PITTSFORD, N.Y. – St. John Fisher University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jennifer Granger announced on Monday that Marykate Edmunds has returned to her alma mater as the Cardinals’ head women’s lacrosse coach.
Edmunds arrives back in Pittsford after four highly successful seasons (2022-25) as SUNY Geneseo’s head coach. She played and coached at St. John Fisher under Linda Michele, who retired in May as the winningest head coach in Empire 8 Conference history and one of the most successful in NCAA history.
Edmunds follows Michele’s footsteps as the fifth head women’s lacrosse coach in Fisher history.
“I am truly humbled to be the next head women’s lacrosse coach at St. John Fisher,” Edmunds said. “This program has not only achieved extraordinary success but has also cultivated a spirit of excellence that resonates throughout our community. As a former Fisher player and assistant coach, I am committed to honoring that legacy while striving to build on the incredible foundation laid by Linda, the athletes, alumni and all those who support this program.
“I want to thank Jennifer Granger and the rest of the search committee for entrusting me with the next era of Fisher lacrosse. This opportunity would not be possible without Linda and her belief in me as a player and coach. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and friendship. It is the greatest honor to follow in her footsteps.”
Edmunds compiled a 56-20 (.737) record at SUNY Geneseo, leading the Knights to at least 12 wins in each of her four seasons in charge of the program.
The Knights hit the ground running under Edmunds in 2022 with 15 victories (second most by a team in program history), a SUNYAC title game appearance and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2014. Their 19-2 win over Saint Joseph’s (Me.) in the first round marked the program’s third-ever win in the NCAA Tournament.
Edmunds guided her team to even more success the following year, as the Knights again won 15 games, claimed the first SUNYAC title in program history with an 11-9 victory over SUNY Cortland and won an NCAA Tournament game for a second consecutive year, dominating SUNY Canton 22-4 in the first round. Edmunds and her staff earned the 2023 SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year award.
The Knights went 14-4 and reached the SUNYAC championship game in 2024. In 2025, their first season in the Empire 8 Conference, they finished 12-7 overall (8-1 E8 regular season) and played in the E8 championship game against St. John Fisher.
Under Edmunds, Geneseo had 24 All-SUNYAC selections (10 first team), 13 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Region selections (7 first team) and one IWLCA All-American (Hanna Marafioti, 2022 second team). The Knights had the 2022 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year (Maddie Brown), the 2022 SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year (Marafioti) and the 2023 and 2024 SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year (Tricia Curran).
In their inaugural season in the Empire 8, the Knights had nine all-conference selections, including three first-team honorees, the second most in the conference behind St. John Fisher, which had 10 All-E8 players.
“I am thrilled that Marykate, a Fisher alumnus, will lead the women’s lacrosse program after coach Michele’s retirement,” Granger said. “She brings a unique blend of passion, familiarity and a deep understanding of the program's history and values. Her ability to inspire and motivate players creates a special connection for our athletes, knowing they are being guided by someone who has walked in their shoes. I am excited for the future of the program.”
Before her stop at Geneseo, Edmunds spent three seasons (2019-21) as SUNY Fredonia’s head coach and two seasons (2017-18) as an assistant at St. John Fisher. The Cardinals went 32-8, won two Empire 8 championships, appeared in the NCAA Tournament twice and had 12 All-E8 selections (five first team) with Edmudns on staff.
Edmunds began her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at SUNY Poly in 2016, where she helped guide the Wildcats to their first-ever SUNYAC championship and NCAA Tournament berth. She served as the head coach of the New Hartford High School (NY) girls lacrosse team in 2015.
As a Fisher player from 2011-14, Edmunds caused 73 turnovers over 74 games and earned second-team All-Empire 8 honors as a defender in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Cardinals won the Empire 8 in each of those three seasons, beginning a streak of conference titles that reached 13 in 2025.
Edmunds earned her Bachelor of Arts in sport management at St. John Fisher and her Master of Arts in athletic administration at Concordia University-Irvine in Irvine, California.
