PHILADELPHIA – The Niagara University women's lacrosse coaching staff is set to speak at the 2019 US Lacrosse National Convention (LaxCon) on Saturday, Jan. 12. Head coach
Wendy Stone and assistants
Amy Martin and
Alice Mercer will be doing a presentation on "Odd Man Out" at 1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
"Our game is growing so much and LaxCon is an incredible gathering of lacrosse coaches from across the country and around the world," said Stone. "For us lacrosse nerds, it's three amazing days of talking lacrosse and learning from the best coaches in our game. It's an honor to present at this event once again this year. We look forward to sharing tips, concepts, and drills that we employ daily and have used to build our program here at Niagara."
Saturday will mark the fifth time Stone will be speaking at the conference, while both Martin and Mercer will be presenting for the first time. Other presenters during the three-day event include representatives of US Lacrosse and Major League Lacrosse, coaches from the National Lacrosse League, NCAA, academy and youth organizations, and players from Team USA, Premier Lacrosse League and Wheelchair Lacrosse USA.
Stone, who is entering her seventh season at the helm of the program, led the team to its third consecutive winning conference record (5-3) in 2018, a feat which had never been accomplished at Niagara to that point. The Purple Eagles were part of a five-way tie for first place entering the final day of the 2018 regular season, ensuring a return to the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Stone also has more postseason appearances (four) than all other head coaches combined (three). Prior to her arrival, the Purple Eagles hadn't qualified for the MAAC tournament since 2003.
Martin, a four-year starter in net at Holy Cross from 2008-11, was a six-time Patriot League Goalie of the Week honoree. She was named the 2010 Patriot League Goalie of the Year and landed on the 2010 All-Patriot League First Team and All-Patriot League Tournament Team. She then went on to join the staffs of Wagner College and Kennesaw State University before coming to Niagara ahead of the 2017 season.
Mercer is a 2016 graduate from the University of Maryland. As a defender for the Terrapins, Mercer won three conference tournament titles, four NCAA Championship game appearances, and two NCAA Championships. She has continued her playing career as a member of Team USA and the New York Fight of the Women's Professional Lacrosse League. Last month, Mercer was recognized by the WPLL as one of 17 All-Star Team selections. She was one of just six to make the squad unanimously.
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