Feb. 7, 2008

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist College Director of Athletics Tim Murray announced the hiring of Tanya Kotowicz as head women's lacrosse coach on Thursday. Kotowicz returns to Marist after having served as an assistant coach for the women's lacrosse team in the 2006 season.

"We are pleased to welcome Tanya back to the Marist family," Murray said. "I am confident in her ability to build our women's lacrosse program to be consistently competitive in the MAAC.

Kotowicz was previously an assistant coach at Saint Mary's (Calif.), where she was involved in all facets of the program. In 2007, the Gaels had eight players named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) All-Academic Team and one player named to the MPSF All-Tournament Team while leading the country in ground balls.

"This is the best group of ladies I could ever want to coach," Kotowicz said. "Since my first stint at Marist, I have learned a lot, and I can't wait to lead this group."

Kotowicz played collegiately at the University of Connecticut from 2001-05. In 2005, she led UConn to the ECAC championship as the Huskies finished the season ranked 15th in the nation. Kotowicz served as team captain for two seasons. She earned the "Sam Witryol" team award in 2001 and 2004, given to a player who consistently makes a positive contribution to the team and understands the spirit of the game. She was a Big East Scholar-Athlete from 2002-05 and Big East Academic All-Star for her entire time at UConn.

Kotowicz also has international experience as a member of the Wilderness Lacrosse Team in Australia. In the summer of 2006, she served as a coach of a MAAC All-Star team which traveled to Japan. Kotowicz also has a wealth of experience as a camp instructor in all parts of the country.

The Marist women's lacrosse team will start its season on Wednesday, Feb. 27, when it takes on Lafayette in its first contest at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field. The Red Foxes were chosen to finish first in the MAAC Preseason Poll, and have both of the league's preseason co-players of the year in senior midfielder Lindsey Diener (Nanuet, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Liz Falco (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.).