Uconn Womens Lacrosse Coaches Multisportathletes

Neary Inducted into Temple Athletics Hall of Fame

 

Cabrini College head field hockey and lacrosse coach Jackie Neary added another honor to her resume on Saturday. Along with other members of Temple University's 1984 women's lacrosse team, Neary was inducted into the Temple University Athletics' Hall of Fame.  The induction ceremony took place at Temple's Homecoming football game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 15.

During Neary's years with the Owls, Temple went 60-8-3 and reached the national semifinals all four years.  Neary was named to the Brine/IWLCA All-America First Team following her senior season in 1986.

After falling to New Hampshire in the 1983 NCAA national semifinals, the Owls reached the NCAA final game in 1984 and toppled Maryland 6-4 to win the school's first NCAA Women's Lacrosse title.

Neary was also an assistant coach for her alma mater's women's lacrosse team from 1991-94.

Neary started the Cabrini lacrosse program in 1997 and immediately led the program to success, going 15-0 in the program's second year.  Since then, Neary has amassed 195 victories and 10 Colonial States Athletic Conference crowns.   She has also been named CSAC Coach of the Year five times, last earning the honor in 2010.

Former Lacrosse Standout Passafiume Named Assistant Coach at High Point

High Point University has added Staci Passafiume as assistant coach for the 2012 season, head coach Lyndsey Boswell announced on Wednesday. Passafiume joins the coaching ranks after an All-American playing career at C.W. Post, where she helped the team to an NCAA Div. II Championship.

"We're very excited to have Staci join our staff – she's young, enthusiastic and ready to get started on her collegiate coaching career," said Boswell. "I got a very good recommendation from her former coach Megan McNamara, who is a good friend and colleague. Staci has a winning background, a positive attitude and will be a great asset on the field, especially working with our goalies."

In her senior season at C.W. Post in 2010, Passafiume was a first-team All-American and led the team with 42 assists and 71 points. She also scored 29 goals and picked up 44 ground balls. The attacker also collected All-East Coast Conference and ECAC All-Star accolades.

In addition to C.W. Post's 2007 NCAA title, the Pioneers made it to the Final Four in each of the four seasons Passafiume was on the roster and the team went 66-7 in that time. She helped the Pioneers to a perfect 17-0 record en route to the program's second national title in 2007. She played in all 17 games that season, scoring 14 goals and collecting 15 ground balls.

Passafiume was a three-time All-Conference honoree while also earning second-team All-America honors as a junior. She was also a three-time All-East Coast Conference All-Academic selection. Passafiume graduated from C.W. Post in May 2010 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Originally from Port Jefferson, N.Y., Passafiume collected All-League and All-County accolades while at Comsewogue High School.

Passafiume has previously coached at the club level and high school level. For the 2011 season, she was an assistant coach for the Comsewogue girls' varsity team. She spent the summer of 2006 working for the Long Island Yellow Jackets. She taught fundamental lacrosse skills to 12- and 13-year-old girls while scheduling and organizing practices.

Passafiume joins Boswell and assistant coach Whitney Michele for High Point University's second season of women's lacrosse. In their inaugural season in 2011, the Panthers went 15-4 and set a record for wins by a first-year NCAA Div. I program. High Point beat Jacksonville in the National Lacrosse Conference title game and featured the NLC Player of the Year, Grace Gaeng, as well as four other All-Conference selections.

DeJuliis Named Assistant Coach of the Year

Assistant Princeton women's lacrosse coach Michele DeJuliis has been named the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Assistant Coach of the Year, it was announced at the IWLCA annual convention in Naples, Fla.
DeJuliis is in her seventh year as an assistant coach at Princeton. During her time, the Tigers have posted an 80-44 record and a 37-12 mark in the Ivy League. She has helped coached Princeton to five NCAA appearances, reaching the quarterfinals each time. In her six years, DeJuliis has coached 12 IWLCA All-Americas, 12 Tewaaraton nominees and 30 All-Ivy League honorees.
"I couldn't be happier for DJ on this well deserved honor," head coach Chris Sailer said. "DJ has given so much to the Princeton program over the past seven years and is an inspiration to our players every day. In my mind, DJ could win this award every year, but it's especially fitting that she won it in 2011, a year which saw the Tigers rebound from a tough season the year before to become Ivy League Tournament Champions and NCAA Quarterfinalists. In addition to working with players in improve their individual skills and techniques, DJ helped our team to believe in themselves and in what they could accomplish together, which was even more important to our success." The purpose of the Outstanding Assistant Coach Award is to recognize an assistant who has made a distinct impact on the success of their program, demonstrated through hard work, commitment, dedication and sportsmanship.

