Women's Lacrosse
Abby Thorne
- Title:
- Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
- Email:
- athorne@coastal.edu
- Phone:
- 843-349-2888
Abby Thorne was named the fourth head women’s lacrosse coach in Coastal Carolina University history, August 2026.
At 24, Thorne is the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse.
Thorne takes over the Chanticleer program after serving as an assistant coach during the 2026 season. Working primarily with the defense, she helped Coastal Carolina post a 10-8 record and advance to the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Championship for the fifth consecutive season.
With Thorne’s guidance, the Chanticleers ranked fourth in the ASUN in ground balls per game and fifth in caused turnovers. She also helped develop First Team All-ASUN defender Grace Lord, All-Freshman Team defender Rebekah Zentz and Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Senior All-Star Lily Wallace.
Thorne joined the Coastal Carolina staff in the summer of 2025 following an outstanding playing career at the University of Pittsburgh. A four-year letterwinner and team captain, she concluded her career as one of the most accomplished defensive players in program history.
The Adelaide, Australia, native finished her Pitt career ranked first in program history in caused turnovers (54), ground balls (92) and games started (68). She also ranked among the Panthers’ career leaders in games played.
Thorne started all 18 games during Pitt’s inaugural season in 2022 and became a foundational member of the program as it began competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
In 2025, Thorne received Pitt’s Script Writer Award, presented annually to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the athletics department’s commitment to excellence in competition, academics, leadership, community engagement and personal development. She also earned All-ACC Academic Team honors and was named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll.
Thorne continues to compete internationally for Australia. She was selected to the Australian Women’s National Team for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship and helped her country advance to the quarterfinals. Thorne previously represented Australia at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship and World Games and was selected to its senior national team for the 2025 World Games where earned a bronze medal.
She began representing Australia at the junior level, earning selection to the country’s U15 development team before advancing to its U18 and U19 national teams. Thorne helped Australia capture the bronze medal at the 2019 Women’s U19 World Championship.
Thorne earned her bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh in 2025.
At 24, Thorne is the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse.
Thorne takes over the Chanticleer program after serving as an assistant coach during the 2026 season. Working primarily with the defense, she helped Coastal Carolina post a 10-8 record and advance to the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Championship for the fifth consecutive season.
With Thorne’s guidance, the Chanticleers ranked fourth in the ASUN in ground balls per game and fifth in caused turnovers. She also helped develop First Team All-ASUN defender Grace Lord, All-Freshman Team defender Rebekah Zentz and Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Senior All-Star Lily Wallace.
Thorne joined the Coastal Carolina staff in the summer of 2025 following an outstanding playing career at the University of Pittsburgh. A four-year letterwinner and team captain, she concluded her career as one of the most accomplished defensive players in program history.
The Adelaide, Australia, native finished her Pitt career ranked first in program history in caused turnovers (54), ground balls (92) and games started (68). She also ranked among the Panthers’ career leaders in games played.
Thorne started all 18 games during Pitt’s inaugural season in 2022 and became a foundational member of the program as it began competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
In 2025, Thorne received Pitt’s Script Writer Award, presented annually to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the athletics department’s commitment to excellence in competition, academics, leadership, community engagement and personal development. She also earned All-ACC Academic Team honors and was named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll.
Thorne continues to compete internationally for Australia. She was selected to the Australian Women’s National Team for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship and helped her country advance to the quarterfinals. Thorne previously represented Australia at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship and World Games and was selected to its senior national team for the 2025 World Games where earned a bronze medal.
She began representing Australia at the junior level, earning selection to the country’s U15 development team before advancing to its U18 and U19 national teams. Thorne helped Australia capture the bronze medal at the 2019 Women’s U19 World Championship.
Thorne earned her bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh in 2025.
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