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Hometown: Newburgh, N.Y. Education: Villanova University 1997 (Bachelor of Arts) Coaching Experience: Head Coach, Saint Anselm's College (1999-2001) Heac Coach, Villanova University (2001-present) Honors: 2002 Patriot League Coach of the Year 1999 3-3 .500 St. Anselm's 2000 5-8 .385 St. Anselm's 2001 6-11 .353 Villanova 2002 9-8 .529 Villanova 2003 4-11 .267 Villanova Totals 27-41 .397
In three short years, Shannon O'Neil has transformed the Villanova women's lacrosse program.
In O'Neil's first season as head coach, Villanova doubled its win total from the 2000 campaign and qualified for the inagural Patriot League Tournament. This was achieved with the presence of only one senior on the roster and a total of four upperclassmen present.
In 2002, the Wildcats made further progress, completing the season with a 9-8 record and another trip to the Patriot League Tournament. For her efforts, O'Neil was named Patriot League Coach of the Year, becoming the first Wildcat women's lacrosse mentor to be so honored.
Last season, Villanova struggled to a 4-11 mark. However, O'Neil had two players honored by the Patriot League. Senior Meghan Carolyn was named to the All-League First Team for offense, while junior Lauren Ferrara was recognized for her defensive work with Second Team accolades.
This is O'Neil's second stint on the Main Line. She played four seasons of lacrosse for the Wildcats from 1993-97 and is the school's all-time assist leader. She was introduced as the school's new head coach on Aug. 14, 2000 by Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro.
O'Neil, a native of Newburgh, N.Y., originally came to the Main Line as a student in 1993. She became a starter as a freshman and was an integral member of the squad throughout her four year tenure as an undergraduate.
O'Neil was named to the Mid-Atlantic Region All-American team in both 1996 and 1997. She was chosen to participate in the North/South Senior All-Star Game at the conclusion of her senior season in 1997. In addition, she served as one of the Wildcats' co-captains.
Following graduation, O'Neil spent the 1998 campaign as an assistant coach under her predecessor, Joanie Milhous (who now serves as the Villanova field hockey coach).
In 1999, O'Neil was named the first head coach for women's lacrosse at Saint Anslem College in Manchester, N.H. She guided the team to a 3-3 mark in its debut season which consisted of exhibition contests. St. Anselm's was 5-8 in 2000 as it debuted as a Division II sport.
"Building a program from scratch was a tremendous learning experience for me," said O'Neil.
O'Neil, 27, resides in Philadelphia, Pa. |
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