Video presentation
When it came to being a part of championship teams, Jill Cosse was no stranger. A standout in both field hockey and women’s lacrosse, Cosse earned eight varsity letters and in each of those seasons the Lions advanced to the national semifinals and played in seven national championship games. In those title games, the College came away as the national champion on five occasions capturing the field hockey crown in 1990 and 1991, while claiming three straight lacrosse titles from 1991 to 1993.
Throughout her banner career, the teams she played on went an astounding 114-7-2, including four undefeated seasons.
On the field hockey field, Cosse played forward and enjoyed her best individual season when she served as a team captain in 1992. She scored three goals, including the game-winner in an exciting 1-0 win over Cortland State just prior to the NCAA Tournament, and added three assists. Her efforts were also recognized by her peers as she earned all-region honors and was then tabbed to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
In lacrosse, she was a steady contributor who stepped up when the game got bigger. In both 1992 and 1993, Cosse was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team playing a key role in the team’s title run. Following her senior campaign she was selected to participate in the IWLCA Women’s Collegiate North/South All-Star Lacrosse Game, which featured players from all NCAA levels throughout the country . During that 1993 season, she ranked among the team leaders in both goals and points, scoring 26 goals and 38 points.
After graduating from the College in 1993, Cosse went on to obtain her master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Connecticut. Cosse then returned to New Jersey where she embarked on a very successful coaching career at West Essex High School. Since joining the Knights, she has collected nearly 450 combined victories directing the field hockey and lacrosse programs. Along with all of the successful seasons have come a number of honors. In the last 10 years alone she has been recognized as the 2002
Star Ledger Statewide Coach of the Year in Lacrosse, 2005 Statewide Coach of the Year in Field hockey, 2005 Northeast Sectional Coach of the Year in Lacrosse, and the 2007 NJSIAA Coach of the Year in Field Hockey.
This marks the second time Cosse has been a part of an induction class as she became a member of the Wall Township High School Hall of Fame in 2001.
