University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Building the Pitt Program: Abby Thorne
7/6/2020 4:18:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Australian bronze medalist eager to join Pitt Lacrosse
PITTSBURGH – As a kid, Abby Thorne played several sports trying to find the perfect fit for her. When she was 10 years old, she first discovered lacrosse and immediately fell in love with the sport.
"I fell in love with lacrosse because of the freedom," Thorne said. "I enjoy the roughness of the sport but what I loved the most was that I had the chance to run like crazy."
Early in her career, Thorne joined the Brighton Lacrosse Club in South Australia. This club offered her the opportunity to develop her athletic skills while helping her make relationships with other coaches and players.
"Ever since I was a kid, the community and outstanding coaching at this club has helped me become a better player and a person. It is an amazing club and I am forever grateful for everyone there who has pushed me to the position I am in today," she said.
While on the Brighton Club U18 squad, Thorne assisted the team to a U18 state title and state league title. Thorne was named MVP of the U18 club team, state league club team, South Australian team and Nationals. As a result of her strong play throughout the season, Thorne was also named to the National U18 All-Star team.
"I am most proud of being a part of the 2019 U19 Australian Women's team and winning the bronze medal at the championship," Thorne said.
Playing at such an elite level as a high school student only solidified Thorne's decision to play collegiate lacrosse. Very early on, she knew that this was the goal she was working towards.
"During my first season, I knew someone that went to college to play and I remember thinking how lucky they were. Ever since that day, it has been my dream and I knew I would continue to push myself for that dream to come true," she said.
"The opportunity to play Division I, as well as being part of a start-up program is extremely exciting for an international student like myself. I want to improve in every area of my life academically and athletically, and I knew that Pitt was the best place for me to do this," Thorne said.
Thorne first heard of Pitt through head coach Emily Boissonneault. At the 2019 Women's Lacrosse Championship, Boissonneault coached against Thorne while working with Team Canada, noting Thorne's dedication and skill. When she was named head coach at Pitt, she reached out to Thorne and offered her a spot on the team.
"I think it is so exciting to be a part of the first ever team. Making history is a rare and unique opportunity for anyone, let alone an international student," said Thorne. "I think my teammates and I have a very important job of beginning a legacy that future Pitt students will be proud to be a part of."
After talking with Boissonneault, Thorne felt confident about her decision to join the Pitt program. Although she has not been able to step on campus yet, Thorne is eager to get to Pitt and start working with her new coaches.
"Emily had a huge impact on my decision to attend Pitt. The first time I talked with her, I could feel her passion and excitement for this program," Thorne said. "She made a huge impact on me and I am looking forward to being coached by someone who loves the game so much and has my best interests at heart."
In addition to building the program, Thorne is excited for the competition the ACC will bring.
"To become the best athlete you can, I believe you have to come up against the best competition," she said. "It will be hard work and we will certainly experience some highs and lows, but I know that as a team we will be up for the challenge."
For Thorne, the competition of the NCAA and ACC will be different than she is used to. As some rules and regulations differ from those in Australia, Thorne will be tasked with adjusting to both American and collegiate play.
"I think the way Australians and Americans play the sport is very different and I am certainly looking forward to experiencing a new type of play," Thorne said. "I know it will be a very aggressive and fast game and I'm hopeful my experience in the World Championships will help me adjust."
In the meantime, Thorne has been working part-time and continuing her training to be ready when she steps on campus in the fall.
"I am currently a part of the Senior Women's Australian squad, and it has been an amazing preparation for my athletics at Pitt," Thorne said. "I have been continually talking and communicating with my coaches about the steps I need to take to ensure I will be ready when I get to Pitt."
Moving from Australia to Pittsburgh was a big decision for Thorne to make, but she is confident she made the right decision and is ready to build the Pitt program.
"I am most excited to watch my teammates and myself build it to be a strong and competitive program full of connected and passionate girls," Thorne said. "I am already so proud and grateful to be a part of such an amazing legacy and I can't wait to watch it grow for many years to come"
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"I fell in love with lacrosse because of the freedom," Thorne said. "I enjoy the roughness of the sport but what I loved the most was that I had the chance to run like crazy."
Early in her career, Thorne joined the Brighton Lacrosse Club in South Australia. This club offered her the opportunity to develop her athletic skills while helping her make relationships with other coaches and players.
"Ever since I was a kid, the community and outstanding coaching at this club has helped me become a better player and a person. It is an amazing club and I am forever grateful for everyone there who has pushed me to the position I am in today," she said.
While on the Brighton Club U18 squad, Thorne assisted the team to a U18 state title and state league title. Thorne was named MVP of the U18 club team, state league club team, South Australian team and Nationals. As a result of her strong play throughout the season, Thorne was also named to the National U18 All-Star team.
"I am most proud of being a part of the 2019 U19 Australian Women's team and winning the bronze medal at the championship," Thorne said.
Playing at such an elite level as a high school student only solidified Thorne's decision to play collegiate lacrosse. Very early on, she knew that this was the goal she was working towards.
"During my first season, I knew someone that went to college to play and I remember thinking how lucky they were. Ever since that day, it has been my dream and I knew I would continue to push myself for that dream to come true," she said.
"The opportunity to play Division I, as well as being part of a start-up program is extremely exciting for an international student like myself. I want to improve in every area of my life academically and athletically, and I knew that Pitt was the best place for me to do this," Thorne said.
Thorne first heard of Pitt through head coach Emily Boissonneault. At the 2019 Women's Lacrosse Championship, Boissonneault coached against Thorne while working with Team Canada, noting Thorne's dedication and skill. When she was named head coach at Pitt, she reached out to Thorne and offered her a spot on the team.
"I think it is so exciting to be a part of the first ever team. Making history is a rare and unique opportunity for anyone, let alone an international student," said Thorne. "I think my teammates and I have a very important job of beginning a legacy that future Pitt students will be proud to be a part of."
After talking with Boissonneault, Thorne felt confident about her decision to join the Pitt program. Although she has not been able to step on campus yet, Thorne is eager to get to Pitt and start working with her new coaches.
"Emily had a huge impact on my decision to attend Pitt. The first time I talked with her, I could feel her passion and excitement for this program," Thorne said. "She made a huge impact on me and I am looking forward to being coached by someone who loves the game so much and has my best interests at heart."
In addition to building the program, Thorne is excited for the competition the ACC will bring.
"To become the best athlete you can, I believe you have to come up against the best competition," she said. "It will be hard work and we will certainly experience some highs and lows, but I know that as a team we will be up for the challenge."
For Thorne, the competition of the NCAA and ACC will be different than she is used to. As some rules and regulations differ from those in Australia, Thorne will be tasked with adjusting to both American and collegiate play.
"I think the way Australians and Americans play the sport is very different and I am certainly looking forward to experiencing a new type of play," Thorne said. "I know it will be a very aggressive and fast game and I'm hopeful my experience in the World Championships will help me adjust."
In the meantime, Thorne has been working part-time and continuing her training to be ready when she steps on campus in the fall.
"I am currently a part of the Senior Women's Australian squad, and it has been an amazing preparation for my athletics at Pitt," Thorne said. "I have been continually talking and communicating with my coaches about the steps I need to take to ensure I will be ready when I get to Pitt."
Moving from Australia to Pittsburgh was a big decision for Thorne to make, but she is confident she made the right decision and is ready to build the Pitt program.
"I am most excited to watch my teammates and myself build it to be a strong and competitive program full of connected and passionate girls," Thorne said. "I am already so proud and grateful to be a part of such an amazing legacy and I can't wait to watch it grow for many years to come"
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