Fresno State Athletics
Vallarelli added to Bulldog lacrosse staff
8/31/2017 2:27:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State women's lacrosse head coach Jessica Giglio announced the addition of Rachel Vallarelli to her staff. Vallarelli joins second-year assistant coach Brice Queener as the program's assistant coaches.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Rachel to our coaching staff," Giglio said. "Her passion for the game of lacrosse is evident and her enthusiasm for the sport is indisputable. Rachel was a standout goalkeeper at UMass and will be an excellent addition to our staff."
Most recently, Vallarelli was an assistant coach at Villanova University for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Vallarelli primarily worked with goalkeepers during her time at Villanova. She coached both Jaclyn Fraum and Julia Michaels who combined for a .455 save percentage during the 2016 season. During the 2017 season, Michaels ranked in the top-25 nationally in both save percentage and saves per game.
Prior to Villanova, she spent the fall as a volunteer assistant coach at Wagner College while pursuing her MBA in Management.
Vallarelli played collegiately at the University of Massachusetts from 2012-2015. She was a three-year starter in goal during her time at UMass. She graduated as one of the best goalies in both UMass and NCAA history, holding UMass, Atlantic 10 Conference and NCAA records.
The Hartsdale, N.Y. native accumulated for the second most wins in school history (48) while leading the Minutewomen to four-straight Atlantic 10 championships. UMass went undefeated in conference play during Vallarelli's collegiate career, making four NCAA appearances with two first round wins.
Vallarelli had a historic season in 2015, leading the Minutewomen to a 19-2 overall record as the nation's No. 1 goalie. She was the backbone of a defense that was ranked for much of the year as No. 1 in the NCAA. While starting all 21 games in cage, she led the nation with a .523 save percentage and boasted a 5.77 goals against average, which ranked second in the nation and 10th in NCAA History. Vallarelli was the 2015 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, named to the IWLCA All- Northeast Region Second Team, a member of the A-10 All-Conference First Team as well as the A-10 All-Tournament Team. She was named an ECAC All-Star and nominated for UMASS' Athlete of the Year.
In 2014, she ranked second in the nation with a (6.26) GAA, was named to the A-10 All-Conference Second Team and All-Tournament Team. In 2012 Vallarelli was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Internationally, Vallarelli was a member of the United States Women's Lacrosse U-19 Team in 2011 and was invited to try out for the US Senior Team in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016.
She is currently a member of the New York Athletic Club's Lacrosse Team and plays professionally for the Boston Storm of the UWLX.
"We are looking forward to Rachel contributing her knowledge to a team returning many members from a successful 16-17 season," Giglio said. "Our program is looking forward to competing for a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship trophy this year and we are thrilled to have Rachel on staff to help us achieve our goal."
Fresno State is coming off its most successful season in program history. The 2017 Bulldogs broke 25 program records, including most wins in a season (9). Last season, three Bulldogs earned All-MPSF honors. Fresno State returns 13 letterwinners, including nine starters.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Rachel to our coaching staff," Giglio said. "Her passion for the game of lacrosse is evident and her enthusiasm for the sport is indisputable. Rachel was a standout goalkeeper at UMass and will be an excellent addition to our staff."
Most recently, Vallarelli was an assistant coach at Villanova University for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Vallarelli primarily worked with goalkeepers during her time at Villanova. She coached both Jaclyn Fraum and Julia Michaels who combined for a .455 save percentage during the 2016 season. During the 2017 season, Michaels ranked in the top-25 nationally in both save percentage and saves per game.
Prior to Villanova, she spent the fall as a volunteer assistant coach at Wagner College while pursuing her MBA in Management.
Vallarelli played collegiately at the University of Massachusetts from 2012-2015. She was a three-year starter in goal during her time at UMass. She graduated as one of the best goalies in both UMass and NCAA history, holding UMass, Atlantic 10 Conference and NCAA records.
The Hartsdale, N.Y. native accumulated for the second most wins in school history (48) while leading the Minutewomen to four-straight Atlantic 10 championships. UMass went undefeated in conference play during Vallarelli's collegiate career, making four NCAA appearances with two first round wins.
Vallarelli had a historic season in 2015, leading the Minutewomen to a 19-2 overall record as the nation's No. 1 goalie. She was the backbone of a defense that was ranked for much of the year as No. 1 in the NCAA. While starting all 21 games in cage, she led the nation with a .523 save percentage and boasted a 5.77 goals against average, which ranked second in the nation and 10th in NCAA History. Vallarelli was the 2015 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, named to the IWLCA All- Northeast Region Second Team, a member of the A-10 All-Conference First Team as well as the A-10 All-Tournament Team. She was named an ECAC All-Star and nominated for UMASS' Athlete of the Year.
In 2014, she ranked second in the nation with a (6.26) GAA, was named to the A-10 All-Conference Second Team and All-Tournament Team. In 2012 Vallarelli was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Internationally, Vallarelli was a member of the United States Women's Lacrosse U-19 Team in 2011 and was invited to try out for the US Senior Team in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016.
She is currently a member of the New York Athletic Club's Lacrosse Team and plays professionally for the Boston Storm of the UWLX.
"We are looking forward to Rachel contributing her knowledge to a team returning many members from a successful 16-17 season," Giglio said. "Our program is looking forward to competing for a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship trophy this year and we are thrilled to have Rachel on staff to help us achieve our goal."
Fresno State is coming off its most successful season in program history. The 2017 Bulldogs broke 25 program records, including most wins in a season (9). Last season, three Bulldogs earned All-MPSF honors. Fresno State returns 13 letterwinners, including nine starters.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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