McNamara Named IWLCA Division II Coach of the Year
BROOKIVLLE, N.Y. (Oct. 2, 2012) - The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced its National Coach of the Year awards on Monday, and LIU Post's
Meghan McNamara was named the Division II National Coach of the Year.
She joins Division III Trinity's Kate Livesay from Trinity, and Kelly Amonte Hiller from Division I Northwestern, as each of the three coaches led their teams to the NCAA title and were selected by their peers to receive the national recognition.
McNamara just completed her fifth season as head coach of LIU Post, and reached the pinnacle of success this season as the Pioneers won the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship, defeating West Chester, 17-16. This year's appearance in the NCAA Championships was a record tenth for the Pioneers, and McNamara's team ended the season with the top ranking in the IWLCA poll.
LIU Post ended its season with a 17-3 record, tying the program record for wins in a season. Several other records also fell under McNamara's tutelage, include most goals in a season (team - 337), single-season scoring (
Ashley Olen – 74), single-season assists (
Jackie Sileo – 96) and single-season points (Sileo – 141). The Pioneers outscored opponents 337-177 this season and were ranked top ten nationally in several categories: first in points (525), fifth in scoring offense (16.85), sixth in scoring margin (8.00), and sixth in scoring defense (8.85). McNamara also had five players earn IWLCA All-America first team honors, five players named to the IWLCA North Region teams, and ten players garnered spots on the All-East Coast Conference teams, including Coach of the Year honors for McNamara.
Entering her sixth season leading the Pioneers, McNamara has posted a 79-14 record – including a 29-4 mark in conference play and a 38-5 slate at Hickox Field.
Division II
North Region:
Meghan McNamara, LIU Post
South Region: Dennis Short, Rollins