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Shanta Loecker A Team Head Coach Email:  shanta@uclabruinslax.com

This year marks Shanta Loecker's tenth year of involvement with UCLA Women’s Lacrosse, and third season as head coach of the program. In 2012, the Bruins were invited back to the WCLA Division 1 National Championship as a No. 9 seed, where they finished in 7th, after wins over both No. 8 seeded Chapman University and No. 6 seeded University of Central Florida. Under Loecker's leadership, an unprecedented four UCLA players were named to the 2012 WCLA Division 1 All-America First Team. In addition, the Bruins finished their 2012 regular season with a 7-1 record in the WWLL, marking their best in-league performance in 9 years. They were awarded the 2nd seed at the WWLL Division 1 Championships, during which Loecker was presented with the 2012 WWLL Division 1 Coach of the Year Award and five Bruins were named to the WWLL Division 1 All-League Teams.

In 2011, the Bruins were invited to the WCLA Division 1 National Tournament as the No. 9 seed. They posted wins over No. 8 University of Michigan, No. 1 University of Colorado, and an exciting overtime victory over No. 4 Santa Clara University on their way to their first title game appearance since 2003. Although the Bruins lost a close match to Colorado State University in the final, two Bruins were recognized after the match. Morgan Oberstein was named Tournament MOP - Midfield and Allie Steinberg was named Tournament MOP - Defense. Over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, four UCLA players were named to the WCLA Division 1 All-America Teams, and ten UCLA players were named to the WWLL Dvision 1 All-League Teams. In her three seasons as head coach, the Bruins have amassed an overall record of 37-23 (.62).

During her four years as a UCLA Bruin, Loecker started at attack for UCLA’s “A” Team (2003-2006), and was named captain, team president, and 1st Team All-League her senior year. In 2006, she graduated from UCLA with a BA in Mass Communications Studies, and joined the UCLA coaching staff as head coach of the “B” Team. In her second season as “B” Team head coach, she was awarded WWLL Division 2 Coach of the Year. After the 2008 season ended, she moved on to be Assistant Coach of the “A” Team, focusing primarily on coaching the defensive end of the field. She then was named Head Coach in fall of 2009. In addition to coaching at UCLA, Loecker has coached for Starz and LA Lacrosse, as well assisted with clinics and camps throughout California. She currently serves on both the WWLL Executive Council and US Lacrosse WCLA Executive Council. She spoke at the 2012 US Lacrosse National Convention representing both the perspective of a WCLA coach and council member.

Loecker began her lacrosse career in the Midwest, where she played four years at Evanston Township High School (Evanston, IL). She was a four-year varsity starter, 2nd team All-State her junior year, and 1st team All-State and captain her senior year. She played with Team Illinois at various national tournaments, including the All-Star Express, Vail Shoot-Out, and USL Women's Division National Tournament. She also played basketball and ran cross-country at ETHS.