Chapman University Women's Lacrosse

Kirkpatrick took over as head coach of the women's lacrosse program prior to the 2015 season. He has elevated the program to new heights and guided the Panthers through a historic 2016 season. In just his second year at the helm, Kirkpatrick led Chapman to the best season in its brief history and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. In just its fourth season as a varsity program, he has molded the program into one of the best in the SCIAC and on the West Coast. Kirkpatrick served as an assistant coach on the women's lacrosse team during its transition from a club sport to varsity sport. He spent three years as an assistant before being named the head coach. Kirkpatrick began his coaching career in 2010, less than a year removed from his college playing career. Kirkpatrick was a four-year member of Chapman's men's lacrosse team, serving as the team goalie from 2006-09 and was inducted into the program's Hall of Fame in 2012. He spent five years as an assistant with the men's club team. The women's lacrosse team finished its 2015 season 8-6 but made the leap to 15-5 in 2016. The Panthers advanced all the way to the SCIAC Championship match and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament - the first in program history. The Panthers trip to the title match was its second in four years. In 2016, they had seven All-SCIAC selections and five IWLCA All-region selections. His first season as Head Coach saw five Panthers earn All-SCIAC honors.

Delaney Benson was originally hired as the Interim Head Coach for the women's lacrosse program prior to the 2024 season. After a successful season, the interim tag was dropped and Benson was hired into the permanent position before the 2024-25 school year. She enters her third season as Head Coach in 2025-26. Benson is the third head coach in the history of Chapman NCAA Division III program and the first woman to lead the varsity program. In her first season, she led the Panthers to a 9-6 overall record and a third-place finish in the SCIAC. A native of southern California, Benson returned to the area after her lacrosse career took her from Colorado to Israel. As a student-athlete, Benson played collegiately for four years at NCAA Division II Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. After graduating in 2020, Benson joined the Israel National Team and competed at the Women's World Championships in 2022. She earned the Spirit of Lacrosse Award at the world championships. While in Israel, Benson committed to the Israel Lacrosse Association and became a Program Director for youth programs. She spent the next year and a half recruiting and introducing lacrosse to girls in Israel. She returned to the United States and coached for one year as an assistant at the College of Wooster, helping the Fighting Scots to an 11-5 overall record in 2023. Since moving back to southern California, Benson has coached with the SoCal Express and Alliance Club in Orange County. She earned her degree in Exercise Physiology in 2020 from Fort Lewis College.