UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's lacrosse head coach Missy Doherty announced that Sarah Willard has joined her staff as an assistant coach. Willard has served as the associate head coach at Elon for the last three seasons.
"I am so excited to welcome Sarah to our staff," said Doherty. "She brings great knowledge and positive energy to the defensive coordinator position. We can't wait for her to get started in Happy Valley."
At Elon, Willard work primarily with the defensive and the draw units. She helped coach the Phoenix to a 9-8 record in 2024 and to the CAA Conference Championships. She coached the 2024 CAA Rookie of the Year in MJ Santa Barbara. The freshman broke the conference and program's single season record with 151 draw controls. Elon ranked No. 8 in the national in draw control percentage.
"I am thrilled to be joining Missy and the rest of the awesome team at Penn State," said Willard. "The Nittany Lion community is truly exceptional, and I am excited to contribute my experience to its tradition of excellence."
For the last four years, Willard has also worked at Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse as the director of operations. Athletes Unlimited is the women's professional lacrosse league in the U.S. Willard's primary responsibilities included the league's logistical needs on and off the field and the league's liaison to support staff.
Previously, Willard worked at Wagner and Butler where she served as an assistant coach for a season with each program.
Willard played collegiately at Towson where she was a four-year team member and a team captain in 2019. She was a part of a program that won the 2016 CAA Championship and played in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 NCAA Tournaments.
Willard graduated from Towson in 2019 with her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. She is currently working towards her Master of Business Administration at Wagner.