Two-Time All-American Alex Mundy Joins Yale Staff

Alex Mundy, a two-time All-American who was a part of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances at Vanderbilt, has joined the Yale women's lacrosse staff as an assistant coach. She and returnee Jillian Byers, a four-time All-American for Notre Dame, form the staff under Anne Phillips, who is entering her fourth season as Yale's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse.
Mundy, a native of Ellicott City, Md., graduated from Vanderbilt in 2010 with a B.S. in economics and a B.S. in political science, minoring in managerial studies and corporate strategy. She was on Vanderbilt's dean's list and made the SEC's Academic Honor Roll in 2007.
A defender, Mundy was a second team All-American in 2010 and a third-team All-American in 2009. In her senior season she was a nominee for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the best player in college lacrosse, and she was a first team All-ALC selection and ALC All-Tournament selection. She captained the team to a 12-6 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Mundy was also a first team All-ALC selection and ALC All-Tournament selection in her junior year.
Mundy will work with the Yale defense, which includes three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen this year.
"Alex's experience as a two-time All-American and former captain at Vanderbilt, where she was a part of four NCAA tournament appearances, make her a great addition to our staff," said Phillips. "Without any seniors on defense this year, she will have a young group to work with and mold going forward."
In addition to her work on the field at Vanderbilt, Mundy was extremely active in the community. She was a National Student Representative with the Student Athletic Association Committee, attending conferences and organizing community service activities as a representative of Vanderbilt's women's varsity athletic programs. She was student coordinator with the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Dance Marathon starting in 2007, serving as an escort/mentor for children in the hospital fashion show. That same year she also began volunteering at the Nashville Food Bank, a role she continued through her senior year. In 2008 Mundy joined the team recruitment committee for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser and also began working with local children with brain tumors.
In addition to playing for Vanderbilt, Mundy was also a finalist for the U.S. National Team in August of 2009. After graduation, she went to work for Insight Global in Burlington, Mass., where she was a technical recruiter and an account manager. She has also worked for numerous lacrosse clubs and camps.
Mundy, who was born in Baltimore, was a US Lacrosse and Under Armour All-American while at Glenelg High School. She also earned Academic All-America honors there.

Former Women's Lacrosse Standout Rosecrans Named Assistant Coach

Coming off of one of the most successful seasons in program history, Siena Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Andrea Duffy is looking to the past in hopes of elevating her team to more success in the future. Duffy has tabbed former Siena great Lindsey Rosecrans '09 as the program's new assistant coach.
"I am excited to have Lindsey on board as an assistant coach," said Duffy. "She brings a wealth of knowledge with her from her playing and coaching experience. I have great respect for Lindsey as both a player and a coach and I am looking forward to working with her. Her passion for the game and dedication to mentoring student-athletes is exactly what we are looking for here at Siena to help us continue building our women's lacrosse program."
A 2009 Siena College graduate and native of nearby Niskayuna, Rosecrans spent the past two seasons working under head coach Peter Melito at her alma mater of Niskayuna High. Under her guidance the Silver Warriors posted a 27-8 (.771) record and won back-to-back Section II Championships while advancing to the Regional Finals both years.
At Niskayuna, Rosecrans coached current Saint Shannon Pfohl as well as incoming freshman Alyssa Treanor. Additionally, she mentored All-Americans Ritchie Assini and Kayla Treanor, who is the No. 2 prospect in the nation according to ESPN RISE.


Rosecrans also served for one season as a volunteer assistant coach at nearby RPI and has been a head coach for both the Albany Elite and Albany Power Club Lacrosse teams. Rosecrans enjoyed one of the finest careers in Siena Women's Lacrosse history and upon graduation was the program's all-time leader in points (153), goals (120) and draw controls (111). In Duffy's first season as head coach in 2009, Rosecrans was named to the All-MAAC First Team after breaking the school's single-season record with 65 points.
Rosecrans is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Psychology at the University at Albany. She joins a Siena Women's Lacrosse program which finished the 2011 season 8-8 and advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC Championships for a second consecutive season.

