Bio

Brianna Roche has completed her fourth season as head coach of the Bryant University women's lacrosse program in 2022 with a cumulative record of 31-22.

Roche led the Bulldogs to a massive improvement in 2022. The preseason #4 team in the NEC, the Bulldogs went 7-1 in conference and 12-5 overall, earning a share of the NEC regular-season championship and the top seed and hosting privileges in the NEC Tournament. The tournament berth was the third under Roche, and the tournament final was the first in her tenure. The Bulldogs placed nine players on All-NEC teams, including Offensive Player of the Year Kenna Kaut and Rookie of the Year Jessica Colalillo. Roche was also named NEC Coach of the Year for her efforts.

In 2021, Roche led Bryant to a 7-6 overall record in a season truncated by COVID. The Bulldogs reached the NEC tournament for the eighth consecutive time and second under Roche. Eight Bulldogs earned All-NEC honors, led by Megan McCarthy on the first team.

In 2020, Roche helped the Bulldogs to a 4-2 season after the season was cut short during spring break. The Bulldogs tallied wins over Quinnipiac, Vermont, Manhattan, and UMass Lowell during the short six-game season. 

Roche led the Bulldogs to an eight-win season in 2019 with victories over in-state foe Brown and MAAC opponents Niagara and Canisius. Bryant qualified for its seventh-consecutive Northeast Conference tournament with a 4-3 mark in NEC play. The Bulldogs placed five players on All-NEC teams, led by junior attack Caitlin Breglia on the all-conference first team.

Prior to Bryant, Roche spent three seasons at UMass, including the last two as the associate head coach. The Minutewomen thrived with her on the sidelines, going 56-8 overall, while claiming three-straight Atlantic-10 Championships and advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2016.  

Roche's offensive mindset helped the Minutewomen finish in the top five nationally in scoring offense, points per game and assists per game each of her final two years. Under her tutelage, Erika Eipp won back-to-back A-10 Offensive Player of the Year honors and Hannah Murphy claimed three-straight A-10 Midfielder of the Year honors.

For the 2013 and 2014 campaigns, Roche was the head coach at Franklin Pierce University - the first dedicated head coach in program history.

Prior to Franklin Pierce, Roche was an assistant coach for the women's lacrosse program at Oberlin College in 2012-13.

Roche also has two years of head coaching experience at the high school level. After leaving UMass, Roche spent the 2017-18 season as the girls' lacrosse program head and the head varsity coach at Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, she advised players on postsecondary school options and also organized and introduced a strength and conditioning program and a comprehensive playbook.

In 2011-12, she served as the head coach at her high school alma mater, Arlington High School, where she guided the Spy Ponders to 12 wins (after just two the previous year) and a post-season appearance.

Beyond her coaching experience, Roche boasts an extensive background contributing to clinics and instructional camps. She has spent several years coaching at lacrosse camps hosted by Johns Hopkins University, her alma mater. In addition, she has operated clinics for youth lacrosse programs and served as the head coach for the Metro Boston squad at the Bay State Games.

Roche was a four-year letterwinner at Johns Hopkins, where she patrolled the midfield and played in every game from the start of her sophomore season through the end of her career, after missing the second half of her freshman campaign with a knee injury. Though she earned a starting role as a senior, arguably her best season came as a sophomore in 2009, when she poured in 17 goals while playing primarily as a reserve. In all, over 59 career games, including 24 starts, she tallied 47-2-49 with 51 ground balls, 22 draw controls, and 11 caused turnovers. She was selected to the American Lacrosse Conference Academic Honor Roll during her junior year. Roche was also a two-time captain for the Blue Jays.

A native of Arlington, Massachusetts, Roche graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She resides in Providence with her husband James and their sons Liam and Patrick.

What they're saying about Brianna Roche

"I am so proud of and excited for Brianna as she joins the Bryant Athletics family. She is a passionate coach who leaves no stone unturned in the development of her players on and off the field. Brianna coaches from the heart and is an incredible mentor and role model for her players. The Bryant women's lacrosse program is in excellent hands!" - Janine Tucker, head coach at Johns Hopkins

"I am thrilled that Brianna landed at Bryant and I am so happy for her in her new role as a head coach. She is one of the brightest minds I have ever been around. She made a huge impact on our program at UMass and was an integral part of our Elite 8 run in 2016. There is no doubt she is going to make a positive impact at Bryant and I firmly believe she is going to help the Bulldogs make a jump to the next level." - Angela McMahon, head coach at UMass

"Playing for coach Bri was a great privilege. She has the ability to motivate a group through her relentless work ethic on and off the field, care and high level of integrity. She truly embodies a team-first mentality while bringing intensity and a lot of passion. She was a great example of 'hard work pays off.' Her love for the game and willingness to help others grow inspired me to pursue coaching and also share my love for the game with young student-athletes." - Hannah Murphy, assistant coach at Northwestern

"Brianna was my offensive coach my junior and senior year at UMass. It was obvious from the beginning how hard she worked and how dedicated she was to make us better. She was very knowledgeable, teaching us new concepts each day while preparing us for the next opponent. She taught me a lot of things, not only the X's and O's of lacrosse but about myself. Brianna and UMass head coach Angela McMahon inspired and encouraged me to become the college coach I am today. Many of the tactics and skills I use today at Marist College came from my time at UMass with Brianna. I am excited to see Brianna in her new role and know she will achieve great success." - Nicole Troost, assistant coach at Marist