CMU Names Ward New Lacrosse Head Coach

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Amy Folan, Central Michigan University Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/director of athletics, today announced the hire of Emilia Ward as the second head coach of the CMU lacrosse program.

Ward has 13 years of coaching experience including tenures at Michigan (2021-22) and Marquette (2019-21) over the past three seasons. She also served as the head coach at Northern Michigan from 2015-19, serving as the inaugural leader of the program.

"We are excited to welcome Emilia to our program," Folan said. "She brings to our program a diverse background and a great understanding on how to provide a championship experience for our student-athletes. I was impressed on both the team and individual experiences she wanted to provide, and I know she will build on the great things that have happened recently for future success."

Ward coached during the 2022 season at Michigan, working directly with the goalkeepers, as the Wolverines advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. The goalie unit ranked second in Big Ten in goals against average and save percentage and were also top 10 in nation. She helped goalie Arielle Weissman to a bevy of postseason honors – Inside Lacrosse All-America second team, Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association All-America third team, USA Lacrosse Magazine All-America honorable mention, IWLCA West/Midwest All-Region first team and second team All-Big Ten.

"I am honored and excited to take over the reins of the CMU Lacrosse program," Ward said. "I have had the pleasure of seeing the program grow over the years and can't wait to get to work on the next era. Thank you to the administration for all their support through this process and making me already feel at home in Mt. Pleasant."

During Ward's time at Marquette, she worked directly with the defense and goalkeepers. She also handled operations duties along with academic liaison responsibilities as the program had a 3.45 grade point average during her two seasons.

Ward helped Sophia Leva to 2021 All-BIG EAST honors, the first Marquette goalie in history to earn the honor, after she led the conference in saves, saves per game and save percentage. In 2020 under Ward's leadership, Marquette ranked second in the Big East in saves per game and save percentage. Leva set the single season program record for save percentage and Jules Horning broke the career record for saves.

Along with starting the Northern Michigan program in 2017, she also started the program at Kalamazoo College in 2014. Ward had two All-GLIAC honorable mention nods at NMU and led her team to a GLIAC Tournament berth in her final season. She also served as an assistant at Adrian College for three seasons (2009-2011) with the program earning a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011.

Ward played for four seasons at Manhattan College from 2005-08, earning a letter each year, and earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 2008. She also earned a master's in sports science from the US Sports Academy in 2013.

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