After a long eight years, former Walter Johnson Field Hockey (WJFH) coach Laura Brager is stepping down. The new coach, Lauren Zucconi, will be starting in spring of 2024. Zucconi was a three-year varsity field hockey player at Quince Orchard High School, and later returned as the JV coach and assistant varsity coach from 2001 to 2003, leading the QO Cougars to the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) State Championship in 2001.

Her coaching experience extended to Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 2016 and 2017, as the assistant varsity field hockey coach, helping to lead the team to a regional semifinal appearance. Beyond high school coaching, Zucconi dedicated five years as the Youth Development Program Director and Coach for Jackals Field Hockey, helping to develop young field hockey players. In recent years, she served as the head coach for the Wootton JV lacrosse team from 2017 to 2021.

Zucconi is the co-founder and program director of Washington Area Youth Sports, a club that was designed for young athletes to learn and develop field hockey and lacrosse skills. Zucconi is planning to bring those same ideas to WJ field hockey.

“I strive to empower young female athletes to be the best they can be while providing them with the fundamental skills to compete in the field,” Zucconi said, “I am a big believer of focusing on fundamentals and athleticism. The girls have to be in shape and ready to work. Focusing on the fundamental skills of the sport repeatedly will provide a foundation for us to build on.”

Zucconi has a personal connection to WJ sports as both of her daughters, senior Anna and freshman Julia Zucconi, are both a part of WJ’s athletic program. Part of the reason she chose WJ to coach was to be closer to her daughters.

“I love coaching high school and I especially love coaching field hockey. It is special to me to be able to coach where my girls go to school,” Zucconi said.

For many players, coach Brager has been their coach every year of WJFH, so a new coach will be a big change.

“I feel that a lot of my teammates were very close to Brager, so with a new coach, I’m not sure that players will be as comfortable around the new coach right away,” junior Charlotte Markey said.

Although Coach Brager will be missed, something new can be exciting and good for the team. Zucconi has goals and high expectations for the team that will hopefully affect the team in a positive way.

“I want to build this program to be competitive in their division and their region. I hope we get a good start next year and find success while taking the program to the next level,” Zucconi said.