Story Courtesy of Youngstown State Athletic Communications

Youngstown State has named Liza Oakley, an energetic and passionate young coach, to lead the Penguins women's lacrosse program. Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo announced Oakley's hiring on Wednesday.

A native of West Hartford, Conn., Oakley spent the past three seasons as the top assistant at Bucknell. Oakley, formerly a standout defender at Mount St. Mary's, had previous coaching stops at Butler, Fresno State and Lynchburg (Va.).

"Liza brings a variety of experiences to our program that we feel will help YSU women's lacrosse become a perennial contender in the Mid-American Conference," Strollo said. "We are confident that her work ethic and enthusiasm for the game will move this program in the direction that we all desire.

"Most importantly, she will provide a great opportunity for our current and future student-athletes to develop their lacrosse skills and have an enjoyable experience off the field."

At Bucknell, Oakley served as the team's recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator, among other duties during her three seasons for Head Coach Jackie Dando.

Oakley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Penguins women's lacrosse program.

"I am thrilled and honored to be the next head coach at Youngstown State University," Oakley said. "I want to thank the entire administration at YSU for their trust in me and allowing me this amazing opportunity. Our student-athletes will have a well-rounded, positive experience and I'm very excited to get to work with the strong young women in our program!"

Oakley spent the 2022 season as an assistant coach at Butler, where she served as the defensive coordinator and helped mentor two second-team All-Big East honorees.
 
She also coached the defense and goalies at Fresno State during the 2021 season, and she was part of a Bulldogs squad that advanced to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship game for the first time, despite a roster of only 18 student-athletes. Fresno State led the MPSF in caused turnovers and ground balls, and the Bulldogs' first-year starting goalie was ranked fourth nationally in saves per game at season's end.
 
Oakley coached the MPSF Rookie of the Year, four All-MPSF honorees, and four MPSF All-Tournament Team honorees during her season in Fresno.
 
Oakley's coaching career began in June of 2018 as a graduate assistant at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. She served as the offensive and draw team coordinator during the 2018-19 season and then oversaw the defense and draw unit in 2019-20. Oakley coached two All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference selections in each of her two seasons.
 
At Lynchburg, Oakley also coordinated the team's travel, fundraising, and academic programs, all while earning her MBA.
 
Oakley was a four-year letterwinner as a defender and a three-time Northeast Conference All-Academic selection at Mount St. Mary's. As a senior in 2018, she helped her team rank third in Division I in scoring defense with the Mountaineers
 
Oakley also has coaching experience with Valley Select Lacrosse and Blue Ridge Lacrosse Club in Virginia, and with Dodgers Lacrosse in Hartford, Conn.