Kellogg Added to Lacrosse Coaching Staff

NORFOLK, Va. - Former Old Dominion lacrosse standout Ashley Kellogg is joining the Lady Monarchs coaching staff, interim head coach Heather Holt announced on Monday.
"We are very excited to have Ashley Kellogg return to our program. She was an outstanding student-athlete both on the field and in the classroom during her career," Holt said. "Ashley's great work ethic and passion for the program and Old Dominion University will only add to the excitement that we have been building on the team for the 2012 season."
Kellogg was a four-year starter from 2007-10, and ranks seventh in career points with 152 and fourth in goals with 128. She was a two-time All-CAA performer as well.
"I would like to thank Heather and the athletic administration for giving me an opportunity to once again be a part of the Old Dominion Women's Lacrosse program," Kellogg said. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to learn from Heather and work with such a talented and enthusiastic group of girls."
ODU begins its season on Feb. 26 when they host Louisville.

Sailer to be Inducted in New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame

Princeton head women's lacrosse coach Chris Sailer will be inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame at the 15th annual induction ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 15 at Neilson Dining Hall at Rutgers.
The dinner event will run from 5-8 pm and registration for admission is available on line at www.njlacrosse.org
This will be the sixth Hall of Fame Sailer will become a part of. In 2008, she was inducted into the US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame. She is also a member of Haverford High School Hall of Fame, Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame, New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Pennsylvania Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
In her 26 years at the helm of the Princeton program, Sailer has won three NCAA championships, made 11 national semifinal appearances and 19 total NCAA appearances. The Tigers have won nine Ivy League titles under the three-time national Coach of the Year and six-time regional Coach of the Year. Sailer ranks second among active DI coaches in victories and has coached the most games in NCAA Tournament history.
It will be a big week for Sailer who will speak at the US Lacrosse Convention in Philadelphia on Jan. 14.

Swords Adds Gunning To Lacrosse Staff

University of Cincinnati women’s lacrosse head coach Lellie Swords announced the addition of Lauren Gunning to her staff today.
“We are really excited for Lauren to join our staff,” Swords said. “She brings a high energy and excitement to the staff.  Having played in the BIG EAST during her college career, she knows our opponents really well so she will hit the ground running this spring.”
Gunning, a four-year attack for the Connecticut Huskies, comes to Cincinnati after serving as an assistant coach at Iona College. She assisted in running and planning daily practice and helped with team travel logistics. Gunning also maintained the recruiting database and corresponded with potential recruits, while working directly with the attack unit focusing on individual development and cohesion.
Additionally, Gunning has participated in a number of lacrosse clinics around the country, including Duke and Georgetown. She served as a camp counselor, helping high school players develop skill and game awareness.
Outside of coaching, she has been a product representative at deBeer/Gait Lacrosse, when she promoted new technology and equipment. She has also actively volunteered with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation and Husky Sport, an organization aimed at promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, life skills and academic excellence to elementary school kids in Hartford, Conn.
Gunning, a Hunt Valley, Md. native, graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s in sport management. She was named to the BIG EAST All-Academic team all four years and was deemed Connecticut’s Outstanding Senior Athlete in 2011.

McDevitt Tabbed as Head Women's Lacrosse Coach

  After an extensive national search by the athletics department, Oberlin College Delta Lodge Director of Athletics William Roth has named Jacqueline McDevitt as the school’s Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach.

McDevitt comes to Oberlin from Occidental College (California) where she spent last two seasons as the lead assistant for the Tigers. While at Oxy, McDevitt’s tireless recruiting efforts paid dividends as she helped yield 20 incoming athletes for the classes of 2014 and 2015. In her second season, she also helped the Tigers win four more games than the previous year while mentoring a defensive unit that shaved off over two goals per game from their 2010 total.

“I would like to thank Director of Athletics William Roth and Associate Athletics Director Natalie Winkelfoos for this amazing opportunity to be the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Oberlin College,” McDevitt said. “The minute I stepped foot on campus, I knew this was where great things were going to happen. I am extremely excited about facilitating the next era of Oberlin women’s lacrosse and I know we have all of the right ingredients for success, a phenomenal liberal arts education, a highly supportive administration, and most importantly committed student-athletes. I cannot wait to get started.”

Prior to her arrival at Occidental, McDevitt served as an assistant coach at Union College (New York) in 2009 where she worked as the goalie coach and helped the team reach the NCAA Sweet 16.

From 2006-2008, McDevitt spent two seasons as the top assistant for the Marist College Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie, New York. While there she was a part of a coaching staff that produced a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Six All-MAAC selections and 12 Academic All-MAAC recipients.

