LAKELAND, Fla. - Florida Southern is excited to announce the hiring of Emily Lortz as the new Assistant Coach for the Women's Lacrosse program. A decorated NCAA Division I student-athlete, Lortz brings a unique combination of high-level playing experience, academic excellence, and a passion for mentorship and community engagement.
"I'm excited to join the Florida Southern lacrosse family and use my experience to help the athletes excel both on the field and in life," said Lortz.Â
A former standout midfielder for the University of Florida, Lortz was an integral part of the Gators' lacrosse program from 2020 to 2024, contributing to multiple AAC and NCAA championship runs. Known for her work ethic and leadership, she served as the team's community service leader through the Goodwill Gators Program and was a recipient of the prestigious H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Award in 2024.
Lortz played in 60 games at Florida as a part of the Gator defense. She was the NCAA Elite 90 award winner in 2024. This prestigious accolade is awarded to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships.
Lortz's deep-rooted commitment to service and youth development is reflected in her work with Special Olympics Florida, the Goodwill Gators Program, and international mission work through Gators Lead Global. She was honored with the IWLCA Division I Community Awareness Award in 2022, recognizing her impact beyond the game.
"We are so excited to welcome Emily to our staff," said head coach Kara Reber. "Her experiences at UF, heavy involvement in community service, professionalism, and competitive nature were a perfect fit for what we were looking for. Emily will be a great addition to our staff and we can't wait to begin working with her in pursuit of championships this coming spring."
Lortz graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, earning a near-perfect 3.99 GPA. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Healthcare Analytics at the University of South Florida.
