“We’ve had some great players, many of them being the best players in the country,” Clarke said. “There are so many players, and it shows the depth of the squad. ”

Clarke, who began coaching at Quinnipiac in 1999, said his coaching style has evolved as the caliber of student-athletes has increased.

Team captain Lauren Triglione said she was appreciative of all of the support that Clarke gives to his players.

“Dave is a great leader who is always looking to do the right thing,” Triglione said. “He always has your best interest in mind as both a player and a person.”

Team captain Lauren Wendland said Clarke successfully shapes his players into honest and effective leaders.

“Dave teaches his players to be leaders on their own,” Wendland said. “He gives a lot of credit to the players and also holds them accountable for a lot. There are plenty of coaches who turn their head the other way when things aren’t going the right way. Dave, however, has created an environment where we can solve the issues that arise in an open and understanding space and that is special.”