“I am extremely pleased to have Jacqueline McDevitt join the Oberlin Athletics community as our next Head Coach for Women's Lacrosse,” Roth said. “Throughout her career, Coach McDevitt has consistently made a significant impact in building excellent programs and developing outstanding women. Her genuine appreciation for the College's challenging academics and tight-knit culture coupled with her insightful coaching vision and personal passion for the sport of lacrosse distinguished her during our search process. I am certain that Coach McDevitt will thoughtfully and tirelessly commit herself to elevate our women's program to national prominence and in the process thoroughly enhance the experiences of our female student-athletes. She is a flat-out winner and I am confident she will be a positive force in the lives of our players and will help shape the broader success of athletics at Oberlin.”

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, McDevitt recently started her own lacrosse company, LeftCoast Laxin, which serves as an information source regarding all things women’s lacrosse. Furthermore, she has also been the head coach for two lacrosse clubs – the Wave Lacrosse Club (California) and the Ultimate Lacrosse Club (Pennsylvania/New Jersey).

A 2006 graduate of Long Island University, McDevitt earned degrees in marketing and business management.  She was a three-year letter winner for the Blackbirds and was regarded as a tenacious defender.
McDevitt will officially begin her duties with Oberlin on November 1.

Taylor Frink Joins Women's Lacrosse Staff

Longwood University women's lacrosse interim head coach Wendy Stone has announced the addition of Taylor Frink as the women's lacrosse assistant coach.  Frink is a 2011 graduate of the University at Albany where she earned numerous honors while a student-athlete on the Great Dane's lacrosse team, including her highest achievment as an IWLCA Division I Second Team All-American that she earned as a senior.

“I am extremely excited to welcome Taylor into the Lancer Lacrosse family,” said Stone.  “She was an integral part of Albany's record-setting 2011 season, and our program will benefit tremendously from her experience.  Taylor brings with her not only a deep understanding and extensive knowledge of the game, stemming from her storied playing career, but also the experience of building a team from the ground up.  We are fortunate to have someone with such a tremendous work ethic and passion for the game on staff; I look forward to working with her both on and off the field.”

Frink was a four-year starter for the Albany women's lacrosse team where she was named to the All-America East Conference Second Team as a junior and the All-America East First Team as a senior.  Other honors include IWLCA Division I All-Northeast Region First Team, Synapse Sports Division I All-America Second Team, WomensLax.com Division I All-America Team, America East All-Championship Team, while being the first UAlbany player to be nominated for the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top player.  She also served as a camp instructor for three years, twice at Albany and once at Fredonia State University.  

During her senior season, Albany went undefeated (16-0) during the regular season before its only loss to eventual national champion Northwestern in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.  Frink also led the America East in scoring and the nation in assists (2.58 pg), and was 10th in scoring with 4.76 points per game, establishing program single-season records for assists (49) and points (83) this past spring. She finished her UA career fifth in scoring (171p), first in assists (82) and tied for 10th in goals (89).

She is a native of Baldwinsville, New York, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from UA

Women's lacrosse adds Sarah Gallion to coaching staff

 The JU women’s lacrosse team will have a fresh face on the coaching staff as head coach Mindy McCord added former Johns Hopkins standout Sarah Gallion to the fold as a volunteer assistant.
Gallion brings a wealth of experience as a coach and player to the JU program. She will fill the role vacated by former graduate assistant coach Jen Heup, who finished her master’s degree in the spring.
“We’re excited to add someone who has excelled as a coach and player to our staff,” McCord said. “Sarah has been already been a successful coach at the high school and club levels and I can’t wait for her to bring her skills and experience to help our program.”
Gallion made a quick transition from star player to the coaching ranks. She most recently coached in the Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic, leading her team to a tournament championship at the prestigious all-American Showcase for her club program, the LaxManiax Elite. Her teams earned undefeated records at two major northern tournaments competing against the nation’s top club programs.
Gallion also served as head coach of local prep powerhouse Bartram Trail, helping the squad remain one of the top programs in north Florida with consecutive district championships. During her tenure, the Bears posted a 42-13 cumulative record. Her final senior class saw four players move on to college teams, including three who earned Division I scholarships.
Prior to coaching with Bartram Trail and the LaxManiax, Gallion coached her former prep club team, North East Maryland Select (NEMS). She gained her first coaching experience during her time at Johns Hopkins, working with the Little Jays youth league team.
A former captain and four-year varsity starter for Blue Jays, Gallion twice was named her school’s “Defensive Player of the Year” award. As a senior, she earned all-American Lacrosse Conference honors in 2008.
Gallion played in the prestigious IWLCA North-South Senior all-star game as a defender, helping her South team to a win. The appearance capped a stellar career in which the Bel Air, Md. native also earned Second Team All-ALC and Second Team Mid-Atlantic Region honors as a sophomore.
Gallion starred for Maryland’s C. Milton Wright High School from 2001-04 and was a four-year starter and varsity MVP her junior and senior seasons. She was a team captain and earned first-team all-Baltimore Metro in her final two seasons.

