Widener University

Widener University Chester, PA 19013

Division 3 Pennsylvania Northeast

Private Small Developing team

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Coaches

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Sophie Bass

Sophie Bass enters her first season as head coach for the Women’s Lacrosse team in 2023, fifth season overall at Widener University. Bass previously served as the Interim Head Coach twice from September 2022 to May 2023 and June 2021 to October 2021 as well as an Assistant Coach beginning in 2019.

During the 2023 season, Bass led the Pride to an 11-8 overall record and 6-3 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Pride qualified for the MAC Commonwealth Tournament after beating Albright in the opening round and finished their season in the semifinals against nationally ranked York College. Bass coached five All-MAC student-athletes: Kaely Cristello and Clark Trowbirdge first-team, Katie Ward and Jamie DeHaven second-team and Makayla Cox honorable mention. Kaely Cristello also earned IWLCA All-Metro Region Second Team and was selected for the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game.

In 2022, the Pride finished 10-8 and Bass helped coach four All-MAC student-athletes (three First-Team and one Second-Team). Bass helped in the development and success of goalie Maddie Medve who was named the MAC Conference Defensive Player of the Year and IWLCA All-Metro Region Second Team. Additionally, Amber Bretz and Maddie Medve were selected and played in the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game.

In 2021, Bass helped them post a 7-6 record and coached four All-Conference athletes (one First-Team athlete and three Second-Team athletes). While on staff, Bass helped the Pride beat Stevenson 8-7 in overtime for the first time in program history and beat Lebanon Valley 12-10 for the first time since 2010.

The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.

Prior to working as an assistant coach, Bass had a standout career at Albright College as a midfielder, earning All-MAC Commonwealth First Team Honors as a Junior and Senior and All-MAC Commonwealth Honorable mention as a Sophomore. She was selected to play in the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game, earned IWLCA All-Metro Region Second Team Honors in 2019 and was named to the All-ECAC Second Team in 2019. Bass played and started in all 71 of her Lions games during her college career. She etched her name among the best and ended her career with 165 goals, 77 assists, 242 points. When Bass graduated she was Albright’s all-time leader in career points (242), points in a season (91), assists in a season (41) and career assists (77).

A Westfield, N.J. native, Bass comes to Widener after graduating from Albright College in May 2019 with Honors and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. In December of 2021, she received her Masters in Sports Management with a concentration in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration from California University of Pennsylvania.

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Katherine Yarusso

Katherine Yarusso enters her first season as an assistant coach for the Pride in 2022.

Prior to joining the Pride, Yarusso graduated from Montclair State University in the Spring of 2022 and played her four years as a defender for the Red Hawks. While at Monclair State, Yarusso played three seasons as a starter, had 29 ground balls credited, caused 27 turnovers, and was named the 2021 NJAC Defensive Player of the Week. Off the field, Yarusso was apart of Montclair's Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Club Committee.

Yarusso brings 5+ years of coaching experience to the Pride, primarily at the club level. While coaching at South Jersey Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, Yarusso helps mentor players to develop strong work ethics, develop and implement training regiments to help future college athletes, and prepares the defensive players during games.

The New Deptford, NJ native earned a bachelor's in mathematics in 2022 and is scheduled to complete her masters of social research and analysis from Montclair State this coming May.