WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic University athletic director Courtney Lovely Evans has announced Laurie Podmilsak as interim head coach of the women's lacrosse program for the 2024 season.
 
"I am thankful to Laurie for taking over the program for the 2024 season," said Lovely Evans. "This decision is in the best interest of the program and our student-athletes. Laurie has extensive experience as a coach and player and I am excited to see how she is able to mold a group of young student-athletes into a team this season."
 
Podmilsak has previous head coaching experience at Howard University where she started the lacrosse program from 1998-2000. Since her time in the collegiate game, Podmilsak has been director and coach of Future Elite Lacrosse Club in Fairfax, Virginia and Utah Express Lacrosse in Park City, Utah. 
 
Before becoming a coach, Podmilsak played for four seasons at James Madison where her teams were ranked in the top-10 every season. She graduated from James Madison with a degree in psychology teacher education and a master's degree in special education from George Mason. Podmilsak was named to the Potomac Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2013. 
 
"I want to thank Courtney Lovely Evans and Associate Athletic Director for Administration TJ Budd for the opportunity to serve and lead the Palm Beach Atlantic women's lacrosse team as interim head coach," said Podmilsak. "I am grateful for the support of my family and friends throughout my coaching career. I have enjoyed working with the team as a volunteer assistant over the last year and am thrilled to be part of the PBA family and mission. It is an honor to work in PBA's supportive environment with willing and able student-athletes. My goal is to maximize our lacrosse program's potential. I am eager to develop and prepare these young women to excel on and off the field."
 
Podmilsak now takes over a team that is coming off a 3-12 season in 2023. PBA does return the team's top four leading goal scorers, Olivia Larges, Ella Howlin, Addyson Johnson, and Sara Metheny who all scored double digits goals last season. The Sailfish also bring back goalies Courtney Rausch and Georgia Karns who split time in goal last season. Podmilsak will be assisted by Chelsea Lea who played for PBA from 2019-22 and served as a volunteer assistant last season.
 
Podmilsak takes over for Katy Richardson who stepped down from her head coaching position due to health reasons on Oct. 25.