DURHAM – Several local women’s lacrosse players will have a new coach at the University of New Hampshire next season.

UNH Director of Athletics Marty Scarano announced Tuesday that Sarah Albrecht will not return as head coach of the Wildcat women’s lacrosse program in 2021-22. A national search for a new leader will begin immediately.

“I want to thank Sarah for her nine dedicated years as head coach,” Scarano said. “Under her tutelage, we graduated a number of All-Conference and All-Academic players who proudly represented UNH.”

In nine seasons (2013-21), Albrecht posted a record of 49-85 and led the Wildcats to the America East semifinals six times. Her best season was 2019, when the Braintree, Mass., native was named America East Coach of the Year for guiding the ‘Cats to their best season in a decade (10-7, 5-2 AEC) and the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.

Locals on the team this year were senior midfielder Gabby Masseur (Nashua North), junior defender Taylor Dudek (Souhegan), junior midfielder Abby Cranney (Souhegan) and freshman defender Izzy Aiello (Souhegan).

“This search process will be thorough as we identify the right individual to lead Wildcat lacrosse to the next chapter,” Scarano added. “I believe this position will attract excellent candidates, and we will find someone ready to elevate this team to where we feel it belongs, perennially competing for America East championships.”

UNH went 4-7 with a 3-6 conference record this season. Senior Tatum Benesh (Horseheads, N.Y.) was named to the America East All-Conference First Team, graduate student Rylee Leonard (Coventry, R.I.) and senior Julia Neyland (Boxborough, Mass.) earned All-Conference Second Team accolades. Leonard also was voted to the All-Academic Team.

Newsletter