Marist Women's Lacrosse Coach Jessica Wilkinson Steps Down

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Jessica Wilkinson has announced that she has stepped down as head coach of the Marist women's lacrosse program.
 
"I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to lead the Marist women's lacrosse program," Wilkinson said. "Marist has been an integral part of my life both professionally and personally and the decision to step away from the lacrosse program is a direct result from feeling what is best for myself and my family currently. I would like to thank Athletics Director Tim Murray and staff for instilling their trust in me as a young coach over 13 years ago. My experience with the Marist Athletics community is unmatched and I have grown as a professional alongside great coaches and people. I owe my biggest affection of gratitude to the players – past, present, and future – all of whom have dedicated themselves to enriching the program even more so than they had once found, and I want to thank them all for sharing in some of the program's greatest achievements over the years. I have confidence the program will be a top contender in the MAAC under new leadership and I will forever be its biggest advocate and supporter."  
 
Wilkinson had a 17-year association with the program as head coach and student-athlete. She was the Red Foxes' head coach from 2011-23. Her 13-year tenure and 90 victories are the highest totals in program history.
 
"Marist Athletics will always be grateful for the leadership and stability Jess has provided our women's lacrosse program," Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray said. "From her days as a player to her 13 years as head coach, she approached every day with tremendous passion so I can appreciate what a difficult decision this was for her and her family. Jess will always be an important part of the Marist Athletics program! Once a Red Fox, always a Red Fox!"

In 2020, Wilkinson was one of three coaches named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's 40^th Anniversary Team. She was named MAAC Coach of the Year in 2013, 2014, and 2018, and led Marist to conference regular-season titles in 2014 and 2018. She coached two NCAA statistical champions in 2019, as Hailey Wagner led the nation in draw controls per game and set the NCAA record for draw controls in a season, while Samantha Mehalick led the country in free position goals per game.
 
The Red Foxes had four MAAC major award winners in her tenure:

• 2014: Abby Witczak – Rookie of the Year

• 2016: Allison Gionta – Offensive Player of the Year

• 2017: Abby Witczak – Goalkeeper of the Year

• 2018: Delaney Galvin – Goalkeeper of the Year

Wilkinson's teams earned high marks in the classroom and community. The Red Foxes had two Academic All-Americans in Erin Betsch (2011) and Wagner (2019), who was also named MAAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2019. Wagner (2019), Allison Gionta (2016), and Jamie Romano (2014) were nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
 
The program had seven winners of the Pizzani Award in Wilkinson's tenure, including five straight from 2014-18. The award is presented to someone who has contributed to the athletics department academically and socially, displayed community service and leadership, and has performed above and beyond all expectations. The winners were Tierney Larson (2014), Jackie DiMaria (2015), manager Jaclyn Murphy (2016), Witczak (2017), Stefanie Wenz (2018), Ellie Petraccione (2020), and Chloe Monroe (2022).
 
As a student-athlete, Wilkinson (formerly O'Brien) was part of Marist's first MAAC championship team in 2008. That season, she set career highs with 20 goals and 22 caused turnovers. In her four-year playing career, she twice rebounded from season-ending injuries to finish with 42 goals, 86 ground balls, 51 caused turnovers, and 47 draw controls in 51 career games. In 2008, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication-Advertising while minoring in Studio Art.
 
Wilkinson started her coaching career at Wagner, where she was an assistant from 2009-10. There, she earned her MBA in Management in 2010.
 
A national search for Wilkinson's successor will begin immediately.