via press release – photo from Keiser web site   Keiser University Women’s Lacrosse welcomes Kate Sjaardema as the new assistant coach for the inaugural season. Sjaardema will be assisting head coach Lauren Bennett with all aspects of the program. Sjaardema attended Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania from 2010-12, where she was a member of a squad that won the 2011 PSAC Championship and competed in the 2011 Division II NCAA First Round. Sjaardema began her coaching career as a varsity assistant at St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, Fla., while also working for the Lady Swashbucklers Lacrosse Club in 2013. The following year, Sjaardema became head coach at Cardinal Gibbons in Ft. Lauderdale, leading the team to a district runner-up finish and bouncing the team back from a 3-11 record to 9-9 during her first season. The following season in 2015, Sjaardema was offered the head coaching position at her high school alma mater, Park Vista. The Florida native led Park Vista in taking back the district title from rival, Wellington High School, reaching the first round of regionals and receiving Palm Beach Post Girls Lacrosse Coach the Year for 2015 and 2016. “I am very excited to take my coaching career to the collegiate level,” stated Sjaardema. “I could not be more proud to be a member of the Seahawk family. I am looking forward to working with Lauren and helping her build the women’s lacrosse program from the ground up.” “I am very excited to welcome Kate to the Keiser Women’s Lacrosse family,” stated Bennett. “Kate brings a wealth of lacrosse knowledge and local lacrosse connections to our coaching staff. I am looking forward to working with Kate and building a strong program here in South Florida!” Sjaardema graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2016 with her Bachelors of Science in Geology.