Christie Kaestner Named Assistant Lacrosse Coach

Lacrosse head coach Jaime Sellers has announced that Christie Kaestner will join her staff as the program's first assistant coach.
Kaestner will primarily work with the offense and serve as the program's recruiting coordinator, and will assist in all other aspects of the program.
"I am excited to have Christie join the Chanticleer family. It was clear in our first conversation how passionate she is about the game of lacrosse and how motivated she is to accomplish her goal of becoming a successful college coach," said Sellers.
"Christie's athletic background and the success she has had are indicative of the type of excellence Coastal Carolina lacrosse strives to exemplify. Previously serving as the `quarterback' of her alma mater's offense, she has the first-hand experience I was looking for as she played, worked and won in a highly competitive program, which is where we hope to be in the future.
Originating from Maryland, a traditional hotbed of lacrosse, Christie also brings a wealth of knowledge of the surrounding region's schools and club organizations, which will prove to be vital to our recruiting process."
Kaestner was a standout player at Duke where she accumulated multiple awards and records. As a senior in 2011, Kaestner earned first team All-American and first team All-ACC honors as she led the Blue Devils to the NCAA Semifinals. She was also tabbed to the IWLCA All-South Region team in both 2010 and 2011. Kaestner finished her Blue Devil career with 93 goals and 98 assists to rank ninth all-time in the Duke annuals with 191 points. During her senior campaign, Kaestner set the Duke single-season assists record with 47 on her way to ranking second all-time with 98.
Kaestner, a three-time member of the ACC Honor Roll, graduated in 2011 with a bachelor of arts in Sociology, as well as a Markets and Management certificate.
Sellers and Kaestner will use the 2011-12 academic year to build a schedule, develop the infrastructure of the program and recruit a team that will begin competition in spring 2013. Coastal's lacrosse program, along with the Chanticleers' other 17 sports, will compete in the Big South Conference, which will add lacrosse as its 19th championship sponsored sport in spring 2013; the lacrosse champion will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. Joining Coastal Carolina in the seven-team league will be Campbell, associate member Davidson, High Point, Liberty, Presbyterian and Winthrop.

Spiders Welcome Additional Assistant Coach

The University of Richmond Athletic Department and Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Stephy Samaras Mantziaras announce today the hiring of her sister Crista Samaras as temporary assistant coach for the 2012 season. The late hire is a result of Mantziaras' pregnancy. She is due January 16th, 2012 with her first child.
"I am so excited to have my sister join our staff for the upcoming season," said Samaras Mantziaras. "She is one of the greatest minds in the lacrosse world and I am thrilled for our program and our players to be able to add her to our coaching line-up in 2012.  We intend to capitalize on her capacity to be creative, think outside of the box and bring her dynamic and famously charismatic presence to the Women's Lacrosse program here at Richmond."
Currently, Crista heads up the company she created called Bounce Entertainment, which powers local lacrosse clubs teams in Atlanta, California, Connecticut and Texas as well as XTEAM, a national club team for girls from non-traditional areas that want to pursue playing lacrosse in college.  Samaras grew up in the center of the lacrosse universe in Annapolis, MD, and has dedicated her career to teaching the game to players and coaches across the country.  She is known for her ability to mentor, motivate and inspire teenage girls to find their own path in life through lacrosse.
A Politics major at Princeton University, Samaras still holds all of the scoring records she set upon graduation in 1999.  After college, she was the Assistant Coach at Yale for both the 2000 and 2001 seasons.  She moved to New York City and has been living there since 2001.  Samaras was on the USA Team from 1995-2007 and participated in two World Cup Championships, winning the gold in 2001 and the silver in 2005.  She has held nearly every position in the lacrosse industry from Women's Editor at Inside Lacrosse Magazine to Director of Women's Lacrosse for Warrior Sports.
"It's an honor to be asked to join this program," said Crista Samaras.  "I am impressed by Stephy's impact at Richmond and look forward to working with, learning from and adding to the existing staff."
Samaras' role will be temporary as this situation is unprecedented.  "When I found out over the summer I was pregnant, my two main focuses became the health of my baby and the success of our program," explains Mantziaras.  "With a pregnancy, the birth and following weeks, things can be uncertain and I wanted to make sure that I could spend the time I needed to with a newborn and make sure that the team was still prepared for the upcoming season. Hiring Crista will allow me to have confidence and assurance that both of my goals for this year are met."
Samaras took a little convincing as she will be taking time away from her company to dedicate to the program.  "I love what I do and working with our amazing staff of directors and coaches dedicated to helping girls develop their game as well as their self esteem.  The experience I will get coaching at this level will allow me so many more ideas for creating an entirely new wave of curriculum upon my return to Bounce and to XTEAM."
Samaras' job responsibilities  will be focused to all on field lacrosse from practice planning, individual and unit preparation and preparing the team to play the high ranked out of conference schedule at the start of the season.
The Spiders open their season at home against ACC foes Duke and UNC, both ranked pre-season in the top 5 in the country. Friday, February 17th they will face Duke at 3pm and Sunday, February 19th they will square off against UNC at 2pm. Prior to the game against UNC the Spiders will host their 3rd annual Spring Refresher clinic for girls ages 8-18. Both games and the clinic will be held in Robins Stadium. Click here for more information on the refresher clinic.

