TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's lacrosse team has its first ever head coach, tabbing Melanie Rizzotti to guide the Lutes transition to a varsity sport ahead of the program's 2024-2025 debut.
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"We're excited to welcome Melanie into the Lute community as our first-ever varsity head coach. You couldn't ask for a better leader to navigate the women's lacrosse program's transition to a varsity sport and under her direction, I can't wait to see the team make their varsity debut in spring of 2025," said Athletic Director Mike Snyder.
"Melanie checked all the boxes we were looking for in a head coach. She has previous head coaching experience and understands the Division III philosophy as a former student-athlete at Whittier. An added bonus is her familiarity with the Pacific Northwest, having grown up in western Washington."
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Rizzotti comes to Luteville after spending the previous two seasons at Division II University of Charleston. The Mukilteo, Washington native began her tenure with the Golden Eagles as a graduate assistant in 2022 before being elevated to head coach for the 2023 season. Â
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Charleston tied a school record for wins in Rizzotti's first season at the helm, winning eight games while setting a school record for conference wins after closing the Mountain East Conference slate with a 7-3 mark. Rizzotti's Golden Eagles were edged in the MEC Tournament by eventual champion Notre Dame College.Â
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"I would like to thank Mike Snyder and the hiring committee for the opportunity to join the PLU community and lead the first ever varsity Women's Lacrosse program," said Rizzotti.Â
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"I'm so excited for the opportunity to continue to grow and elevate the game in my home state!"
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Prior to Charleston, Rizzotti served as head junior varsity coach at Seattle Preparatory School for three seasons.Â
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As a student-athlete, Rizzotti was named to the All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Team while playing at Division III Whittier College. A midfielder for the Poets, Rizzotti played in 61 games over her four year career, scoring 23 goals with seven assists and 79 ground balls.Â
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Rizzotti graduated from Whittier College with a degree in sociology while earning a master's in business administration from Charleston.
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Rizzotti will coach PLU's club women's lacrosse program this coming academic year before the program's varsity debut in the spring of 2025.Â
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