Photo by: Bob McCool, Coastal Athletic Media Relations
Fitzgerald and Giacolone Join Whitten’s Coaching Staff
9/7/2021 10:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
The three reunite after two seasons together at Furman University
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina women's lacrosse head coach Rachel Shuck Whitten has announced two familiar additions to her staff for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
Erin Fitzgerald and Samantha Giacolone will join Whitten's staff after the three worked together the past two seasons at Furman University.
Fitzgerald, a Northwestern alumnus, joins Coastal Carolina as the associate head coach and offensive and recruiting coordinator after spending four years in Greenville.
According to Whitten, Fitzgerald's high IQ and experience will be an asset to the Chanticleer program.
"This is the start of my fifth year with Erin, and her experience and knowledge of the game speak for itself. She knows how to connect with the players and develop their talents."
A native of Mt. Sinai, N.Y., Fitzgerald joined the Paladins in 2017 where she helped them to two SoCon regular-season championships in 2019 and 2021 and reach three consecutive SoCon tournament championship games (2018, 2019, and 2021).
She coached seven All-SoCon performers throughout her time in Greenville, including 2021 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year Hannah Demis and SoCon Freshman of the Year Meagan Beal. Demis finished the 2021 campaign fourth nationally in both assists and assists per game and 19th in points, while Kyra LaMotte earned first-team All-SoCon accolades after ranking 15th in the nation for goals and 21st in goals per game.
Fitzgerald led Furman to the Southern Conference's top-scoring offense in 2021. They ranked 15th in the nation, averaging 15.06 goals and 22.00 points per game while setting a new school record with 256 goals, surpassing the old record of 246 in 2019.
During her playing days at Northwestern, she lettered four times from 2010-13 while helping the Wildcats advance to four NCAA Division I Final Fours and win two national championships. She was twice named an IWLCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2013 after picking up second-team recognition in 2012. In addition, she was nominated for the Tewaarton Award in 2013, presented annually to the NCAA's best lacrosse player.
A two-time American Lacrosse Conference selection, Fitzgerald currently ranks eighth all-time at Northwestern with 190 goals and 10th with 216 points. She was twice named Academic All-Big Ten in 2012 and 2013.
Giacolone joins Whitten's CCU staff as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator after two seasons together at Furman in the same role.
Coach Whitten believes Giacolone's assets are a combination of experience and youthful exuberance.
"She is starting her third year by my side, and as a recent college graduate, she brings a lot of energy and excitement to our locker room. In addition, she most recently tried out for the U.S. National Team, and bringing that experience to our team is very valuable."
Giacolone was a four-year starter in goal with Notre Dame and finished her career as the Fighting Irish's all-time saves leader (605) and all-time wins leader (47). Giacolone was 47-28 in goal for her career at ND. She played 4205:06 minutes, turned in a 9.52 goals-against average, posted a .476 save percentage, picked up 178 ground balls, and caused 30 turnovers.
She picked up plenty of accolades in her Irish career, including IWLCA Second Team All-America honors in 2019. In addition, Giacolone was a four-time ACC Academic Honor Roll honoree, a two-time All-ACC Academic Team member, a five-time ACC Defensive Player of the Week honoree, and a two-time IWLCA National Player of the Week.
As a senior in 2019, Giacolone was named to the Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-American second team, All-ACC first team, first-team IWLCA All-Region, and named one of the Top 25 finalists for the Tewaaraton Award.
Giacolone was also a member of the U-19 National Women's Lacrosse team in 2014-15, representing the United States in Edinburg, Scotland.
For complete coverage of CCU women's lacrosse, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWLax (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
Erin Fitzgerald and Samantha Giacolone will join Whitten's staff after the three worked together the past two seasons at Furman University.
Fitzgerald, a Northwestern alumnus, joins Coastal Carolina as the associate head coach and offensive and recruiting coordinator after spending four years in Greenville.
According to Whitten, Fitzgerald's high IQ and experience will be an asset to the Chanticleer program.
"This is the start of my fifth year with Erin, and her experience and knowledge of the game speak for itself. She knows how to connect with the players and develop their talents."
A native of Mt. Sinai, N.Y., Fitzgerald joined the Paladins in 2017 where she helped them to two SoCon regular-season championships in 2019 and 2021 and reach three consecutive SoCon tournament championship games (2018, 2019, and 2021).
She coached seven All-SoCon performers throughout her time in Greenville, including 2021 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year Hannah Demis and SoCon Freshman of the Year Meagan Beal. Demis finished the 2021 campaign fourth nationally in both assists and assists per game and 19th in points, while Kyra LaMotte earned first-team All-SoCon accolades after ranking 15th in the nation for goals and 21st in goals per game.
Fitzgerald led Furman to the Southern Conference's top-scoring offense in 2021. They ranked 15th in the nation, averaging 15.06 goals and 22.00 points per game while setting a new school record with 256 goals, surpassing the old record of 246 in 2019.
During her playing days at Northwestern, she lettered four times from 2010-13 while helping the Wildcats advance to four NCAA Division I Final Fours and win two national championships. She was twice named an IWLCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2013 after picking up second-team recognition in 2012. In addition, she was nominated for the Tewaarton Award in 2013, presented annually to the NCAA's best lacrosse player.
A two-time American Lacrosse Conference selection, Fitzgerald currently ranks eighth all-time at Northwestern with 190 goals and 10th with 216 points. She was twice named Academic All-Big Ten in 2012 and 2013.
Giacolone joins Whitten's CCU staff as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator after two seasons together at Furman in the same role.
Coach Whitten believes Giacolone's assets are a combination of experience and youthful exuberance.
"She is starting her third year by my side, and as a recent college graduate, she brings a lot of energy and excitement to our locker room. In addition, she most recently tried out for the U.S. National Team, and bringing that experience to our team is very valuable."
Giacolone was a four-year starter in goal with Notre Dame and finished her career as the Fighting Irish's all-time saves leader (605) and all-time wins leader (47). Giacolone was 47-28 in goal for her career at ND. She played 4205:06 minutes, turned in a 9.52 goals-against average, posted a .476 save percentage, picked up 178 ground balls, and caused 30 turnovers.
She picked up plenty of accolades in her Irish career, including IWLCA Second Team All-America honors in 2019. In addition, Giacolone was a four-time ACC Academic Honor Roll honoree, a two-time All-ACC Academic Team member, a five-time ACC Defensive Player of the Week honoree, and a two-time IWLCA National Player of the Week.
As a senior in 2019, Giacolone was named to the Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-American second team, All-ACC first team, first-team IWLCA All-Region, and named one of the Top 25 finalists for the Tewaaraton Award.
Giacolone was also a member of the U-19 National Women's Lacrosse team in 2014-15, representing the United States in Edinburg, Scotland.
For complete coverage of CCU women's lacrosse, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWLax (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
Sunday, February 16
Monday, February 10
Saturday, February 08
Monday, February 03
