University Southern California Trojans
Women's Lacrosse
Lauren Gunning
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- gunningl@usc.edu
- Phone:
- (213) 740-0917
Lauren Gunning is in her fifth season (2026) with the Women of Troy; her fourth as the program’s Associate Head Coach (2023-current). She previously served as an assistant coach for the Trojans in 2022.
Gunning joined USC after seven seasons (2015-21) as a coach at Connecticut where she played lacrosse as a student-athlete (2008-11). She returned to her alma mater in the summer of 2014 and coached her first six seasons as a Huskies assistant. She was elevated to the position of associate head coach in 2021. Before Connecticut, she spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Cincinnati (2012-14).
Gunning directed UConn’s offensive unit and helped the Huskies win 59 games during her time with the Huskies. In both 2016 and 2021, Connecticut reached a program-record 12 wins. In 2021, Gunning helped UConn earn a berth into the NCAA tournament for only the second time in program history and for the first time since 2013.
While on staff, Gunning coached attacker Grace Nolan who graduated as UConn’s all-time leader in points and goals. Under her guidance, Nolan was named a third-team IWLCA All-American in 2018 and was a two-time Big East Attacker of the Year. Gunning’s efforts also helped Nolan achieve IWLCA All-Northeast Region first-team honors several times and the Big East Rookie of the Year award in 2015.
In 2015, her first season at UConn, Gunning helped lead the Huskies to the Big East Tournament title game for the first time and to a fourth straight season in double-digit wins. She was honored with the Huskies’ staff as part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year. That season, four UConn players were named to the All-Big East first team while the Huskies finished in the national top 20 in caused turnovers, assists, and ground balls per game.
Prior to coaching at her alma mater, Gunning spent three years at Cincinnati (2012-14). There, she worked primarily with the Bearcats’ offensive unit and had a hand in the development of Cincinnati’s goalkeepers. Gunning was also part of UC recruiting and scouting efforts and helped the Bearcats match a program record with seven wins in 2013.
Before she arrived at Cincinnati, Gunning started her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Iona in the fall of 2011 and worked directly with the attack unit. She has also served as a coach at several prominent camps throughout her career including Game On Lacrosse Camp at UConn, Duke Lacrosse Camp, and the Triple Threat Lacrosse Camp.
As a player at UConn, Gunning tallied 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) for the Huskies and was named to the Big East All-Academic Team in each of her four seasons. She served as a team captain in her senior season and produced a career-high seven goals.
A native of Hunt Valley, Md., Gunning graduated from UConn with a bachelor's degree in sports management and completed her time at Connecticut with a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average and Dean's list honors.
Gunning joined USC after seven seasons (2015-21) as a coach at Connecticut where she played lacrosse as a student-athlete (2008-11). She returned to her alma mater in the summer of 2014 and coached her first six seasons as a Huskies assistant. She was elevated to the position of associate head coach in 2021. Before Connecticut, she spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Cincinnati (2012-14).
Gunning directed UConn’s offensive unit and helped the Huskies win 59 games during her time with the Huskies. In both 2016 and 2021, Connecticut reached a program-record 12 wins. In 2021, Gunning helped UConn earn a berth into the NCAA tournament for only the second time in program history and for the first time since 2013.
While on staff, Gunning coached attacker Grace Nolan who graduated as UConn’s all-time leader in points and goals. Under her guidance, Nolan was named a third-team IWLCA All-American in 2018 and was a two-time Big East Attacker of the Year. Gunning’s efforts also helped Nolan achieve IWLCA All-Northeast Region first-team honors several times and the Big East Rookie of the Year award in 2015.
In 2015, her first season at UConn, Gunning helped lead the Huskies to the Big East Tournament title game for the first time and to a fourth straight season in double-digit wins. She was honored with the Huskies’ staff as part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year. That season, four UConn players were named to the All-Big East first team while the Huskies finished in the national top 20 in caused turnovers, assists, and ground balls per game.
Prior to coaching at her alma mater, Gunning spent three years at Cincinnati (2012-14). There, she worked primarily with the Bearcats’ offensive unit and had a hand in the development of Cincinnati’s goalkeepers. Gunning was also part of UC recruiting and scouting efforts and helped the Bearcats match a program record with seven wins in 2013.
Before she arrived at Cincinnati, Gunning started her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Iona in the fall of 2011 and worked directly with the attack unit. She has also served as a coach at several prominent camps throughout her career including Game On Lacrosse Camp at UConn, Duke Lacrosse Camp, and the Triple Threat Lacrosse Camp.
As a player at UConn, Gunning tallied 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) for the Huskies and was named to the Big East All-Academic Team in each of her four seasons. She served as a team captain in her senior season and produced a career-high seven goals.
A native of Hunt Valley, Md., Gunning graduated from UConn with a bachelor's degree in sports management and completed her time at Connecticut with a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average and Dean's list honors.
USC Lacrosse vs. Penn State Highlights | Trojans lose 19-8
Thursday, March 12
USC Lacrosse vs. Niagara Highlights | Trojans win 19-10
Sunday, March 08
USC Lacrosse vs. San Diego State Highlights | Trojans win 13-3
Wednesday, March 04
USC Lacrosse vs Stanford Highlights | Trojans lose 18-4
Sunday, February 22
