Interim tag removed for Braddock

5/22/2023 2:25:00 PM

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.--Westminster College Director of Athletics Jason Lener announced Monday afternoon that the interim tag on head women's lacrosse coach Bria Braddock has been removed and Braddock will continue at the College as its head coach.

"When Coach Braddock joined us in September, despite the interim label, she really approached all parts of the job with a motivated, long-term mindset," said Lener. "She did a phenomenal job of pulling the team together, setting small and meaningful goals for herself and the program this year while always looking to move the program forward competitively. We really feel our student-athletes have accepted her as a leader and couldn't be more confident Bria has what it takes to ensure her student-athletes have an enriching college experience."

Braddock, a Beaver Falls native, stepped into the interim role last September after spending time as an assistant coach at Blackhawk High School in 2021 and 2022. She helped lead the Cougars to a 27-4 overall record, a WPIAL Class 2A runner-up finish in 2021 and a semifinal finish in 2022. Braddock has been coaching with the girls program at True Lacrosse Pittsburgh since 2019.

Braddock earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and minor in child development from Westminster in 2020. A three-time First Team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) selection, she was named the league's defensive player of the year after helping Westminster claim the conference's first-ever women's lacrosse title in 2019. The Titans finished the season 15-3 overall and 7-0 in the PAC while going on to earn a 16-8 win over Notre Dame of Maryland University in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Championship. Braddock continued her playing career at Chatham University in the spring of 2021, earning the league's defensive player of the year award for the second time.

Braddock is currently pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Geneva College.

"I felt incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to step in as the interim head coach this past season and am beyond grateful Jason has given me the opportunity to continue to lead the program," said Braddock. "This past year was invaluable and I am so proud of how much the team has grown. Westminster holds a special place in my heart and I'm excited to be able to coach an amazing group and continue building this program.

"A little shoutout to my assistant, Coach Liv (Olivia Johnsen), for her knowledge and passion for the game, and a huge appreciation to the staff here who have been supportive since the day I began in September."

Westminster finished the season 5-11 overall and 3-6 in the PAC. Stephanie Cimini (Mars, Pa. | Mars) earned Second Team All-PAC while Nina Rascona (Somerset, Pa. | Somerset) was named Honorable Mention All-PAC.

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