Captains for 2023–24: Giulia Colarusso, Ellie Smith
Groton’s girls varsity lacrosse team is part of the preeminent Independent School League and enjoys the high level of competition within the league. Groton’s team was a rising star during the 2019 season and after graduating only three, the team is poised to achieve even more success in the spring of 2020.
The program is committed to developing lacrosse players to reach their own potential, whether that is college lacrosse or a top high school experience. We recognize the value of the multi-sport athlete. The coaches strive to teach players not only lacrosse skills but also team strategies, an athletic mindset, work ethic, and sportsmanship. Our focus is always on a team-oriented style of play, both on attack and defense. The Groton team is known for its spirit and unity. We work hard at practice but always have an element of fun and playfulness that makes our time together enjoyable and productive.
The coaches and college counselors work collaboratively to help college-bound players find the right school for them, both athletically and academically. Club lacrosse is an important vehicle in getting athletes exposure to college coaches but high school lacrosse is more akin to the collegiate experience, and learning to be a positive teammate and competitor is critical preparation for college athletics. Groton’s rigorous academic program ensures that all athletes are taught how to manage their school work with the time demands of a varsity program.
If you are interested in playing lacrosse at Groton School, please fill out the Athletic Interest Form. You can also contact Coach Rowland (jrowland@groton.org) with specific questions about the program.
Julia Rowland grew up playing on the fields and courts of New England. After coaching collegiate lacrosse in Pennsylvania and New York, Coach Rowland is glad to be back on those same fields and courts. She joined Groton as the Head Girl’s Lacrosse Coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
Coach Rowland attended Hamilton College where she was a member of the varsity lacrosse, basketball, and soccer teams while receiving her BA in public policy and minoring in music. Though her time on the Hamilton campus was cut short due to COVID-19, she was able to move home and begin her coaching career while still in school.
She began coaching for the Central Lacrosse Club as well as at public school powerhouse, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. During her two seasons at Lincoln-Sudbury, Coach Rowland helped guide the program to a DCL Championship and an appearance in the Elite Eight (2021) and Final Four (2022).
She spent this past year as the defensive coordinator at DI St. Bonaventure University and helped the team reach the Atlantic-10 Championships for the first time in 16 years.
Her coaching philosophy is "person > player"—she believes forging genuine bonds with student-athletes cultivates an environment where success is produced both on and off the field.
In addition, Julia will be the assistant Girls’ Basketball as well as the Global Education Assistant.