University of Charleston Women's Lacrosse
Academic Snapshot
Acceptance Rate
65%
Enrollment
2,083
Team Information
Sport
Lacrosse
Gender
Women's
Division
NCAA Division 2
Location
Charleston, WV
Coaching Staff (8)
Akasha Kasper
Head Coach
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Ryland Luciano
Head Coach
In Luciano’s second season with the Golden Eagle, he became the program’s winningest coach in program history (22) while leading the team to a 12-6 (6-2) record, its winningest season in the program’s ten-year history, and its second winning season ever. UC advanced to the MEC semi-finals behind the team’s draw control unit that ranked 15th in the nation in draw control percentage (57%), and the team’s stingy defensive unit ranked 13th in the country in goals against average (8.3). The team set program records in goals in a season (250), goals per game (13.89), shots per game (31.3), draw controls (253), draw controls per game (14.06), clear percentage (.866), goals against (149), and goals against average (8.3). Individually, junior midfielder Madison Partridge set the program record for goals in a career (176). Additionally, five Golden Eagles were named to the All-MEC First Team, three on the second-team, one honorable mention, and three on the MEC All-Freshman team. During his first season at the helm, he led the team to a 10-8 (6-2) record, its first winning season in the program’s nine-year history. Notable wins include a 13-12 contest over Notre Dame College, it’s first win over the Falcons since 2019, and a 13-8 win over Davis & Elkins in the MEC semi-finals, earning the program’s first playoff win and advancement to its first conference championship game. Six Golden Eagles were named to the All-MEC First Team, one on the second-team, one as an honorable mention, and two to the All-Freshmen Team. All-MEC First Team sophomore attacker Madison Partridge ranked fifth in NCAA Division II goals per game average (4.44) while setting the single-season goals record (72), and All-MEC First Team senior midfielder Gianni Blundell ranked sixth in the nation in assists per game average (3.22). His squad ranked fourth in the nation in caused turnovers per game (14.22). Luciano comes to Charleston after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia's College at Wise for two seasons. While at UVA Wise, he assisted in leading the team to its first win over a top-25 opponent in program history, and the team also received top-25 votes for the first time. Luciano assisted in guiding the Cavaliers back to the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) playoffs, and an advancement to the SAC semifinals, while seven players earned all-conference honors. On top of leading the program’s recruiting efforts, Luciano focused his teaching on the physical and mental side of lacrosse to boost the program's success. Before his time at UVA Wise, Luciano spent a season at Newberry College where he was the assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and goalie coach. In his stint at Newberry, Luciano’s offense set program records in per-game averages in shots, assists, goals & points as the team won its most conference games in program history and qualified for its second-ever conference tournament. Additionally, he helped lead two players to All-South Atlantic Conference recognitions, including the conference leader in goals per game. Prior to coaching at Newberry, Luciano served as the Graduate Assistant Coach at Augsburg University where he earned his Master's of Art in Leadership degree. Additionally, Luciano was the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach of the Hamburg (Germany) Warriors. Luciano led the team to its first national championship game in eleven years, with an offense and defense ranked first and second in the country. The team also won first place finish at the Budapest New Year’s Cup versus international opponents. Prior to heading overseas, Luciano was the assistant coach and goalie coach at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA). In his time at MMA, the Mariners had their first winning season and first North Atlantic Conference playoff berth in program history. He also coached the conference leader in save percentage and goals against average. Luciano began his coaching career at Edinboro University, where he served as an undergraduate assistant coach for the women’s lacrosse team for two years. The Edinboro native was also a three-year captain on the men’s club lacrosse team that reached its first-ever NCLL playoffs in his junior and senior seasons. While at Edinboro, Luciano earned a Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive English and Special Education.
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Anastasia Araviakis
Assistant Coach
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Hannah Scott
Assistant Coach
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Lindley Ward
Assistant Coach
Lindley Ward comes to UC after spending a year working at Piedmont University in Demorest, GA as a strength and conditioning coach for the Sports Performance department and volunteer coach on the women’s lacrosse team. She helped lead the Lions to their second most winningest season in program history, all while leading strength and conditioning programs for women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, swim, and cheerleading. During her lacrosse career at Piedmont, Ward was a 5-year starting midfielder and served as a team captain for 3 years. Her achievements include All USA South Second Team (2023), All USA South Third Team (2022), 2x Player of the Week honors, 3x USA South All-Academic Team (2020, 2021, 2023), and an IWLCA All-Academic Team honor (2023). Ward led her team with 51 ground balls as a junior, 85 draw controls as a senior, and caused turnovers in both her junior (27) and senior (26) seasons, while also holding Piedmont’s program record for caused turnovers with 7 in a single game. In total, the standout midfielder tallied a total of 101 goals, 182 draw controls, 134 ground balls, and 87 caused turnovers over her career. The Snellville, GA native graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Coaching in 2024, complemented by minors in Business and Religion, and earned her Master of Science in Health & Human Performance in 2025. As a student, she actively contributed to campus life as a mentor in the SAIL program, a member of the Student Government Association (SGA), and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
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Melanie Rizzotti
Assistant Coach
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Laurelle Weisbrod
Assistant Coach
Laurelle Helene Weisbrod is a dedicated and versatile lacrosse coach with a strong foundation as an NCAA student-athlete, coach, and athletic trainer. With a wide-ranging background in leadership, athletic development, and sports medicine, she brings a well-rounded and driven approach to collegiate athletics. Laurelle earned her bachelor’s degree in individualized study with a pre-med emphasis from Eastern Michigan University in 2025, combining academic excellence with hands-on experience in athlete performance and care. Laurelle’s collegiate playing career includes experience at both NCAA Division I and II levels. She began her journey at Jacksonville University in 2021, where she was a member of the team that won the ASUN Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. She later transferred to Concordia University, St. Paul, where she appeared in 11 games, scored eight goals, and added three assists. Despite missing a season due to injury during her time at Concordia, she made a strong comeback with a breakout 2023 campaign that included a career-best two goals in a 15-14 win over Davenport and academic honors on the GLIAC Academic Excellence Team for maintaining a GPA above 3.5. At Eastern Michigan University, Laurelle made her debut in 2024, appearing in games against Howard and Butler. Despite missing a full season due to injury, she remained actively involved with the team, contributing to its growth and competitive culture through her leadership and experience. In addition to her playing career, Laurelle brings over a decade of coaching experience with the Delta Lacrosse Association and Delta Lacrosse Academy, focusing on player development, mentorship, and fostering a positive team culture. She has coached and evaluated talent for Team British Columbia’s Midget Boys Evaluation Camps and competed for Team BC from 2017 to 2020. Alongside coaching, Laurelle has accumulated more than 2,000 hours of athletic training experience with the Delta Islanders Junior Men’s Lacrosse program, providing injury prevention, care, and rehabilitation. Certified in First Aid, CPR, and sports taping, she combines her pre-med background with fluency in English and French to support athlete safety, recovery, and holistic development.
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Elizabeth Gainer
Assistant Coach
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