By: Mitch Morelli
Steubenville, Ohio - The Franciscan University Athletic Department is proud to announce the hiring of
Molly Lewis as their Interim Head Women's Lacrosse Coach.
I am excited to welcome Molly Lewis to the Franciscan University community. She comes with an impressive lacrosse pedigree, not only as an athlete at the NCAA Division I and III levels but as a successful coach of young women at various levels of competition. More importantly, Molly is deeply committed to the Franciscan Athletics mission of forming disciples, developing leaders, and pursuing excellence in the name of Jesus Christ, and I am fully confident in her ability to advance that mission for years to come.
Director of Athletics - Danny Andersen '97
Coach Lewis can be reached at mklewis@franciscan.edu. She will also serve as the Intramural and Club Sports Coordinator on campus.
She comes to Franciscan with coaching experience at the high school and club level. She coached for a pair of seasons at E.A. Laney's varsity team in North Carolina and the Shamrocks/Port City Storm travel teams. Most recently, she has worked in New York City and Washington D.C. as a filmmaker for the Dominican Friars Foundation, as well as freelance photography and film projects.
"I am so grateful to have the opportunity to coach the Franciscan Women's Lacrosse team, said Coach Lewis. I am so excited to coach at the collegiate level at a University where I can be myself and coach for the glory of God."
As a player, Lewis played the 2014 season at NCAA Division III North Carolina Wesleyan. The midfielder led the team with 31 goals scored, 56 draw controls, and 33 ground balls over their 11 game season. She was named Team MVP during that freshman season, and then she transferred up to NCAA Division I Gardner Webb for her sophomore season. She competed for the Runnin' Bulldogs for their inaugural 2015 season.
She takes over a program that has made it to the PAC Semifinals in four of the last six seasons. They return a talented core group from the 2024 season and have a large group of incoming players looking to make an immediate impact on the program.
I am honored for the opportunity to walk with and coach the young women on the team and work alongside the athletic department staff here at Franciscan. I aim to cultivate a family atmosphere, joy, and hard work as we begin this chapter of the Franciscan lacrosse program. It is my goal to help foster an environment on the team of excellence where we work hard for love of God, each other, Franciscan University, and the sport of lacrosse. My coaching outlook can be shared by quoting Pope Benedict XVI's words; "The world offers you comfort...but you were made for greatness."
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach - Molly Lewis
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