FSC Women’s Lacrosse Recognized as IWLCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year
NORTOHBOROUGH, MASS. – The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced the 2023 National and Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year in Division I, II, and III where Florida Southern College was recognized as the Division II South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
The IWLCA Coaching Staff of the Year Award honors one National and multiple Regional Coaching Staff of the Year from each NCAA Division and a National Coaching Staff of the Year from the NAIA. Ahead of the 2023 season, the IWLCA Board of Directors approved changing the name of this award to recognize the entire coaching staff, rather than individual coaches. The Mocs add the 2023 South Region Coaching Staff of the Year to the program’s 2017 South Region Coach of the Year, Kara Reber, 2016 National Coach of the Year (Reber) and the 2016 National Assistant Coach of the Year, Marissa Higgins.
The Moccasins were selected as the DII South Region Coaching Staff of the Year after advancing to the program’s fourth NCAA National Semifinal, where the Mocs hold a 3-1 record in such games. Under the direction of head coach Kara Reber, and assistant coaches Rachel Ortell and Brittney Embree, with volunteer coach Brenna O’Neill, Florida Southern posted an 18-4 overall record and finished as the No. 2 team in the country.
After the successful season, which saw 13 wins over top-25 ranked opponents, the Moccasins were recognized with a distinct honor in Polk County as the Female Collegiate Team of the Year while Jackie Stoller, a two-time First Team All-American by the IWLCA and USA Lacrosse Magazine, was named the Polk County Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year.
Along with Stoller’s two All-American honors and Polk County special award, Stoller was named the 2023 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. Gina Verrone was tabbed as the IWLCA Division II National Defender of the Year.
In total, the Mocs had seven All-Sunshine State Conference selections, six IWLCA All-South Region honorees, four IWLCA All-Americans, four USA Lacrosse Magazine All-Americans, two NCAA National Championship All-Tournament Team selections, three named to the SSC All-Tournament Team, three selected to compete at the IWLCA Senior All-Star game, while four earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors with Hailey Daleo earning Third Team Academic All-America honors.
IWLCA Division II Coaching Staffs of the Year
National: Pace University, 2023 NCAA DII National Champions
Atlantic Region: West Chester University, 2023 NCAA DII National Runners-Up
East Region: Pace University
Midwest Region: Maryville University
South Region: Florida Southern College, 2023 NCAA DII National Semifinalists
