|
|
|
|
women's lacrosse
|
|
|
head coach steve wagner
|
Head Coach Steve Wagner
Steve Wagner enters his sixth
season at the helm of the Gannon women’s lacrosse program. He became Gannon’s
third head coach on July 2, 2003, replacing interim head coach Megan Hallock,
after previously coaching at Division I St. Bonaventure.
Wagner has developed quite a resume during his first head coaching stint.
The Lady Knights have recorded a winning record every season under Wagner,
averaging 10 victories per season. The squad has been nationally ranked every
year, including a No. 8 ranking in the 2008 IWLCA Preseason Poll. He is 50-26
at Gannon.
Wagner has become one of the best coaches in NCAA Division II during his
short time at Gannon. His .658 winning percentage is the sixth-highest among
active NCAA Division II coaches. His 50 victories equal the 10th-highest mark
among active coaches.
Gannon players have been awarded All-America honors 12 times and all-region
accolades 16 times during Wagner’s five seasons as head coach. In the classroom,
Gannon has been just as good under Wagner. The program posted the highest
team grade-point average in the country in 2006-07, according to the IWLCA.
The Lady Knights produced a combined 3.35 team GPA in the fall of 2007. Three
Lady Knights were named to the IWLCA Division II Academic Honor Roll last
season, bringing the total to nine over the last two seasons. Only 66 student-athletes
in the country were honored.
The 2007 season proved to be one of the best in school history. The Lady
Knights reached double digits in victories for the third consecutive season,
finishing 12-4. It was the program’s highest win total since 2001.
Gannon narrowly missed an NCAA Final Four invitation for the fourth consecutive
season in 2007. The Lady Knights were ranked among the nation’s top 10 in
scoring defense (4th, 7.19), scoring margin (5th, 7.56), winning percentage
(7th, .750), scoring offense (8th, 14.75), and ground balls per match (9th,
20.44). Senior defender Joanne Heintz led the nation in ground balls per match
(3.94).
In 2006, Wagner guided the Lady Knights to their 11th consecutive winning
season with an 11-6 record. Gannon finished seventh in the nation in scoring
defense (8.12), eighth in scoring margin (5.65), 11th in scoring offense (13.76),
and 12th in winning percentage (.647). Freshman Krista Schunk was the NCAA
Division II second-leading scorer with 3.94 goals per match.
Gannon excelled both as a team and individually in 2005. The Lady Knights,
who finished 10-4, led the nation in four different categories. Mindy Richmond
was Division II’s best in goals per match (6.29) and points per match (6.64).
Lauren Bevington won the NCAA Division II assist crown for the third consecutive
season with 3.86 per match. Goalkeeper Kisa Bushyeager led Division II in
save percentage (.611).
As a team, Gannon ranked fourth nationally in scoring offense (14.50), sixth
in scoring margin (5.36), eighth in winning percentage (.714), and 11th in
scoring defense (9.14).
Wagner guided the Lady Knights to a 9-5 record in 2004. Among his team’s
accomplishments were road victories over nationally-ranked Pfeiffer (11-8)
and Lock Haven (13-12). The Lady Knights also knocked off Division I Canisius
(19-6) and crosstown rival Mercyhurst (19-7).
Wagner came to Gannon after spending the 2002 season as the top assistant
at St. Bonaventure in Olean, N.Y. Along with Atlantic-10 Head Coach of the
Year Tony Zostant, Wagner helped guide the Bonnies to a 7-9 record in the
program’s third season at the varsity level, including a 13-10 victory over
Gannon on Oct. 5, 2002. St. Bonaventure’s seven victories set a school record
for most victories in a season.
Wagner coached the defense and goalkeepers at St. Bonaventure. He was also
responsible for calling the defensive plays and advance scouting. Under his
direction, two Bonnies received major awards. Catherine Mellon earned Academic
All-America status and Kelly Chevez was named Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year.
Prior to his stint at St. Bonaventure, Wagner spent the 2001 season at SUNY-Brockport.
He served as the defensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles, who finished
19th nationally in goals allowed per match. SUNY-Brockport posted a 10-5 record
and advanced to the SUNYAC semifinals before falling to Oswego, 8-7.
Wagner’s coaching experience also includes stops at St. John Fisher College,
Nazareth College of Rochester, and Brighton Central School District.
Gannon University~University Square ~ Erie, PA 16541-0001
Toll Free: 1-800-GANNON-U
Sports Press Box E-mail
updated 4/8/08 by: drt
|
|
