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Princess L. Zabel
Bates College is excited to announce Princess L. Zabel as the new head coach of its women's lacrosse program. Zabel, a dynamic and accomplished coach with over a decade of experience, brings a proven track record of success, leadership, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
Zabel, now the eighth head coach in program history, joins Bates after a highly successful tenure at the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), where she most-recently guided the Blue Jays to a remarkable 10-1 conference record (12-5 overall), and their first playoff berth since 2014. With extensive experience at multiple high-caliber programs, Zabel is uniquely positioned to elevate the Bates Women's Lacrosse program to new heights.
"I am thrilled to join Bates College and take on the role of Head Women's Lacrosse Coach," said Zabel. "Bates has long been recognized for its excellence in academics and athletics, and the opportunity to lead the Bobcats in the highly competitive NESCAC is both exciting and humbling. I look forward to working with our student-athletes to build a championship-caliber team that excels on the field, in the classroom, and beyond."
Zabel has a strong background in both coaching and player development, with a particular focus on building strong, cohesive teams and fostering a positive, inclusive environment. She has coached 16 All-Conference players and 19 All-Academic selections, while guiding her teams to 15 NCAA statistical rankings. Her coaching philosophy is grounded in developing student-athletes' skills, character, and academic success, ensuring they leave the program with a lasting sense of pride and connection.
"I am confident that Princess will be a transformative leader for our women's lacrosse program," said Will Rothermel, Interim Director of Athletics at Bates College. "Her commitment to excellence and ability to inspire and develop student-athletes will be instrumental as we continue to elevate the program. I look forward to seeing the Bobcats achieve new levels of success under her leadership."
In addition to her coaching expertise, Zabel brings a wealth of experience in recruitment, fundraising, and alumni engagement. She has demonstrated an ability to connect with top-tier talent and develop strong relationships with student-athletes, families, and alumni. Her connections with leading club programs and her work with diverse student-athletes will position Bates to continue attracting exceptional talent to the program.
Zabel also serves as the owner and director of Black Pirate Lacrosse, an organization she founded in 2019 that focuses on recruiting events, youth program consulting, and athlete performance.
Before her tenure at Saint Joseph, Zabel also served in various capacities at High Point University, Sacred Heart University, Bucknell University, Central Connecticut State University (head coach) and Villanova University, making significant contributions to those respective programs. She also currently serves as the head coach for the Dominican Republic Women's National Lacrosse Team, preparing it for the PALA 2025 Games and World Games in 2026.
Zabel's leadership style emphasizes personal mentorship, academic achievement, and a commitment to student-athlete well-being. She is excited to build on the strong foundation of the Bates program in an effort to elevate the program to national prominence.
"I am deeply committed to advancing the legacy of Bates Women's Lacrosse, empowering our student-athletes to succeed both on the field and in their academic pursuits, and creating a meaningful connection that lasts a lifetime," Zabel added.
A member of the Danbury (Conn.) High School Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Zabel graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in sociology. A former Division I women's lacrosse student-athlete, Princess earned Big East Conference honors while laying the foundation for her successful coaching career.
Zabel replaces Renee Dowd who resigned in November to take over the helm of the women's lacrosse program at Franklin & Marshall.
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