DURHAM, N.H. – Kacie Lewis was named head coach of the University of New Hampshire women’s lacrosse team on Tuesday. The announcement was made by director of athletics Marty Scarano.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kacie to the Wildcat family,” Scarano said. “Kacie has played an integral part of two programs’ success which are very much like UNH. As a two-year captain at UConn, she was part of a transformation that resulted in an NCAA berth, again as an assistant coach there, and most recently as the associate head coach at Bryant she has been part of successful programs on the rise.

“We are confident her vision for the UNH program, combined with her high energy and commitment, will transform this program as well,” Scarano added.

Lewis, a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain at UConn, brings eight years of Division I collegiate coaching experience to UNH. Since August 2019, Lewis was at Bryant University, where she was hired as an assistant coach and promoted to associate head coach in January 2021. Her primary responsibilities included defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and administration.

Other responsibilities were film preparation, scouting reports, team travel logistics and team workout packets.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Wildcat family! I am extremely grateful to Marty Scarano, Michelle Bronner and the rest of the search committee for this tremendous opportunity,” Lewis said. “The passion for this University is felt all around campus and I am honored to be a part of it. We are ready to hit the ground running. I can’t wait to get started!”

Bryant’s defense improved notably under Lewis’ tutelage. Prior to her arrival, the Bulldogs allowed 14.53 goals per game on a .426 save percentage. In the 2020 season — Lewis’ first at Bryant, those stats improved to 9.50 goals allowed per game and a .457 save percentage as Bryant went 4-2 with wins against America East members Vermont and UMass Lowell.

This past year, the Bulldogs yielded 10.77 goals per game and ranked second in the Northeast Conference with a .489 save percentage. Prior to Bryant, Lewis was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at UConn for two seasons (June 2017 to May 2019). In addition to her defensive responsibilities, Lewis was also responsible for all team travel logistics, film preparation, scouting reports, game day video, and team NCAA compliance.

Lewis began her collegiate coaching career as an intern during her senior season (2013) at UConn. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology in May 2013, she became an assistant coach at College of the Holy Cross that August. After one year, the California native returned to the west coast and was an assistant coach at Cal for three seasons (August 2014 to June 2017).

In addition to her college coaching resume, Lewis also helped coach numerous top collegiate camps including UConn, Cal, Southern Cal, Michigan, Princeton, Georgetown, Brown, Stanford, Duke, Denver, Boston University, Northwestern, Holy Cross, Triple Threat, Top of the Class, and Northeast Top 215.

As a senior at UConn, she led the Huskies to a school-record 13 wins and the program’s first trip to the NCAA tournament. Lewis becomes the ninth head coach of the UNH women’s lacrosse program since it became a Division I varsity sport in the 1977 season.