West Hired for Women's Lax Post

WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics John Hill announced Tuesday that Lindsey West has been hired as the university's new head women's lacrosse coach.

West comes to SU after spending the past two seasons as the graduate assistant women's lacrosse coach at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

The Davidsonville, Md. native helped the Bearcats to 14 wins in the past two seasons as the school made its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III.

West, who will be the fourth women's lacrosse coach in Shenandoah history, replaces Lois Bowers at the helm of the Hornets. Bowers coached the squad to 36 victories in the past six seasons and stays on at SU to concentrate all of her efforts on the school's field hockey program.

Bowers leaves the lacrosse squad as its all-time winningest coach and having captured the 2005 USA South Conference title.

Shenandoah defeated Methodist University 17-13 in that '05 championship game, despite three goals and one assist from West, who was a junior for the Monarchs that season. She left the Fayetteville, N.C. school as the squad's all-time leading scorer, was a three-time All-USA South Conference selection and earned 2006 USA South Conference Player of the Year honors.

She still holds Methodist records for goals, assists and points in a game. After graduating in 2006 with a Physical Education/Teacher Licensure degree, West moved on to St. Vincent to pursue her graduate degree in Education. She is scheduled to earn her Master's this August.

"When we decided to split Lois' job into two positions and hire a new lacrosse coach, we hoped to find a young coach with a great deal of energy to take over the program," Hill said.

"Lindsey fits that mold perfectly. Everyone on the committee was impressed with her enthusiasm and I am sure that she will use that enthusiasm in recruiting and coaching to bring us back to the top of the USA South Conference."

After winning the title and posting an 11-5 overall record in 2005, SU slipped to 6-8 and just out of the tournament in 2006. This past season, the Hornets were 1-11 overall and 0-4 in the USA South.

"I remember Shenandoah as a team that was always a threat and extremely competitive each year," West said. "I look forward to building from the nucleus of players currently on the team to get back to the top of the conference. Our goal will be to compete each year for the conference championship."

West will begin her full-time duties at Shenandoah this fall. The Hornets open up their 15th season of intercollegiate women's lacrosse on March 2 at home against Wilkes (Pa.).