CONWAY - Coastal Carolina University head women's lacrosse coach Kristen Selvage announced Tuesday the hiring of Katie McConnell as the program's newest assistant coach. McConnell previously served as an assistant under Selvage at Lock Haven University from 2013-15.

McConnell joined the Lock Haven coaching staff prior to the 2013 season after finishing a four-year playing career with the Lady Eagles in the spring of 2012. In her three seasons as an assistant, Lock Haven posted a 54-7 (.885) overall record and made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division II national championship game in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. McConnell also helped the Lady Eagles to two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships.

In 2013, McConnell's first season as an assistant, Lock Haven finished 15-3 overall and went unbeaten in 11 PSAC games. The Eagles did not advance past the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but ended the season with a final Division II national ranking of No. 6.

The 2014 Lock Haven squad posted a 19-3 overall record (11-1 PSAC), captured its first PSAC championship in three years and advanced to the NCAA DII title game for the first time since 2009. McConnell was named the 2014 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II Assistant Coach of the Year for coaching an Eagle defense that finished the season having allowed just 129 goals in 22 contests for a 5.78 goals against average.

McConnell helped guide the 2015 Lock Haven squad to its first undefeated regular season since 1973. The Eagles then captured their second straight PSAC championship before making a return appearance to the Division II championship game where they suffered their only loss of the season.

In her three seasons as an assistant McConnell coached 11 All-Americans, including five in 2015.

As a student-athlete, McConnell started every game of her four-year career and was the leader of Lock Haven's defense. She helped lead Lock Haven to three consecutive PSAC championships and trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a national championship appearance in 2009 and semifinal appearance in 2010.

McConnell graduated from Lock Haven in May of 2012 with a degree in sports administration.