Shenandoah University

Shenandoah University Athletics
1460 University Drive Winchester, VA 22601

Division 3 Virginia Northeast

Private Small National competitor

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Coaches

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Lindsey Lutz

In June 2008, Shenandoah University moved into a new era with its women's lacrosse program with the hiring of Lindsey (West) Lutz as head coach.

Lutz came to SU after spending two seasons as the graduate assistant women's lacrosse coach at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. The Davidsonville, Md. native helped the Bearcats to 14 wins in 2007 and 2008 as the school made its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III.

Lutz, who is fourth women's lacrosse coach in Shenandoah history but the first to concentrate solely on lacrosse, replaced Lois Bowers at the helm of the Hornets.

A 2006 graduate of former USA South Conference foe Methodist University, Lutz was standout player for the Lady Monarchs. She left the Fayetteville, N.C. school as the squad's all-time leading scorer, was a three-time All-USA South Conference selection and earned 2006 USA South Conference Player of the Year honors.

She still holds Methodist records for goals, assists and points in a game.

In May 2012, it was announced that Lutz has been selected for induction into the Methodist University Hall of Fame. She was formally inducted into the Hall in November, 2012.

After graduating in 2006 with a Physical Education/Teacher Licensure degree, Lutz moved on to St. Vincent to pursue her graduate degree in Education. She graduated with that degree in August 2008.

In her first season at the helm of the Hornets, Lutz led SU to a fourth place finish in the league and a spot in the USA South Tournament semi-finals for the first time in three years. In 2010, she piloted her squad to seven regular season wins and a school-record-tying third place finish in the USA South. Following the regular season, Lutz was named as the league's Coach of the Year.

Lutz is the first SU women's lacrosse coach to earn this honor.

In 2020, Lutz was honored as a Coach of the Year again, this time by the Virginia State Sports Information Directors Association. Lutz led SU to a 7-0 start in the COVID-19 shortened season with wins over notable programs such as Christopher Newport University and St. Mary's of Maryland.

As part of her secondary duties, Lutz served as the department's advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee from 2009-14. Under her direction in 2009-10, the SU SAAC raised the most money in both of the USA South Conference community service initiatives. This is the first time ever that the department 'won' both of the initiatives.

Lutz and her husband, Jason, were married in August 2011. They reside in Stephens City and are parents of a girl, Elyse Catherine, and a boy, Owen William.

*Until the 2013 season, Shenandoah University was member of the USA South Conference. In 2013, SU joined the ODAC.

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Kara Phoubandith

Kara Phoubandith joined the Shenandoah University women's lacrosse staff in August, 2021. In October, 2022, she added the compliance coordinator title to her resume. In this latter role, she assists athletics director Dr. Bridget Lyons with the compliance/eligibility tasks within the department.

Phoubandith (POOH-bandit) came to SU after serving as the head girl's lacrosse coach at Saint John's Catholic Prep in Buckeystown, Maryland since the fall of 2019.

Prior to that, the 2019 Hood College grad was an assistant coach at Goucher College during the summer and fall of 2019.

Phoubandith also has extensive club experience, most recently serving as the club director for Renegades Lacrosse Club in Frederick, Maryland. In this role, she oversaw eight youth and high school division teams while managing a team of 25 direct reports.

With the Hornets, she is involved in all aspects of the program including practice and game management, player development, and academic monitoring.