DANBURY, Conn. - Western Connecticut State University Director of Athletics Lori Mazza has announced the hiring of Rachael Griffith as head coach of the WestConn women's lacrosse program.  Griffith comes to WestConn after coaching the previous five seasons at Otterbein University, including the last two years as the Cardinals' head coach. 

Griffith guided Otterbein to 8-8 seasons in both 2022 and 2023 and to consecutive appearances in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championship Semifinals.  The Cardinals boasted eight all-conference selection in Griffith's two seasons as head coach and five CSC Academic All-District honorees last spring. She mentored OAC Midfielder of the Year and All-Region selection Emily Willms in 2023

"We are so excited to have Rachael Griffith join our family," said Mazza.  "Her experience winning a national title as a player and her drive to win another as a coach, makes Rachael the perfect person to lead our team to the next level.  Her ability to connect with the team and explain how she would translate her experience into spearheading our team to success was clearly evident throughout her interview.  We look forward to the continued growth and success of the program with Rachael at the helm."

A graduate of Florida Southern University, Griffith was a team captain, a two-time all-conference selection and an All-American defender for the Moccasins and helped them win the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship title.  Griffith earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Southern in healthcare administration and also owns a master's degree from Otterbein in allied health. She coached at her alma mater for one season, helping Florida Southern win the Sunshine State Conference title and return to the NCAA Division II Championship game.  Griffith is a native of Ellicott City, Maryland.

"I am very excited to be joining WestConn," said Griffith.  "I am so thankful to Lori Mazza and the search committee for this opportunity. The previous coaches have done a tremendous job with the women's lacrosse program and I am looking forward to continued success. I'm ready to bring new energy and competitiveness with me and hit the ground running. I am very grateful to the Western Connecticut administration for their support." 

WestConn women's lacrosse posted a 15-3 overall record and a perfect 7-0 mark in the Little East Conference in 2023, but lost 11-10 in overtime to Plymouth State in the conference finals.  The Wolves are 56-15 over the last seasons and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament as the Little East Champion in both 2021 and 2022.