEFWKrOM2 pic.twitter.com/jpQx7SM3Dr
— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) February 2, 2018
