Alice Mercer is entering her third season as an assistant coach at Niagara in 2019.
One of the most accomplished defenders in the NCAA from 2013 to 2016, Mercer helped the University of Maryland Terrapins to four regular-season conference titles, three conference tournament titles, four NCAA Championship game appearances, and two NCAA Championships, in 2014 and 2015. In her college career, Mercer totaled 109 ground balls, 72 caused turnovers, and 53 draw controls. Mercer’s list of individual accolades includes two NCAA All-Tournament honors, three first-team all-conference honors, and numerous conference and All-American honors from the IWLCA.
Â
As a senior, Mercer served as the leader of the Maryland defense and was honored as one of five women’s finalists for the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, given annually to the top player in collegiate lacrosse. Mercer collected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and IWLCA National Defender of the Year honors, and she was also named an IWLCA First Team All-American and made the Big Ten and NCAA All-Tournament teams. She was also a finalist for the 2016 Honda Award.
Mercer also plays professionally for the New York Fight of the Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL). She became the team's first-ever draft pick on Aug. 23, 2017 when they took her third overall in the inaugural league draft. She competed for the Fight during the 2018 season, aiding her team to an appearance in the league semifinals. On Dec. 10, 2018, 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.
On Aug. 7, 2017, Mercer was named to the 36-player roster for Team USA ahead of the 2017 FIL Women’s World Cup in Guildford, England. Mercer trained with the team for the previous two seasons, including a trip to Europe in July for exhibitions against England, Scotland, Wales, and Germany. She rejoined the national squad in October 2018, a stint that included an appearance in the Team USA Fall Classic at US Lacrosse Headquarters.
In 2016, Mercer was a member of the Long Island Sound of the United Women’s Lacrosse League (UWLX), where she won league's inaugural championship.
Â
Mercer graduated in May 2016 from Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology. She will be pursuing a Master’s degree in school counseling at Niagara University.
Â
