Army West Point Athletics
Dowd, Simkins Added to Women’s Lacrosse Staff
September 02, 2021 | Women's Lacrosse
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Newly appointed Army West Point women's lacrosse head coach, Michelle Tumolo, has added two new faces to her staff in preparation for her first season in West Point. Katrina Dowd and Ella Simkins will join the Black Knights program as assistant coaches for the 2021-22 season.
"I am overcome with excitement to announce that Katrina and Ella have joined our team here at West Point." said Tumolo. "We have tabbed one of the greatest minds in lacrosse with Katrina Dowd. Her resume speaks for itself, but it is her wealth of knowledge and passion for the sport that sets her apart from others. Katrina is a proven winner, a five-time National Champion. She has the ability to coach players to be elite and take programs to the next level. I am grateful to again share a sideline with Katrina and to bring her back home to N.Y., where she began her legacy."
"When I think of a dynamic defender, I think of Ella Simkins. I am beyond thrilled that she will be at the helm of our defensive unit." said Tumolo. "Ella is coming off a record-setting career at Syracuse and an outstanding rookie professional season with Athletes Unlimited. Her ability to command a defense is unmatched. Ella is an incredible person who makes everyone around her better. I can't wait for her to lead our defense and to start her coaching career here at Army West Point."
Dowd and Tumolo will reunite at West Point nine seasons after they both helped Syracuse reach its first national championship in 2012. She was most recently coaching at the University of North Carolina as the Tar Heels' associate head coach. With UNC, Dowd led an offensive attack that finished 10th in the country in goals scored, guiding the Heels to a 17-4 record and a spot in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
The Yorktown Heights native ended up back in Chapel Hill after spending two seasons as the head women's lacrosse coach at Oregon, compiling an 18-17 record with the Ducks.
In her first stint with the Tar Heels, Dowd served as the offensive coordinator from 2013-16. In those four seasons, Dowd helped coach the Heels to two national championships while setting a number of school records in the process.
A 2010 Northwestern graduate, Dowd helped the Wildcats win three consecutive national championships from 2007-09. Dowd finished her career as one of the all-around players in Wildcat history and has her name printed all over the Northwestern record book. She finished her career in the top 10 in goals (4th, 209) and assists (9th, 58).
Most recently, Dowd was a member of the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited professional lacrosse league with Tumolo in the summer of 2021.
"I'm both excited and honored to work at the United States Military Academy." said Dowd. "I am grateful for Coach Tumolo and for this incredible opportunity to work for Army women's lacrosse and their incredible Cadet-athletes. Michelle's passion, vision for the program and family atmosphere are what make me excited for the future of Army Lacrosse."
Ella Simkins will begin her coaching career with Army after a stellar playing career at Syracuse. Simkins played a crucial role in the Syracuse defensive unit that finished first in the nation in scoring defense. Her strong play in the backfield helped the Orange finish the year with a 17-4 record and reach the National Title game for the first time since 2014. Simkins also found her way into the Syracuse record book in 2021, causing 35 turnovers, the most in a season in Orange women's lacrosse history.
The Centerport, N.Y. native was recognized as a IWLCA Third Team All American, Inside Lacrosse Media Third-Team All American, IWLCA All Northeast Region First-Teamer and as a All-ACC Second Teamer after her remarkable 2021 season.
Simkins also just finished her rookie season in the Athletes Unlimited professional lacrosse league with Dowd and Tumolo.
"Lacrosse has played such an integral role in my life. Throughout my career it has become a foundation that challenges me and teaches me the principles I value the most. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to coach and mentor such an amazing group of women that serve our country each and every day. Meanwhile working with both Michelle and Katrina who inspire me every day. I can't wait to begin this journey and most importantly GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY."
Tumolo and her staff will begin working with the staff in preparation for the 2022 season which is slated to begin in February of 2022.
"I am overcome with excitement to announce that Katrina and Ella have joined our team here at West Point." said Tumolo. "We have tabbed one of the greatest minds in lacrosse with Katrina Dowd. Her resume speaks for itself, but it is her wealth of knowledge and passion for the sport that sets her apart from others. Katrina is a proven winner, a five-time National Champion. She has the ability to coach players to be elite and take programs to the next level. I am grateful to again share a sideline with Katrina and to bring her back home to N.Y., where she began her legacy."
"When I think of a dynamic defender, I think of Ella Simkins. I am beyond thrilled that she will be at the helm of our defensive unit." said Tumolo. "Ella is coming off a record-setting career at Syracuse and an outstanding rookie professional season with Athletes Unlimited. Her ability to command a defense is unmatched. Ella is an incredible person who makes everyone around her better. I can't wait for her to lead our defense and to start her coaching career here at Army West Point."
Dowd and Tumolo will reunite at West Point nine seasons after they both helped Syracuse reach its first national championship in 2012. She was most recently coaching at the University of North Carolina as the Tar Heels' associate head coach. With UNC, Dowd led an offensive attack that finished 10th in the country in goals scored, guiding the Heels to a 17-4 record and a spot in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
The Yorktown Heights native ended up back in Chapel Hill after spending two seasons as the head women's lacrosse coach at Oregon, compiling an 18-17 record with the Ducks.
In her first stint with the Tar Heels, Dowd served as the offensive coordinator from 2013-16. In those four seasons, Dowd helped coach the Heels to two national championships while setting a number of school records in the process.
A 2010 Northwestern graduate, Dowd helped the Wildcats win three consecutive national championships from 2007-09. Dowd finished her career as one of the all-around players in Wildcat history and has her name printed all over the Northwestern record book. She finished her career in the top 10 in goals (4th, 209) and assists (9th, 58).
Most recently, Dowd was a member of the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited professional lacrosse league with Tumolo in the summer of 2021.
"I'm both excited and honored to work at the United States Military Academy." said Dowd. "I am grateful for Coach Tumolo and for this incredible opportunity to work for Army women's lacrosse and their incredible Cadet-athletes. Michelle's passion, vision for the program and family atmosphere are what make me excited for the future of Army Lacrosse."
Ella Simkins will begin her coaching career with Army after a stellar playing career at Syracuse. Simkins played a crucial role in the Syracuse defensive unit that finished first in the nation in scoring defense. Her strong play in the backfield helped the Orange finish the year with a 17-4 record and reach the National Title game for the first time since 2014. Simkins also found her way into the Syracuse record book in 2021, causing 35 turnovers, the most in a season in Orange women's lacrosse history.
The Centerport, N.Y. native was recognized as a IWLCA Third Team All American, Inside Lacrosse Media Third-Team All American, IWLCA All Northeast Region First-Teamer and as a All-ACC Second Teamer after her remarkable 2021 season.
Simkins also just finished her rookie season in the Athletes Unlimited professional lacrosse league with Dowd and Tumolo.
"Lacrosse has played such an integral role in my life. Throughout my career it has become a foundation that challenges me and teaches me the principles I value the most. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to coach and mentor such an amazing group of women that serve our country each and every day. Meanwhile working with both Michelle and Katrina who inspire me every day. I can't wait to begin this journey and most importantly GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY."
Tumolo and her staff will begin working with the staff in preparation for the 2022 season which is slated to begin in February of 2022.
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