Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Lacrosse Revamps Coaching Staff
8/29/2018 3:27:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State women's lacrosse coach Jessica Giglio added two new assistant coaches to her staff on Wednesday in Elisabeth Blackwell and Mollie Stevens. The two assistants will join the Bulldog program in the early stages of their careers after starring in their own rights for their respective universities.
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"I look forward to having both Elisabeth and Mollie join our Bulldog Family," said Giglio. "They bring a wealth of knowledge as coaches and players, and they will be impactful additions."
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Mollie Stevens comes to Fresno State after spending the last year as a general manager and athlete development coach at The Edge Training Academy. During that time, Stevens also had the privilege of being a member of the US National Team training roster and competing for the Upstate Pride of the Women's Professional Lacrosse League over the summer. That experience will play a large factor in the development of a Bulldog team on the rise with five incoming freshman.
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On top of her professional and training experience, the Centreville, Md., native joins the Bulldog staff after a decorated collegiate career at the University of Florida. As a four-year starter, Stevens racked up multiple accolades over each season. To name a few, the 2017 team captain was named the 2017 BIG EAST Attacker of the Year, 2017 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player, to the 2017 IWLCA All-America First Team (First Team All-Region), the 2017 IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week once and the Alpha Lacrosse National Player of the Week once in her senior year alone. The most prestigious of all those awards, Stevens was named a 2017 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 Nominee.
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Along with award honors, Stevens rewrote the Gators' record books with a few of her own. She set the Florida single-season record for draw controls (84) in just 15 games, set the Florida record for single-game draw controls (11) and set the Florida single season ground ball record (48). For her career, Stevens is in the top 10 in Gator history in points, points per game, goals and goals per game. Most notably, she has the fifth-most goals in program history at 159. Stevens graduated in the spring of 2017 with a degree in tourism, event and recreation management.
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Elisabeth Blackwell comes to Fresno State after a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb of the Big South Conference. During her time there, she helped coach the Runnin' Bulldogs to multiple individual successes such as senior Amanda Steinmuller racking up 61 points on the year through 39 goals and 22 assists along with freshman Talen Francis tying the program's freshman scoring record with 44 points on the season and earning Big South Women's Lacrosse Freshman of the Week honors on three separate occasions.
The Naples, Fla., native joined the Gardner-Webb coaching staff after spending the 2016 season as a volunteer assistant at Atlantic Coast Conference member Louisville.
During her season at Louisville, Blackwell helped the Cardinals forge a 12-6 overall record, including an impressive 8-1 mark at home. The Cardinals advanced to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, falling to Northwestern in the opening round.
Two Cardinals earned All-ACC honors, three earned IWLCA All-Region honors and Kaylin Morissette was named first-team IWLCA All-America after scoring 56 points (37 goals, 19 assists). Morissette, also a Tewaaraton Award nominee, was selected by the Philadelphia Force in the 2016 UWLX (United Women's Lacrosse League) Draft.
Prior to joining the Louisville staff, Blackwell spent her final three collegiate seasons at Stetson. The standout defender started 43 games and was a Co-Captain in 2015. That season, she helped anchor the top defense in program history.
Blackwell spent her freshman season at LIU-Brooklyn, starting all 16 games for the Blackbirds in 2011. She graduated from Stetson in 2015 with a degree in Biology.
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As the 'Dogs prepare for the upcoming 2019 season, the combination of talent and experience from Stevens and Blackwell will be a major asset to the squad.
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"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.bulldogschoarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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Follow us on:
Twitter: @fresnostatelax
Instagram: @fresnostatelax
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"I look forward to having both Elisabeth and Mollie join our Bulldog Family," said Giglio. "They bring a wealth of knowledge as coaches and players, and they will be impactful additions."
Â
Mollie Stevens comes to Fresno State after spending the last year as a general manager and athlete development coach at The Edge Training Academy. During that time, Stevens also had the privilege of being a member of the US National Team training roster and competing for the Upstate Pride of the Women's Professional Lacrosse League over the summer. That experience will play a large factor in the development of a Bulldog team on the rise with five incoming freshman.
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On top of her professional and training experience, the Centreville, Md., native joins the Bulldog staff after a decorated collegiate career at the University of Florida. As a four-year starter, Stevens racked up multiple accolades over each season. To name a few, the 2017 team captain was named the 2017 BIG EAST Attacker of the Year, 2017 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player, to the 2017 IWLCA All-America First Team (First Team All-Region), the 2017 IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week once and the Alpha Lacrosse National Player of the Week once in her senior year alone. The most prestigious of all those awards, Stevens was named a 2017 Tewaaraton Award Top-25 Nominee.
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Along with award honors, Stevens rewrote the Gators' record books with a few of her own. She set the Florida single-season record for draw controls (84) in just 15 games, set the Florida record for single-game draw controls (11) and set the Florida single season ground ball record (48). For her career, Stevens is in the top 10 in Gator history in points, points per game, goals and goals per game. Most notably, she has the fifth-most goals in program history at 159. Stevens graduated in the spring of 2017 with a degree in tourism, event and recreation management.
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Elisabeth Blackwell comes to Fresno State after a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb of the Big South Conference. During her time there, she helped coach the Runnin' Bulldogs to multiple individual successes such as senior Amanda Steinmuller racking up 61 points on the year through 39 goals and 22 assists along with freshman Talen Francis tying the program's freshman scoring record with 44 points on the season and earning Big South Women's Lacrosse Freshman of the Week honors on three separate occasions.
The Naples, Fla., native joined the Gardner-Webb coaching staff after spending the 2016 season as a volunteer assistant at Atlantic Coast Conference member Louisville.
During her season at Louisville, Blackwell helped the Cardinals forge a 12-6 overall record, including an impressive 8-1 mark at home. The Cardinals advanced to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, falling to Northwestern in the opening round.
Two Cardinals earned All-ACC honors, three earned IWLCA All-Region honors and Kaylin Morissette was named first-team IWLCA All-America after scoring 56 points (37 goals, 19 assists). Morissette, also a Tewaaraton Award nominee, was selected by the Philadelphia Force in the 2016 UWLX (United Women's Lacrosse League) Draft.
Prior to joining the Louisville staff, Blackwell spent her final three collegiate seasons at Stetson. The standout defender started 43 games and was a Co-Captain in 2015. That season, she helped anchor the top defense in program history.
Blackwell spent her freshman season at LIU-Brooklyn, starting all 16 games for the Blackbirds in 2011. She graduated from Stetson in 2015 with a degree in Biology.
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As the 'Dogs prepare for the upcoming 2019 season, the combination of talent and experience from Stevens and Blackwell will be a major asset to the squad.
Â
"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.bulldogschoarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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Follow us on:
Twitter: @fresnostatelax
Instagram: @fresnostatelax
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