Achilles Joins the William Smith Coaching Staff

William Smith Head Lacrosse Coach Pat Genovese recently introduced Morgan Achilles as the newest member of her coaching staff. Achilles will assist with all aspects of the program, with an emphasis on working with the defense and goalies.

A Geneva native, Achilles played four years of collegiate lacrosse, primarily as a goalie. She played for two years at Monroe Community College and then transferred to St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, N.C. In her first season at MCC, the team logged a 13-3 record, won the NJCAA regional tournament and advanced to the national semifinals. She earned all-region honors and was selected to the NJCAA regional and national all-tournament teams. In her sophomore season, the Tribunes won the NJCAA regional tournament and advanced to the national championship. For the second straight year, Achilles earned a spot on the regional and national NJCAA all-tournament teams. At St. Andrews, she served as captain in her junior and senior seasons. Achilles earned the Knight's award, a coach's award for outstanding play, and was selected to compete in the IWLCA North-South All-Star game after her senior season.

Achilles' lacrosse experience also includes time as a coach. She served as a volunteer lacrosse coach for her alma mater, Geneva High School, during the summer of 2009. Achilles also spent the summer working as a camp counselor at the Top Shelf Lacrosse Camp in Buffalo, N.Y. She served as a counselor at Hobart and William Smith's Summer Day Camp, supervising and organizing lacrosse activities and working specifically with goalies.

Achilles graduated in May 2011 from St. Andrews with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies focused in business administration, therapeutic horsemanship and Spanish.

William Smith will start the 2012 season on March 10, when the Herons host Nazareth on Boswell Field beginning at 3 p.m.

Venechanos Named Canadian National Team Coach

The Canadian Lacrosse Association is pleased to announce the selection of Alexis Venechanos as the Head Coach of Canada's 2013 Women's World Cup National Team.
Alexis brings with her an impressive list of accomplishments and knowledge of the women's game. A winner on every level, Venechanos (pronounced: ven-eh-CHAN-ohs) has been a part of four NCAA titles (as a player and coach) and a total of eight conference championships. Her infectious energy, athlete centred approach to coaching and a genuine desire to challenge and be challenged should prove to be a winning formula for Canada's best senior women players.
Alexis is currently the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Ohio State University, a position she's held since July of 2010. Prior to that, as Head Coach at the University of Massachusetts, she led her team to postseason play for the first time in over 20 years in her third season and repeated in her fourth and final season there. Her coaching career started at Northwestern University where she served for three seasons as the first assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, primarily mentoring goalkeepers and defense, and helped the Wildcats to their first two of a string of consecutive national championships.
As a player, Alexis was a four-year member of the winningest women's lacrosse program of all-time at the University of Maryland, and part of two NCAA championships with the team. In her final year, she was named an All American, National Goalie of the Year, and team captain.
The Canadian Lacrosse Association Women's National Team Director, Joanne Stanga summed up the exciting future of the 2013 World Cup team under the leadership of Venechanos. "The CLA views the national team program as an investment in the development of Canadian lacrosse at all levels and in next generation national team members. With the implementation of the new national team strategy, a committed long-term investment in national team programs, and strong leadership to guide our World Cup Team, Canadians will certainly have something to share in and celebrate when all eyes are on Canada in 2013 and we proudly host and compete on home soil."

