Eastern Michigan, Detroit Mercy Name New Women's Lacrosse Coaches

Eastern Michigan has tabbed reigning Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year Maddie Dugan as its new women’s lacrosse coach, the school announced Thursday.

Searching for a new head coach after Florida State hired Sarah Tisdale, the Eagles found a suitable replacement in their own conference. Dugan led Detroit Mercy to the MAC championship game this year after coaches picked the Titans to finish last in a preseason poll. It was their first postseason appearance since 2019.

Tisdale left the cupboard full. Eastern Michigan made the MAC tournament for the first time in program history and returns nearly all its impact players. Goalie Maddie Porter was the MAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-MAC midfielder Mackenzie Blackwell ranked among the top sophomores nationally in goals (49) and draw controls (94).

Detroit Mercy did not wait long to name Dugan’s successor. Alexa Matta will take the reins, the school announced Friday.

Hired as an assistant coach earlier this summer, Matta previously spent five seasons as the head coach at Siena Heights. She led the Saints to NAIA tournament in 2021 and 2022.