University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy Athletics
4001 West McNichols Road Detroit, MI 48221

Division 1 Michigan Midwest

Private Small Competitive team

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Alexa Matta

The University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics announced that assistant coach Alexa Matta was elevated to the sixth head coach in program history on Aug. 9, 2024.

She took over for Madeline Dugan, who resigned to pursue another coaching opportunity.

Matta joined the program earlier in the summer after a five-year stint as head coach at Siena Heights.

"Alexa has shown great leadership in her short time here and we believe she will keep the upward swing we had last season," said Director of Athletic Robert C. Vowels, Jr. "She has been a head coach, so the transition should be seamless and we look forward to her keeping the program at a championship-caliber contender."

"I am so excited and honored to be named the next head women's lacrosse coach for UDM," said Matta. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Robert Vowels and the entire athletic department for this opportunity to lead the Titans. I'm eager to build on the amazing progress the team made last season and work alongside this talented group to reach new heights."

Matta spent the last five seasons leading Siena Heights, where she tallied 30 total wins and an 18-13 mark in league play in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). During her time, the Saints made back-to-back appearances in the NAIA Tournament, had 14 All-Conference selections, one WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-American and numerous academic accolades.

Last year, Siena Heights led the NAIA with 11 Scholar-Athletes. The 2021 season was one of the best in program history as the Saints qualified for the NAIA women's lacrosse championship for the first time in school history, as the defense allowed a school-record 10.39 goals per game. SHU followed that up with a 10-win season - only the second time in school history it posted back-to-back winning campaigns - and another national tournament berth in 2022. The program also recorded its first WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and NAIA All-American when Marissa Cirino was honored with both awards.

"I can't wait to see what we can achieve together. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this journey, and I'm looking forward to the road ahead!" added Matta.

Prior to arriving at SHU, Matta coached at West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita, California, where she was the offensive coordinator and helped lead the team to the best record in school history and an appearance in the 2018 LA Division semi-finals. She also helped start the High Tide girl's club lacrosse program and coached student-athletes who eventually competed at the NCAA Division I, Division III and NAIA levels.

Matta's familiarity with the WHAC came as a four-year starter for the Indiana Tech women's lacrosse team from 2012-16. She earned First-Team All-WHAC in 2014, 2015, and 2016 on her way to being named a two-time NWLL and NAIA All-American. She averaged 3.61 goals per game for a total of 65 on the season in 2016. Matta helped lead the Warriors women's lacrosse team to the NWLL and NAIA national tournament all four years of her collegiate career.

She graduated from Indiana Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2016.

Matta currently resides in Garden City with her husband, Carlos, and three-year-old daughter, Cleo.

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Nakeeya McCardell

Nakeeya McCardell joined the women's lacrosse team as an assistant coach in September of 2024 as the program's defensive coordinator.

McCardell gained coaching experience with Grit Lacrosse and Tenacity, club programs in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She has also been a coach and administrator for AK Unlimited Lacrosse Camp in South Carolina.

"I am thrilled to welcome Nakeeya to the team!" said head coach Alexa Matta. "With her impressive background, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that perfectly aligns with our vision. Her dedication and work ethic are exactly what we were looking for, and I'm excited to collaborate with her as we strive to elevate our program to new heights!"

"I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to coach alongside coach Matta," said McCardell. "It is an opportunity to lead by example and make an impact both on and off the field. As a first-year coach, I'm thrilled to bring fresh energy and a passion for growth to this program."

She was a standout collegiate student-athlete at Oregon and Clemson from 2021-2024. She played in 66 career games - starting 62 - and tallied 23 points on 17 goals and six assists to go with 79 ground balls, 60 caused turnovers and 46 draw controls.

McCardell started her career with the Ducks as a two-way midfielder and finished fourth on the team with 13 goals, while collecting a career-high 24 ground balls, 17 takeaways and 17 draw controls as a freshman before pulling down a career-best 28 draws with three goals, 17 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers as a sophomore. She then transferred to the Tigers and was a defensive midfielder, registering 21 GB's and 15 CT's as a junior to earn IWLCA All-Region Second Team honors and posted 17 ground balls with 16 caused turnovers and two points as a senior.

McCardell graduated from Clemson with a degree in Health Science.