Moore Named First Coach at Stetson

Stetson University Director of Athletics Jeff Altier announced today that Nicole Moore has been selected to lead the Hatters' new NCAA Division I women's lacrosse program.
Stetson will field its first women's lacrosse team as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference in the spring of 2013. The A-Sun will have a seven team league for women's lacrosse, a group that will include Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Detroit, Howard and Longwood in addition to the Hatters.
"I am really excited about bringing Nicole in to be our first women's lacrosse coach," Altier said. "She comes very highly recommended from some of the best coaches in the country and she has an abundance of experience as an assistant coach. I believe she is ready to make this step. It is time for her to be a head coach.
"I am confident that Nicole is the right choice to help Stetson University get its women's lacrosse program off and running, and lead us into the Atlantic Sun Conference."
Moore comes to Stetson from the University of Vermont after where she has spent the last two seasons. Prior to her time with the Catamounts, Moore spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Temple University (2007-10). She worked primarily with the Owl defenders and helped guide Temple to a spot in the Atlantic-10 Tournament over the last three years. The Owls won the A-10 Championship in 2008 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament that season.
"I would like to thank Jeff Altier and the rest of the Stetson Athletic Administration for the opportunity to join the Stetson family and build the Stetson Lacrosse program," Moore said. "I would also like to thank the UVM administration for their support, and the great mentorship and support from both Bonnie Rosen (Temple) and Sandy Bridgeman (New Hampshire).
"Once I stepped onto the beautiful campus at Stetson and met the administrators and coaches of the Stetson Athletic department, I knew there was something very special here. The prestigious academics, coupled with a very successful vision of Stetson Lacrosse, were both huge draws for me to the university. There is a true feeling of pride, camaraderie and support, on campus and in the department. I knew I would fit in perfectly and would help to contribute to the success of Stetson, both in the classroom and on the field."
Prior to joining the Owl coaching staff, Moore served as an assistant coach at Canisius (2004-06). During her stint with the Lady Griffins she coached four All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference players, including an MAAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and a Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
"This is a great move for both Nicole and Stetson University," Canisius head coach Scott Teeter said. "I'm very excited for her and believe she is the perfect person to build the Hatter program. Nicole brings a great amount of lacrosse knowledge with her. She has learned a number of coaching styles during her tenure and I have the full confidence that she will be able to implement the right system to lead the Stetson program."
In 2005, Moore helped the Lady Griffins to the program's first winning season in history with a 9-6 record. In 2006, the squad finished second in the MAAC with a 12-7 record. While at Canisius, Moore also served as an assistant coach and player on the MAAC All-Stars team in the International Friendship Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.
Liz Grote, the head coach at Division III power Bowdoin College in Maine, echoed Teeter's sentiments.
"With the rapid growth of women's lacrosse at all levels, you couldn't choose a better person than Nicole Moore to start up a program at Stetson," Grote said. "Nicole is one of the most dedicated coaches I have come across in the lacrosse world, a true class act. She will work hard to bring in the quality student athlete that fits Stetson while building a fantastic program from the ground up.
"Nicole has a commitment to team, she knows that it's not just x's and o's that win games, but that team building, relationships and leadership is what makes that happen. I am excited to see what Nicole does as the new head coach at Stetson University."
Moore said she plans to hit the ground running when she gets to Stetson. The first priority is to hit the recruiting trail and to get acquainted with the coaches and teams across Florida and the southeast.
"Stetson has a tremendous foundation already established in both academics and athletics here in Florida and I am proud to get Stetson Lacrosse on the national scene," Moore said. "The state of Florida produces great athletes and I am excited to bring in top student athletes from Florida and nationwide to Stetson University to help build the program and create the success that is envisioned by the Stetson Administration and myself."
One of the many ways Moore plans to use to reach potential student-athletes is through the use of social media. She is an active blogger on the web site and is active on Twitter. Potential student-athletes can reach out to her as well at lacrosse@stetson.edu or can contact her at her office at 386-822-8188.
Upon graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2002 with a degree in English, Moore took a job as the director of lacrosse at the Casterton School, an independent boarding school in Lancashire, England. She also worked as a coaching officer in the English Lacrosse Association.
In addition to her duties at Casterton, she was in charge of running elite performance centers for the ELA. While in England, she was a member of the Heaton Mersey and North England women's lacrosse teams.
A native of Wilton, Maine, Moore was a three-year member of the New Hampshire women's lacrosse team, where she led her squad to a 2002 America East Conference Regular Season Title. Moore, an IWLCA/US Lacrosse Regional Second Team All-American, was a member of the 2001 and 2002 America East All-Championship teams, as well as an America East All-Conference First Team selection in 2002. During her senior season, she was voted UNH's Defensive MVP.
She has joined with her college coach, Sandy Bridgeman, to coach the Dutch National Team.
"What a great hire by Stetson," Bridgeman said. "Nicole is the perfect person to build and lead a new program. As a player and coach, Nicole has always demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for the game and playing and coaching with integrity. She is a fantastic teacher of the game, has a tremendous work ethic and brings an unequaled enthusiasm to her teams."
Moore also played field hockey for the Wildcats, earning a spot on the America East Championship team and helping her team advance to the NCAA Tournament in 1998.
Moore's experience also includes working as a director of various lacrosse camps. For the past 10 years she has been involved with some of the top Elite summer camps, including at the University of North Carolina.
A speaker at the 2009 US Lacrosse Convention, Moore sits on multiple IWLCA committees. This will be her fourth year to present on topics of transferring drills from other sports to lacrosse, coaching the younger generation and finding success, and team building and empowering leaders.
She is currently on the IWLCA Outreach Committee that works with Project IRM, which identifies, recruits and mentors minority coaches in the sport of lacrosse.
Moore earned a master's of science with a concentration in sport psychology and sport coaching from Canisius in May of 2006.

