Coaches

Kelly McQuilkin

Kelly McQuilkin was named head women's lacrosse coach in Summer 2022, coming to the Royals from High Point University where she served as associate head women's lacrosse coach. She is the fifth head coach in the Royals' program history.


In her first season, McQuilkin led the Royals to their 10th straight winning season as they posted a 10-8 record. The Royals had a successful first season in the ASUN Conference earning the No. 4 seed heading into the postseason play where they advanced to the semifinal round fo the conference tournament. Additionally, the Royals saw four named to the ASUN All-Conference team while one was named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Queens also had a pair make an appearance on the all-tournament team while three competed in the IWLCA DI Senior All-Star game for the first time.


Queens notched its first DI win on the road at Gardner-Webb and the win was also the first career win for McQuilkin. Caroline Pearce went on to earn ASUN Player of the Week honors following the victory. She was the first honored with the award and one other went on to earn it as well during the season. Grace Guglielmo was the first to earn ASUN Defensive Player of the Week honors, earning the recognition twice during the regular season.


McQuilkin joined the Panthers as an assistant coach in 2017 before being promoted ahead of the fall of 2020. Serving as the recruiting, defensive, and goalie coordinator, she helped top 25 High Point win three straight Big South Tournament Championships and three Big South Regular-Season titles. Additionally, the Panthers have consistently placed defenders and keepers on the All-Big South Team while having players earn Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018, 2019, and 2021. In 2018, the Defensive Player of the Year was also the program's first All-American in history.


In addition to serving as associate head coach of the Panthers, McQuilkin has been the defensive coordinator for the Uganda Women's National Team since last summer. She also spent time as a head coach for Fusion Lacrosse Club.


As a defender for Towson University, McQuilkin served as team captain in her senior season. The three-year starter was ranked top 10 in career caused turnovers for the Tigers and helped the program's defense rank fourth in the nation for a season allowing just 6.8 goals per game. McQuilkin was also one of 100 DI lacrosse players invited to try out for the U.S. National World Cup team just ahead of her senior season. Following her collegiate career, McQuilkin played three seasons of pro-league lacrosse for the WPLL Brave where she was a key player on the defensive unit and member of the 2019 WPLL Championship Team.


McQuilkin graduated from Towson with a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance. She also has an MBA from the University of Baltimore.