Alumnus Emily DiGaetano '20 was appointed Women's Lacrosse Assistant Coach in August 2023. DiGaetano's role will include coaching the goalies, a position she was known for during her time competing for the River Hawks in field hockey and lacrosse. Her coaching experience matches this, including working with the prestigious Ultimate Girls Lacrosse.
DiGaetano's first challenge came entering the 2024 season with just one goalie on the roster in sophomore Aerin O'Brien, who showed promise her rookie season in 2023 backing up Emmy Regan. O'Brien played every second in goal for the River Hawks as they won 13 games, the most since 2013, while O'Brien earned Second Team All-Landmark and Second Team IWLCA All-Boardwalk Region.
"I'm very excited to add Emily to our coaching staff this fall," said Head Coach Randall Swope. "Her expertise at the GK position, club and high school coaching experience, combined with being a Susquehanna alum, really put her in a position to succeed right away in our program, with recruiting, and around campus. Her positive energy and excitement for SU in general are really going to benefit our student-athletes."
"I am beyond excited to be back at Susquehanna!" said DiGaetano. "I am grateful for Coach Swope and the Athletics Department for this opportunity to learn and grow as a coach and as a person. Coach Swope has done a lot for the Women's Lacrosse program and is extremely knowledgeable, I am looking forward to learning from her. Can't wait to meet the team and start the 2023-2024 season!"
Originally from Havertown, Pa., DiGaetano has spent her last three years between Selinsgrove working in graphic design, while continuing to channel her passion for coaching lacrosse. She was a volunteer coach for her alma mater at Haverford High School this past spring and spent this summer coaching at Ultimate Girls Lacrosse with the 6-11 age groups. She mentored the goalies at both stops.
DiGaetano graduated from Susquehanna in 2020 with her degree in Graphic Design. She was a member of the field hockey team that captured the 2018 Landmark Conference title and a trip to the NCAA National Tournament. She started 14 games during that season over 16 games played, going 7-7 on the year with four shutouts, 1.25 goals allowed per game (18 total), good for third in the Landmark, and 76.9 save percentage that stood fourth in the conference. Her career numbers put her at 277 saves, which ranks sixth all-time in program history. She competed one season of women's lacrosse in 2017, playing in seven games with a pair of starts and totaling 32 saves.
