press release via Saint Leo’s web site   SAINT LEO, Fla. – Caitlin Hansen’s resume includes experience as a Division II women’s lacrosse player, a coach at all three NCAA divisions, a full-time recruiter, and as a head coach who elevated her program from a sub-.500 level into NCAA post-season play with a conference title and undefeated conference record. That background earned Hansen the nod as Saint Leo University’s new head women’s lacrosse coach, tasked with positioning the Lions to challenge for the Sunshine State Conference title and a berth in the NCAA tournament. “We are excited to welcome Caitlin Hansen to our Saint Leo Athletic Community,” said Francis X. Reidy, Saint Leo’s director of athletics. “We had a profile heading into this search and Coach Hansen checked off each of the qualities we were looking for in impressive fashion. I know our women’s lacrosse team will be excited to be coached, work with, and be developed by Coach Hansen.” Hansen comes to Saint Leo from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., where she has been the head coach for the past four seasons, after taking over the Wildcats’ club program. She capped that run by leading JWU to a 16-5 record in 2017, including a 9-0 conference record and the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship. The Wildcats advanced to their first NCAA tournament berth, after earning the No. 11 ranking in the New England regional poll. Hansen was tabbed as the 2017 GNAC Women’s Lacrosse Coach of the Year, with nine Wildcat players, all recruited by Hansen, receiving All-GNAC honors. The 2017 player honors also included GNAC Goalkeeper of the Year for junior Marianna Consiglio, while senior Lydia Knapp was the only player out of the conference named to the All-Region squad. Over her four years at the helm of Johnson & Wales women’s lacrosse, Hansen posted a 50-23 (.685) overall record as head coach. “I am extremely excited to join the Saint Leo community and for the opportunity to lead the women’s lacrosse program. As soon as I arrived on campus, I knew I wanted to be a part of Athletic Director Fran Reidy’s staff,” said Hansen. “The University’s dedication to their core values and commitment to academic and athletic excellence are truly special. I am thrilled to work in this environment and to return to my Division II roots. I look forward to working with the elite group of coaches, faculty, and staff at Saint Leo University and am most excited to meet the student-athletes and start working toward an SSC championship,” added Hansen. Hansen has also served as a coach with the Team Elevate New England club women’s lacrosse program since 2013. Based out of Providence, Team Elevate is one of the nation’s top club lacrosse organizations. Prior to accepting the position at Johnson & Wales, Hansen served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Bryant University for the 2009 through 2011 seasons. During that span, Bryant reclassified from Division II to Division I and joined the Northeast Conference, with Hansen assisting with on- and off-campus recruiting, practice preparation, game film breakdown and opponent scouting reports, and travel logistics. Hansen also worked in the Bryant Admissions office from 2011 to 2013, recruiting prospective students from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and western Massachusetts. Hansen is a 2008 graduate of Bryant University with a degree in Communications and was a four-year letterwinner with the women’s lacrosse program. A 2007 All-Region honoree, Hansen was a two-time All-Northeast 10 selection and three-times named to the Academic All-Conference team. She is tied for second among Bryant’s all-time (DI + DII) points leaders with 195, and is third among all-time goals leaders with 161. For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women’s lacrosse team, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.