PHILADELPHIA – Laura Baker, who spent the past two seasons on the coaching staff at VCU, has been named an assistant field hockey coach at La Salle, head coach Michelle Marks announced today.
“I am very excited to welcome Laura Baker to our program,” Marks said. “She is a very talented young coach. Her international experience will prove to be very valuable and she has a proven history of helping to build a program at VCU. We will be looking for her to help with our goalkeeping but is also very strong tactically, which will strengthen our defense. I know she will help us tremendously.”
As an assistant, Baker helped lead VCU to a 13-7 record in 2010 and a third place finish in the competitive Colonial Athletic Association. As the goalkeeping coach, Baker guided the VCU defense to five shutouts and a 1.68 GAA, both second in the league. During her first season at VCU in 2009 as a graduate assistant, the team finished third in the CAA in goals against average.
“I'm very excited to be joining the field hockey program at La Salle University and grateful to Michelle Marks and the Administration for giving me this opportunity,” Baker said. “I am looking forward to working with the girls and helping them fulfill their goals within the Atlantic 10 Conference this season."
A native of Kent, England, Baker appeared in 59 matches as a goalkeeper for VCU from 2005-08. Baker registered 310 saves and four shutouts as a Ram. As a freshman in 2005, she burst onto the scene with a pair of shutouts and a 1.59 goals-against-average.
As a senior captain in 2008, Baker logged all but 16 possible minutes in goal for the Rams. She made 53 saves and posted two shutouts.
In 2006, Baker helped England win the silver medal at the European Junior National Field Hockey Championship. She has played for the U-18 and U-21 Junior National Squads for England.
Baker earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from VCU in 2009 and a master's degree in sports leadership in 2010.
