St. John Fisher University Athletics

Marykate Edmunds, a 2014 St. John Fisher graduate, returned to her alma mater in July 2025 as the fifth head women’s lacrosse coach in university history. 

Edmunds arrived 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 2025 as the winningest head coach in Empire 8 Conference history and one of the most successful in NCAA history. 

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. 

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, kicking off a dominant streak of conference titles that reached 13 in May 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.

Year By Year Results
 

What They Say About Edmunds

“I am thrilled to see Marykate Edmunds step into the role of head women’s lacrosse coach at St. John Fisher University. Mary Kate's dedication, unwavering work ethic and understanding of our core values will not only elevate our program but also serve as an inspiring example for young women to thrive both on and off the field. I have no doubt she will lead with integrity, instill the highest standards and nurture a culture of excellence within our lacrosse family. Congratulations, Marykate!” – Linda Michele, former St. John Fisher women’s lacrosse coach 

"I’m a proud Marykate Edmunds fan, and I couldn’t be more excited to see her named the new head coach of the St. John Fisher women’s lacrosse program! Marykate and I started working at Fredonia the same year, and from day one, I knew she was something special. Her dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to her teams have made her a true force in women’s lacrosse. I’m honored to call her my friend and deeply grateful for the time we spent working together. I know returning to her alma mater means the world to her, and I have no doubt she’ll rise to the occasion and continue building on the program’s incredible legacy." – Angela Pucciarelli Rice, Fredonia State co-director of athletics and senior woman administrator 

"Marykate is not only an incredible ambassador for our sport, but she's also one of the most passionate and driven coaches in college lacrosse. MK's ability to lead with integrity, connect with players and elevate a program's culture is second to none. As an alumna, I am sure she will continue to uphold the Cardinal legacy." – Bryana Glasser, SUNY Brockport head women’s lacrosse coach

“Marykate is a tremendous coach and person, her dedication to the student-athletes success is outstanding. Her work ethic and willingness to help make her invaluable in any athletic department.” – Drew Bezek, SUNY Geneseo head men's lacrosse coach

Updated 7/28/2025