Fernandez, Arre to Lead OCC Vikings Women's Lacrosse Program

Toms River, NJ - The Ocean County College Athletic Department have announced the hirings of Samantha Fernandez and Courtney Arre in the positions of head and assistant coach for OCC's Women's Lacrosse team.

Assistant Coach Courtney Arre was a decorated 2-sport (Lacrosse, Field Hockey) athlete through her four years at Toms River H.S. North before moving on to Monmouth University, where she played field hockey for two seasons and lacrosse for four, winning the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship with the Hawks in the latter sport. Courtney transitioned from playing to coaching at Brick Memorial H.S., serving as head coach for the school's Field Hockey and Women's Lacrosse teams for 10 years, winning the 2015 A-South Lacrosse Championship.

The Vikings' first game of the season will also mark the coaching debut of Head Coach Samantha Fernandez, a recent graduate of Georgian Court University and 15-year athlete in the sport of lacrosse. Samantha enjoyed an outstanding lacrosse career at Georgian Court. She was named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, and was also named to the CACC All-Tournament and All-Conference Teams in both years. She was the CACC Tournament MVP and an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWCLA) 2nd Team All-Region member in 2018, and holds the Georgian Court record for goals in a season with 74, a feat accomplished in her junior year (2017). 

"I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the OCC Women’s Lacrosse program as it takes on its inaugural season," remarked Fernandez. "I feel that the addition of Women’s Lacrosse will be beneficial for both the athletics department and college as a whole. I am excited to offer an experience to the student-athletes that will impact them not only on the field but also in the classroom and as citizens in our community. It is extremely important to remember that not every person will be given the opportunity to experience collegiate athletics, and it is one that should never be taken for granted. I also believe that each athlete should feel comfortable and confident enough to reach their full potential in a friendly environment which Ocean County College most definitely provides. I am looking forward to a successful season."

Ocean County College's Women's Lacrosse team begins its first campaign in the Spring season of 2020.