USC hires women’s lacrosse coach

Lindsey Munday has been hired as head coach of the new USC women’s lacrosse program, athletic director Pat Haden announced Monday.

Munday, 26, was a key contributor as both a player and an assistant coach during Northwestern University’s run of five consecutive NCAA championships, spanning from 2005-2009.

An All-World member of the U.S. women’s lacrosse, she had been serving as head coach at Mount St. Mary’s in Maryland after being named to the position on Aug. 30, 2010.

“It was imperative that we hire a coach with the energy, experience and plan to build a premier women’s lacrosse program,” said Haden in a statement. “Lindsey Munday embodies all that we are looking for as we take on this exciting endeavor. Her background both as an elite player and an elite coach who has been part of five national championships is a perfect match for a program that we hope will soon play at a championship level.”

At Northwestern, she served as the program’s recruiting coordinator and offensive coach, also helping to scout opponents. During her tenure, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 85-4, including a 23-0 mark in 2009, and won the NCAA title in 2007, 2008 and 2009 while advancing to the NCAA championship game in 2010 as well.

“I am honored and humbled to be named the first head women’s lacrosse coach at USC,” said Munday. “USC is a truly unique university with premier academics and championship athletics. The University’s storied history, coupled with the support from its administration top to bottom, will provide the USC women’s lacrosse program with the resources to be nationally competitive.”

Set to begin play starting with the 2012-2013 season, the team will compete as part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, becoming the conference’s seventh women’s lacrosse program. The other teams include Denver, Fresno State, Oregon, St. Mary’s and UC Davis.

“It is an incredibly special opportunity to begin a new program and I cannot wait to recruit student-athletes who are passionate about lacrosse and about joining this amazing time in USC women’s lacrosse history.”