(Story courtesy of Southwestern Unniversity athletics)
Georgetown, Texas - The Southwestern University Pirates athletic department has found its next women's lacrosse head coach, hiring Kaitlyn Hafdell from the coaching staff of the 2019 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference champions, Rhodes College.
"We're delighted to have Coach Hafdell join the Pirate athletic staff after a very successful time at our colleague institution, Rhodes College," Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Glada Munt said. "She brings excellent playing and coaching experience along with a strong commitment to building our women's lacrosse program."
Hafdell was an assistant coach for the Rhodes College Lynx the past three seasons, helping to lead the team to three consecutive SAA conference championships and two NCAA Sweet 16 round qualifiers (2017, 2018). During her time there, Rhodes earned its first ever No. 1 regional ranking (2018) and the program's first All-American (2018).
Prior to that, Hafdell was the lacrosse head coach at St. Joseph's High School in Greenville, South Carolina for the 2015-16 school year. During that time, she was also the head coach for the club team Greenlight Lacrosse.
"I am thrilled and honored to be named the next head women's lacrosse coach at Southwestern University," Hafdell said. "I would like to thank Dr. Munt, Glenn Schwab, and the entire search committee for this amazing opportunity. I'm excited about the future of this program and can't wait to hit the ground running."
Hafdell graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2014 with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health and a minor in Coaching. As a student-athlete, she was named Team MVP, Defensive Leader, and all-conference in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
The Southwestern University Pirates women's lacrosse program began in 2014 and has compiled a 42-50 record in its six-year history, earning its first winning season last year with a 7-6 record, advancing to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship match.
