Nicole (Nikki) Prestiano begins her eighth season with Lafayette in 2026-27, serving as an associate head coach for a second slate. She previously held the title of assistant coach for six years before her promotion in 2025-26.
The Leopards finalized the 2026 campaign with a 5-10 (1-8 PL) record, beginning the year with an improved 4-1 start in non-conference action and a 3-0 home field performance. The squad boasted a 3.61 team grade-point average through the fall semester with five players claiming a 4.0. Prestiano helped orchestrate the fourth-annual National Girls & Women in Sports clinic on Jan. 31, providing youth with the exposure to many different activities and sports opportunities. Midfielder Katie Marrs '26 passed the 200 career draw controls milestone on Feb. 25 in the 16-7 victory over La Salle. Women's lacrosse capitalized on the Rivalry energy to conclude the season with an 11-8 win at Lehigh on April 22. Overall, the program faced three nationally-ranked opponents: #16 Army, #15 Loyola Maryland and #6 Navy. For postseason accolades, Isabelle Pohmer '28 was named to the 15-member Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Lafayette kicked off the 2025 season with the program’s best start through four games (3-1) since 2020. The Maroon and White knocked off four non-conference opponents before earning a striking 10-8 comeback victory at American for the initial Patriot League victory of the year on March 26. Two Leopards surpassed individual milestones throughout the remainder of league play: Sara Rogers (100 career points, 27
th in program history) and Molly Terraciano (100 single-season saves, 16
th in program history). In the postseason, senior midfielder Sophia Spallone netted her first Academic All-Patriot League laurel on top of an All-Patriot League Second Team selection. Following the spring semester, Prestiano was promoted to Associate Head Coach on
May 14.
The Leopards finished with a 5-11 (2-7 PL) record for the 2023-24 academic year. The Maroon and White knocked off Wagner and Central Connecticut State to begin the season, before taking down Eastern Michigan at home. The Leopards rounded out the spring with two double-overtime victories on the road at Boston and Lehigh. Lafayette was praised for its excellence in the classroom as it was named an IWLCA Academic Honor Squad with nine individual members named to the Division I Honor Roll with a 3.5+ grade point average. To qualify for this prestigious honor, the team must have posted a 3.2 or higher team GPA for the academic year. The Maroon and White garnered a 3.58 overall, marking the eighth consecutive award since 2016. Senior goalkeeper Lexie Coldiron earned her first Academic All-Patriot League laurel on top of her second consecutive All-Patriot League Second Team selection. The Leopards also paced the conference's Winter-Spring Academic Honor Roll, adding 33 athletes to the listing.
Lafayette defeated Canisius and conference foe Boston U. on its home turf in 2022-23. Junior Lexie Coldiron was named All-Patriot League Second Team prior to senior Katie Chiasson earning her second Academic All-PL honor. Head coach Katie McConnell and Prestiano welcomed a two-time Leopard captain, Sarah Bennett '23, to their coaching staff following the season in late June.
In 2021-22, the young Leopard squad finished at 2-13 overall (1-8 PL), earning victories over La Salle and conference foe Boston U. Prestiano worked with a pair of goalkeepers in over 900 minutes of play during the season, marking 150 total saves, 99 of which came during conference play. Lafayette was honored for excellence in the classroom as the team was named an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor Squad with seven individual members named to the Division I Honor Roll following the season on July 27, 2022.
Prestiano comes to College Hill after spending four years between the pipes for Manhattan under Katie McConnell's leadership. During her playing career as a goalie, she was named a four-time Defensive Player of the Week and served as a team captain in her final season.
Prestiano earned her master's in organization leadership from Manhattan in May 2021.Â
Updated 6/26
