Elisabeth Blackwell - Fresno State

Elisabeth Blackwell made an immediate impact to the success of the Fresno State lacrosse program in her first year as assistant coach, working primarily with the defenders and goalkeepers, after coming to Fresno State following a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb of the Big South Conference.

Blackwell assisted in getting the Bulldog student-athletes prepared for different positions as there were player position adjustments made throughout the season for the success of the team.

Blackwell trained the Bulldog goalies, who chalked a program-high 192 saves, this season. Junior goalkeeper Laurel Maunder recorded a record-high 181 saves this season with 20 saves in a game. On the defensive end, Blackwell helped coach key Bulldogs in defenders Abbigayle Roberts and Olivia Mannon, who both were selected as All-MPSF defenders, along with Maunder who was selected as the MPSF All-Conference goalkeeper.

During her time at Gardner-Webb, 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 was a four-year letter winner at Barron Collier (Fla.) High in Naples, helping the Cougars to a pair of state championships and another runner-up finish. Blackwell earned All-County and All-Region honors and was team MVP in 2010.

She graduated from Stetson in 2015 with a degree in Biology.