The 2020 season marks Lauren Cootware's fifth season as an assistant coach at Vermont. Prior to the 2018 campaign, she was promoted to the position of top assistant.
The 2018 Cats made their fourth straight trip to the America East Tournament - a first for the program. The four victories during the league slate matched the most during her eight-year tenure. UVM had one of the top defenses in America East and surrendered the third-fewest goals (22) and recorded the third-best goals-against average (1.22). At season's end, the Catamounts were represented by seniors Brooke Jenkins and Casey Garfinkel on the All-Conference Second Team and All-Academic Team while freshman Alyssa Oviedo landed on the All-Rookie Team.
Cootware helped the UVM women's soccer program to new heights in 2017. The Catamounts made their first ever appearance in the America East Championship Game and became only the second team in the history of the league to earn a title game berth as a No. 6 seed. The 2017 Cats ended the season with a 9-9-2 overall record, their highest win total since the 2004 campaign. UVM had three players earn All-America East honors as Sarah Martin landed on the All-Conference First Team, Jenkins made the All-Conference Second Team and All-Academic Team, and Ella Bankert was honored with an All-Rookie Team nod.
In 2016, the Catamounts made their second consecutive trip to the semifinal round of the America East Tournament, a first for the program. Three players earned America East honors – Sarah Martin landed was a Second Team All-Conference selection while Julia Smith and Brooke Jenkins made the All-Rookie Team. It marked the 12th straight season where a new Cat had garnered All-Rookie honors. In net, junior keeper Coco Speckmaier finished the season tied for the ninth-best goals-against average in program history at 1.05. She also cracked the top-10 in shutouts (6) and shattered the minutes played record (1,802).
Cootware joined the UVM staff after a four-year starter at Boston College. A defender/midfielder for the Eagles she started every game she played (81) and finished her career with 29 points on six goals and 17 assists.
She ranked third on the team in scoring as a sophomore and junior and helped BC reach the NCAA Tournament three times, including an Elite Eight appearance in her sophomore season. Cootware was named the Boston College Rookie of the Year in 2012.
A two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Vermont, she was a two-time NSCAA All-American at Colchester High School and a member of the U.S. U14 and U18 Youth National Teams. She was a member of the ODP Region I Team from 2005-2012. Cootware also holds a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and a U.S. Soccer C license.