UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's lacrosse and head coach Missy Doherty are excited to announce the addition of assistant coach Nicole Grote to the program. Grote will join the Nittany Lions for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.
"We are so excited to have Nikki as our offensive coordinator," said Doherty. "She is a great teacher and a positive motivator and I'm very excited for the ideas she is going to bring to our offense."
"I am beyond thrilled for this new adventure in Happy Valley," said Grote. "I am looking forward to working with an elite program in the Big Ten and can't wait to join the staff and this incredible Penn State family."
Grote comes to Happy Valley after spending the previous two seasons at LaSalle University in the same role (2019-21). Under her guidance, the Explorers' offense averaged 12.7 goals per game in 2020 and 11.64 goals in 2021. She was also LaSalle's recruiting coordinator.
Prior to LaSalle, Grote coached two seasons at American University as the Eagles' offensive coordinator (2017-19), elevating the team's offensive production to its highest levels in years. She also spent one season at Iona College (2016-17) as an assistant coach.
She also has coaching experience at the youth and high school levels, most recently as the head coach for Mesa Lacrosse and assistant coach for Triple H Lacrosse, both in Philadelphia.
Grote was a four-year starting attacker at New Hampshire from 2012-16 which included being named team captain her senior year. As a senior, Grote was named an America East All-Conference second team performer and earned All-Tournament team honors after ranking second on her team in points (38) and assists (19) and third in goals (19). Grote was also an America East All-Rookie team performer in 2013 after a 15-goal season.
A native of Ellicott City, Md., she graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology: Sports Studies.
