Kelsey McGovern joins coaching staff

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University Athletics and head women's lacrosse coach Jill Batcheller are pleased to announce the addition of Kelsey McGovern to the Bulldog coaching staff for the 2014-15 season.

A 2014 graduate of NCAA tournament qualifier and Atlantic 10 Champion UMass, McGovern was the primary draw taker and a cornerstone of the Minutewomen defense as a senior and will play a key part in developing those roles within the Bulldog ranks.

"We are so excited to have Kelsey join the lacrosse family at Bryant University," said Batcheller. "Kelsey is an accomplished collegiate player who will immediately add a new dynamic to our defense and improve our draw team."

A two-time all-conference first team pick, McGovern captained the 18th-ranked Minutewomen to their fourth-straight NCAA tournament berth in 2014, earning IWLCA All-Region Second Team and North/South Game nods along the way. McGovern paced UMass on the draw this past spring, tallying 56 draws to complement 13 caused turnovers and 19 ground balls with a pair of scores.

An Acton, Mass., native, McGovern finished her UMass career with a program-record 201 draw controls, a mark that was highlighted by her single-season record-setting performance of 110 draws as a junior in 2013.

Named a 2013 IWLCA Third Team All-American and First Team All-Region selection, McGovern was placed on Inside Lacrosse's Top 10 Game Changers list as a junior and finished her career with 59 caused turnovers, 76 ground balls, 10 goals and five assists in 76 appearances.

On the sidelines, McGovern has extensive camp and club coaching experience, co-founding the Storm Lax Camp in 2010 and coaching the Storm Lacrosse Club since 2012. She has also been on the staff of lacrosse camps at Boston College, UMass and Northwestern, among others.

"Kelsey has played in four A10 Championships and made four NCAA tournament appearances," said Batcheller. "As our program continues to move forward, Kelsey's experience and knowledge will be a valuable resource for our team."

Academically, McGovern was just as much of a standout, earning Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team honors in 2013 and 2014 while also qualifying for the Dean's List and the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. She was also a 2013 NCAA Leadership Conference participant.

McGovern graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.