Laurie DeLuca, a former All-America goalkeeper at the University of Delaware, is in her seventh season as an assistant coach under head coach Jenny Graap after moving into a volunteer role prior to the 2009 campaign.
DeLuca was involved in all aspects of the program from 2002-08, from recruiting and travel planning to developing and implementing practice and game day strategy. She also served as the team's defensive coordinator.
It was DeLuca's work with goalkeeper Maggie Fava `06 that helped her become a third-team All-American and Ivy League co-Player of the Year in leading the team to a share of the program's first Ancient Eight title. As defensive coordinator, two of her units have been ranked among the top 10 nationally in scoring defense.
In her first season, DeLuca helped the Big Red to an 11-5 record and an ECAC championship. The Cornell defense finished the campaign ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 7.31 goals per game.
DeLuca, a 2002 graduate of Delaware, joined the Big Red staff after finishing a stellar career with the Blue Hens. The four-year starter and team captain was a three-time first-team all-region selection, while earning third-team IWLCA All-America and first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors as a senior for the Blue Hens. A first-team America East selection in 2001 and conference Rookie of the Year in 1999, DeLuca finished her Delaware career ranked second in career saves (754), goals against average (9.35), save percentage (.560) and minutes played (3,797). She was named most valuable player by her teammates in 2002.
DeLuca's younger sister, Elizabeth, was an All-America goalkeeper at Penn State. DeLuca and her husband, Ben, reside in Ithaca. Ben is the Associate Head Coach for the men's lacrosse team. The two had their first child in 2008.
*Updated July 1, 2009
