Army West Point Athletics
Gilroy Promoted to Associate Head Coach
July 13, 2020 | Women's Lacrosse
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Kristen Skiera announced that Shannon Gilroy has been promoted to associate head coach on Thursday.
"Shannon has been invaluable to our young team's success over the last four years," Skiera said. "Her steadfast belief in the potential of our program has enriched our competitiveness and winning culture as a team. Shannon is a phenomenal recruiter and incredible teacher of the game. She has been integral in the development of our offense, draw team and goalies, which are position groups that have been ranked among the best in the nation over the past two years."
Gilroy first arrived at West Point in August of 2016 and joined the women's lacrosse coaching staff prior to the program's second year at the Division I level. Since then, she has been a catalyst in bringing the program to new heights.Â
"Shannon's commitment to developing leaders of character and leading by example shines through in every aspect of our program that she touches," Skiera added. "She is professional, loyal, competent, and carries herself with the highest integrity. We are so fortunate to have her leading the young women of Army women's lacrosse and could not be more thrilled to see her hard work and dedication recognized with this promotion."Â
In just four years on the staff, Gilroy has helped develop Army into not only one of the top draw control and offensive units in the Patriot League, but also in all of Division I lacrosse. Over the past three seasons, the Black Knights have finished third in the league in draw controls and inside the top-four in goals per game, while setting program records in numerous offensive categories. During that stretch, the Cadets have also ranked among the top-30 nationally in draw controls per game.
Despite a shortened 2020 season in which the Black Knights were one of just eight teams in Division I with an undefeated record, Gilroy had the Cadets on a scoring tear through the first seven games of the year. On top of carrying a 7-0 record, the Black Knights boasted the nation's top draw control unit after winning 68 percent of their draws. Army had scored in double figures in each of the seven outings while ranking 15th nationally in goals per game (15.29).
Gilroy was part of program history during the 2019 season as the Black Knights played to a program-best 14-5 record and a third-place finish in the Patriot League standings after recording a 6-3 mark in league play. Army played in its first-ever league tournament and claimed a, 12-9, win in the quarterfinal round versus Lehigh at Michie Stadium. The successful season also included a seven-game winning streak to start the year, a program-high nine home wins and countless records broken.
Gilroy worked closely with Jackie Brattan, who led the nation in free position shot percentage as a sophomore and became first cadet in program history to eclipse 100 draw controls in a single season. Juliana Dworschak and Samantha Stewart also were threats on the draw, compiling career highs of 87 and 79, respectively. The trio were one of just three in 2019 to all record over 70 draws for the season, joining the likes of Boston College, Notre Dame and Maryland. For the season, Army finished 16th nationally in draw control percentage (.574) and tied for 17th in draw controls per game (15.32).
In 2018, Gilroy also worked with one of the deepest draw control units in the nation as Amy Johnston (85), Stewart (47), Brattan (46) and Dworschak (42) were one of just eight units with four different players recording 40 or more draw controls, along with Boston College, Coastal Carolina, High Point, Maryland, Navy, Princeton and San Diego State.
While on the Black Knights' coaching staff, Gilroy has helped three cadets post 50-point seasons while Army has collected 11 All-Patriot League honors.
"Shannon has been invaluable to our young team's success over the last four years," Skiera said. "Her steadfast belief in the potential of our program has enriched our competitiveness and winning culture as a team. Shannon is a phenomenal recruiter and incredible teacher of the game. She has been integral in the development of our offense, draw team and goalies, which are position groups that have been ranked among the best in the nation over the past two years."
Gilroy first arrived at West Point in August of 2016 and joined the women's lacrosse coaching staff prior to the program's second year at the Division I level. Since then, she has been a catalyst in bringing the program to new heights.Â
"Shannon's commitment to developing leaders of character and leading by example shines through in every aspect of our program that she touches," Skiera added. "She is professional, loyal, competent, and carries herself with the highest integrity. We are so fortunate to have her leading the young women of Army women's lacrosse and could not be more thrilled to see her hard work and dedication recognized with this promotion."Â
In just four years on the staff, Gilroy has helped develop Army into not only one of the top draw control and offensive units in the Patriot League, but also in all of Division I lacrosse. Over the past three seasons, the Black Knights have finished third in the league in draw controls and inside the top-four in goals per game, while setting program records in numerous offensive categories. During that stretch, the Cadets have also ranked among the top-30 nationally in draw controls per game.
Despite a shortened 2020 season in which the Black Knights were one of just eight teams in Division I with an undefeated record, Gilroy had the Cadets on a scoring tear through the first seven games of the year. On top of carrying a 7-0 record, the Black Knights boasted the nation's top draw control unit after winning 68 percent of their draws. Army had scored in double figures in each of the seven outings while ranking 15th nationally in goals per game (15.29).
Gilroy was part of program history during the 2019 season as the Black Knights played to a program-best 14-5 record and a third-place finish in the Patriot League standings after recording a 6-3 mark in league play. Army played in its first-ever league tournament and claimed a, 12-9, win in the quarterfinal round versus Lehigh at Michie Stadium. The successful season also included a seven-game winning streak to start the year, a program-high nine home wins and countless records broken.
Gilroy worked closely with Jackie Brattan, who led the nation in free position shot percentage as a sophomore and became first cadet in program history to eclipse 100 draw controls in a single season. Juliana Dworschak and Samantha Stewart also were threats on the draw, compiling career highs of 87 and 79, respectively. The trio were one of just three in 2019 to all record over 70 draws for the season, joining the likes of Boston College, Notre Dame and Maryland. For the season, Army finished 16th nationally in draw control percentage (.574) and tied for 17th in draw controls per game (15.32).
In 2018, Gilroy also worked with one of the deepest draw control units in the nation as Amy Johnston (85), Stewart (47), Brattan (46) and Dworschak (42) were one of just eight units with four different players recording 40 or more draw controls, along with Boston College, Coastal Carolina, High Point, Maryland, Navy, Princeton and San Diego State.
While on the Black Knights' coaching staff, Gilroy has helped three cadets post 50-point seasons while Army has collected 11 All-Patriot League honors.
Players Mentioned
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