Sarah Mollison Joins Tribe Lacrosse Coaching Staff

William and Mary lacrosse head coach Brooke Ireland has announced the hiring of Sarah Mollison as a volunteer assistant coach.
"Sarah will be a great addition to the Tribe lacrosse program," Ireland said. "She brings extensive knowledge to the game on many levels, and her success and intensity will only help our team excel to their highest potential. She is a natural leader and has a true passion for the game."
A three-time All-American attacker at the University of Maryland, Mollison finished her collegiate career as one of the best players in the program's history. The two-time Tewaaraton Watch List selection helped the Terps claim a national title in 2010 and a runner up finish in 2011. Additionally, the two-time team captain led the squad to three Final Four appearances and three Atlantic Coast Conference championships.
Mollison finished her career ranked third on Maryland's career assists list (119), while she ranks tied for fourth in points (272) and ninth in goals (153).
"I am so excited and feel very fortunate for the opportunity to join the William and Mary lacrosse program," Mollison said. "I am looking forward to the challenges of coaching and developing these young athletes. I am thrilled to be working with Brooke and look forward to learning from her so together we can build on the success of such a prestigious institution."
One of the nation's top attackers throughout her career, the Melbourne, Australia native was honored as a Tewaaraton Award finalist last spring after becoming just the third player in school history to total 100 points in a single season. Mollison was also selected as a 2011 Honda Sports Award finalist, an IWLCA First Team All-American, WomensLax.com Co-Attacker of the Year and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year following her senior season.
A member of the Senior Australian National Team, Mollison helped the squad win the World Cup in 2005 and garner runner up honors in 2009.
Mollison has coached at multiple camps during the past two years, while also working as an individual instructor. Additionally, she served as the co-coach for Severna Park Lacrosse in 2010 and the U15 Club head coach in Melbourne Australia from 2005-07, helping the team to three consecutive state championships. She also worked as a Victoria U17 assistant coach and helped guide the squad to a national championship in 2006 and a runner up finish in 2005.
Mollison will graduate in December with a degree in Family Science and a minor in Human Development.

Eboni Preston Named Head Lacrosse Coach at Sweet Briar

Sweet Briar Athletics Director Kelly Morrison has announced the appointment of Eboni Preston, a 2008 St. Bonaventure graduate and four-year letterwinner, as Head Lacrosse Coach, Assistant Facilities Director and Lecturer in the PE Department.

As a senior at St. Bonaventure in 2008, Preston was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors. Preston's appointment at Sweet Briar, an NCAA Division III member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, comes after assistant coaching stints at Endicott and Emerson Colleges, and as program director for the New England Select Lacrosse League for Girls.