WATERVILLE – Julie Veilleux has been named head coach of women’s basketball at Colby College.

Veilleux, a former standout at Cony High and the University of Maine, takes over for interim coach Christine Clancy, who served for a year after Lori Gear McBride left to become head coach at Vermont. The Mules were 22-6 under Clancy and 24-5 the previous season under McBride, reaching the NCAA Division III tournament each year.

Clancy also was a finalist for the job, according to Colby Athletic Director Marcella Zalot.

“Julie really captivated our search committee with her energy and her presence,” Zalot said. “She has such an emotional connection to Colby as her father (Gary) is an alum of the college and she grew up attending basketball camp on campus.”

Veilleux previously was an assistant coach under Stefanie Pemper at both Bowdoin and Navy.

“I knew in my heart this was something (I was) going to end up doing,” Veilleux said. “It really is a dream spot.”

Veilleux was at Navy the past three years, and was involved with recruiting, scouting and summer camps. In practice she worked primarily with post players, although she was a guard at Maine.

“I understand the post much better since being a coach,” she said.

Navy reached the NCAA Division I tournament for the first time this season, and Veilleux made telling contributions.

“The past six years she has developed wonderfully as a basketball coach and a mentor, and was instrumental in our teams’ success at Bowdoin and Navy,” Pemper said. “She will be a terrific leader for Colby.”

Two current players, Rachel Mack and Aarika Ritchie, were on the interview committee.

“We’re all really excited,” Mack said. “We think she can bring a fresh perspective and take us to the next level.

“Everyone got to meet her and get a feel for what we should expect.”

BASEBALL

ST. JOSEPH’S 13, LASELL 9: Alex Lorenc and Mike Pratt each hit two-run homers as the top-seeded Monks (27-11) scored nine times in the bottom of the eighth and defeated No. 4 Lasell (21-14) in the GNAC quarterfinals at Standish.

The Lasers led 9-4 after scoring five runs on four hits in the top of the eighth. Ian Lee started the Monks’ comeback with an RBI double. Lorenc followed with a two-run shot to left-center field, and Sam Butts tied the game with a two-out, two-run single.

Todd Keneborus followed with a two-run double to give St. Joseph’s an 11-9 lead, and Pratt added a two-run drive over the left-field fence.

Tyler Laverriere pitched a scoreless ninth with a pair of strikeouts to close out the Lasers.

Chris Campbell went 5 for 5 for the Monks, including a solo homer.

 

BRIDGTON ACADEMY 10, SOUTHERN MAINE CC 6: Joey McCarthy had a pair of two-run doubles and was the winning pitcher as the Wolverines downed the Seawolves (10-19) at Bridgton.

Shawn Kenney had two hits and scored three runs for Bridgton.

MEN’S LACROSSE

MOUNT IDA 13, ST. JOSEPH’S 0: Matt Savage scored three goals, and Nick Yacuzzi and Dan Harrington each had two as the Mustangs (10-7) defeated the Monks (10-8) in a GNAC semifinal at Newton, Mass.

Christopher Driscoll stopped 15 shots for the Monks.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

GEORGIA: Coach Mark Fox received a $400,000 raise and a one-year extension after taking the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament this season.

Georgia’s athletic board announced that Fox will receive a raise from $1.3 million to $1.7 million and his contract has been extended through the 2016 season.