BIDDEFORD, Maine -- University of New England Director of Athletics Heather Davis announced Tuesday (December 21) the hiring of Bridget Lawless as the fifth head coach in the history of the women's lacrosse program.

"I am thrilled to welcome Bridget Lawless as our new head women's lacrosse coach," Davis commented. "Bridget conveyed a passion for coaching, a commitment for growing the game, and a track record of successful player development and recruiting achievement in both the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. I am confident she will offer our student-athletes a positive experience while building upon the foundation of success achieved by our former head coach, Sue Estabrook. I would like to thank the chair of our search committee, Curt Smyth, and the other committee members for their efforts in conducting an extremely competitive national search."

Lawless comes to UNE following one very abbreviated season (2021) as head coach at the University of Maine-Farmington [NCAA III], where she guided the Beavers to a 2-2 mark.

Before UMF, she was a full-time assistant coach for two years (2019-20) with Washington & Jefferson College [NCAA III] in Pennsylvania, helping the Presidents to a .857 conference win rate and an appearance in the league final in 2019. The 2020 season was cut short. Lawless has also been the head girls coach of Coastal Lacrosse Club in Massachusetts since 2017.

Lawless graduated from Salem State University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in sport and movement science. She played three seasons (2016-18) and was a captain for the Vikings [NCAA III], totaling 34 goals and 17 assists over 50 games played. The Swampscott, Mass. native then earned a master's degree in sports leadership from Endicott College in 2020.

"I'm so excited and grateful to be named the next women's lacrosse coach at the University of New England," Lawless shared. "Thank you to Heather Davis and Curt Smyth for giving me this amazing opportunity to continue growing a championship culture within the lacrosse program at an institution equally focused on academics and providing a positive student-athlete experience. There is a real sense of pride within the UNE community, and I can't wait to get started."

UNE women's lacrosse will officially open the 2022 campaign on February 26 at the University of Southern Maine.

Lawless replaces Estabrook, who stepped down in November after 13 seasons. During that span, the Nor'easters had a .583 winning percentage in conference matches and reached the league semifinals seven times in the 11 chances prior to the pandemic.