DOBBS FERRY, NY -  Francesca DeLorenzo has been appointed Mercy College's first head women's lacrosse coach, Director of Athletics Pat Kennedy announced on Tuesday.  She will step into her new role effective immediately.

"Francesca is the complete package. She brings youth, enthusiasm and energy coupled with experience in the world of women's lacrosse," said Kennedy. "Her skill with public relations and communications will be a great asset in beginning a new program. Francesca's notoriety in the Hudson Valley and New Jersey will serve Mercy well."

"It is both an honor and a privilege to be awarded with this opportunity at Mercy College," said DeLorenzo. "I am very excited to be a part of building this program from the ground up, and I cannot wait to start recruiting and put this team together. Mercy College has so much to offer, and I am confident that will be a very positive factor in creating a successful and competitive women's lacrosse program.  I am looking forward to our first season and to building the foundation for a program that will continue to move forward in the years to come."

DeLorenzo will turn her attention to recruiting and preparing that foundation in 2008-09.  The Mavericks' inaugural year of competition will be 2009-10 in the East Coast Conference (ECC), one of the strongest in NCAA Division II with four of the last eight national champions coming out of the league.

A native of nearby Nyack, NY, DeLorenzo was a volunteer assistant coach at fellow ECC member St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2006. She also served as head coach of Hot Shots Youth Lacrosse in 2006 and 2007 before spending 2008 as an assistant coach with the Tri-State Lacrosse winter league.

DeLorenzo has held the position of Director of Operations for Corporate Planning and Sponsorships with the New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the world's premier outdoor lacrosse league, since May of 2008.  In this role she is responsible for developing sponsor relationships, game day operations, promotions and season ticket sales. She has also held a career in real estate since 2005.

DeLorenzo was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Division I Marist College from 2002-05 as a midfielder. She was a three-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Academic selection, two-time Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor Roll member and finished her career ranked eighth at Marist on the career games played list with 59.  During her career the Red Foxes made four MAAC Tournament appearances, earning a spot in the championship game in 2003.  As a senior in 2005, she ranked fourth on the team in goals and fifth in draw controls.

A Dean's List student at Marist, DeLorenzo earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2005 with a dual emphasis in marketing and finance along with a minor in Spanish language.  She will be working towards her master's in business administration. Prospective student-athletes interested in women's lacrosse at Mercy can contact coach DeLorenzo at 914-674-7220 or athletics@mercy.edu.

-Provided by Mercy Sports Information Department.