Ruth Bonner

Ruth (Ness) Bonner was most recently the head women's lacrosse coach at the US Coast Guard Academy; a program that begin its first season of competition as a varsity sport in the Spring of 2015. The Bears women's lacrosse program was elevated from club status and competes at the Division III level in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).

Bonner had been an assistant coach at Bowdoin College for two seasons before taking over at the Coast Guard Academy. The Polar Bears posted a record of 23-11 in those two seasons and advanced all the way to the Elite 8 in the 2013 NCAA Division III tournament. Prior to her time at Elms, Bonner had assistant coaching stints at Smith, Messiah and at the University of New England.

A native of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and a 2005 graduate of the University of New England, Ruth was the head women's lacrosse coach at Elms College in 2012 where she coached both the conference Goalie and Rookie of the Year and the team improved 14 out of 19 statistical categories from the previous season.

While an undergraduate at the University of New England, Ruth was a decorated two-sport athlete. In lacrosse, she was a four-year starter and four-time All-Commonwealth Coast Conference selection. In field hockey, she helped to start the school's program as a junior and served as a captain in both her junior and senior campaigns. She was named UNE's Female Athlete of the Year in 2005 and was the record holder for career points in both field hockey and lacrosse. Bonner graduated from UNE with a degree in Art Educational Studies and owns a Master's in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith.