Palm Beach Atlantic University

West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Florida Southeast
Private Small Developing team
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Laurie Podmilsak

Palm Beach Atlantic University athletic director Courtney Lovely Evans announced Laurie Podmilsak as the head coach of PBA women's lacrosse in May 2024 after Podmilsak served as the interim head coach of the women's lacrosse program for the 2024 season.


Podmilsak took over the program in December of 2023 and guided the Sailfish lacrosse program to three victories in 2024. The Sailfish earned home victories over Catawba, Holy Family, and North Greenville in the non-conference portion of their schedule. Every team the 'Fish played in their Sunshine State Conference schedule was nationally ranked but PBA played their best games of the year against No. 7 Rollins and No. 11 Embry-Riddle, pushing them to the brink before falling in the final minutes.


"It is with great anticipation that I accept the permanent head women's lacrosse coach position at Palm Beach Atlantic University," said Podmilsak. "It was easily the best part of my day to spend time with our team as interim head coach this past season. They demonstrated accountability, integrity, love, and respect to me and their teammates. I am committed to the leading PBA women's lacrosse program in competitive and academic excellence. I remain grateful to Courtney Lovely Evans and TJ Budd for their trust in me to lead this incredible team. I pray that God will use me to inspire and support our team to be faithful, confident, passionate, and purpose-driven women."


Under the leadership of Podmilsak at the helm of the program, PBA attacker Rachel Delate set the school's single-season goal-scoring record with 49. Sailfish goalie Courtney Rausch also set records by breaking the school's career saves record this season with 248.

Podmilsak has previous head coaching experience at Howard University where she started the lacrosse program from 1998-2000. Since her time in the collegiate game, Podmilsak has been director and coach of Future Elite Lacrosse Club in Fairfax, Virginia and Utah Express Lacrosse in Park City, Utah.


Before becoming a coach, Podmilsak played for four seasons at James Madison where her teams were ranked in the top-10 every season. She graduated from James Madison with a degree in psychology teacher education and a master's degree in special education from George Mason. Podmilsak was named to the Potomac Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2013.

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Chelsea Lea

Chelsea Lea joined the Sailfish women's lacrosse staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2023 season.


Prior to joining the coaching staff, Chelsea played four years at PBA and was a team leader during her time with the Sailfish. She played in 32 games, starting 22, as a midfielder. She scored 22 career goals and added 8 assists while winning 102 draw controls. She was named to the SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll twice, a two time Provost's List member, and a four time Athletic Director's List member while graduating with a degree in exercise science.

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Jesse Vanatta

Vanatta was named the head coach of the PBA men's lacrosse program in May of 2022 after serving as the interim head coach for the 2022 season.


Vanatta led the Sailfish to their best season in the third year of his tenure. The 'Fish finished 6-5 on the year and 2-5 in Sunshine State Conference play. PBA ran the table in their non-conference slate to start the season 4-0 and earned SSC wins over No. 20 ranked Saint Leo and Embry-Riddle. The Sailfish narrowly missed out on their first SSC Tournament due to a tiebreaker. Defender Hunter Sheffield earned All-SSC third team honors.


In his second season, Vanatta added Brett Bernardo to the coaching staff as an assistant coach and added 13 new players. PBA picked up a dominant win over Davis & Elkins 22-5 on Mar. 7. The ‘Fish tied a program record for most goals in a game when they defeated Quincy 23-11 on Mar. 17. Additionally, freshman Cooper Porter was named to the SSC All-Freshman team.


In his first year at the helm, Vanatta helped the team improve on the field and spiritually, implementing weekly Bible studies with the team. He strives to mirror the lacrosse program with the mission of Palm Beach Atlantic. Vanatta and several of his student-athletes have connections with FCA and the local Christian lacrosse community in Palm Beach County which strives to use the sport as a platform for ministry.


On the field, he exceeded expectations, leading the Sailfish to first-ever wins against Lincoln Memorial, North Greenville, Assumption, and Flagler. At the beginning of March, the team tied the program’s longest winning streak. The Sailfish earned four all-conference honors this season, tying the most all-conference awards in a single season in program history. Other notable achievements from Vanatta’s first season at the helm are Henry Sloyan becoming the program’s career goals leader and defender Gunner Gebelein reaching 200 groundballs and 100 caused turnovers in his career.


A PBA graduate in 2013, Vanatta was a three-year captain of the club team and was selected as an all-conference performer. He helped guide the team to their first-ever conference championship appearance as a player in 2010 and to their first national championship tournament appearance as a coach in 2013. Since graduating, he's served as the defensive coordinator for the club team and assisted with administrative duties including game planning, scheduling, travel and equipment. In addition to his work at PBA he was part of FCA Lacrosse South Florida from 2013-17 and has worked with the Florida Launch of Major League Lacrosse since 2014.


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