St. Mary’s College of Maryland has appointed Madison Heck as head coach of its women’s lacrosse team, with the Forked River, New Jersey, native set to begin duties August 20 as the program’s 15th leader.
Director of Athletics and Recreation Crystal Gibson made the announcement August 18 in St. Mary’s City.
“We are thrilled to welcome Madison Heck as the new head coach of our women’s lacrosse program. Madison’s energy, vision, and commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field make her the perfect fit to guide St. Mary’s College of Maryland lacrosse into its next chapter. We are excited to see the impact she will have on our program and our community,” Gibson expressed.
Heck arrives after two seasons leading the women’s lacrosse team at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, an NCAA Division III program in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. There, she compiled a 14-21 record, including a notable improvement from 5-12 in her first year to 9-9 in 2025. Under her guidance, midfielder Reese Morgenthaler earned Second Team All-ODAC honors in 2025, marking the first such recognition for a Virginia Wesleyan player since 2019.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named the head women’s lacrosse coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. I want to sincerely thank the search committee, Crystal Gibson, and the entire Seahawk community for this opportunity,” Heck stated.
She added, “It’s a privilege to join a program with such a proud tradition and a solid foundation. I’m looking forward to working with this talented group of student-athletes and building something special together as we take the next steps forward.”
Heck replaces Brittney Morris, who stepped down in June 2025 after four seasons directing the St. Mary’s College women’s lacrosse team. Morris oversaw a period of sustained success, including four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament, with advances to the second round in 2022 and 2024. The Seahawks also claimed four straight United East Conference regular-season titles and four league tournament championships, maintaining a perfect 19-0 record in conference play during that span.
The St. Mary’s College women’s lacrosse program, part of the Seahawks’ athletic offerings, competes in the United East Conference within NCAA Division III. The team posted a 10-8 overall record in 2025, finishing 4-0 in conference action before falling in the NCAA tournament’s first round. Over its history, the program has faced regional opponents like York College of Pennsylvania and Roanoke College, often in competitive matchups that highlight its standing in mid-Atlantic lacrosse circles. The team’s home games occur at the Jamie L. Roberts Stadium in St. Mary’s City, a venue that supports multiple sports and draws local fans from the surrounding tri-county area.
Heck brings prior coaching experience from Barnegat High School in New Jersey and club programs Legacy Lacrosse and 3-Point Lacrosse. Her playing career spanned five years as a scholarship athlete at NCAA Division II institutions Georgian Court University and East Stroudsburg University. At Georgian Court, she secured First Team All-Region honors and three First Team All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference selections, contributing to three conference tournament championships. Transferring to East Stroudsburg, she helped the Warriors reach the NCAA Division II championship game as runner-up and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Georgian Court, awarded in 2021, and a Master of Science in management and leadership with a focus on organizational behavior from East Stroudsburg, completed in December 2022.
At Virginia Wesleyan, Heck emphasized recruitment and development, fostering a balanced approach that saw the Marlins achieve a .500 record in conference play during her second season. Players and staff there noted her role in building team cohesion and pushing for peak performance.
The United East Conference, where St. Mary’s College women’s lacrosse competes, includes institutions across the mid-Atlantic, promoting competitive balance in Division III. Recent conference realignments have strengthened scheduling, allowing teams like the Seahawks to face diverse opponents while maintaining rivalries with schools such as Christopher Newport University and Salisbury University.
Heck’s arrival aligns with broader trends in women’s lacrosse coaching, where young leaders with recent playing experience bring fresh strategies. In 2025, she participated in the WeCOACH NCAA Women Coaches Academy, a professional development program aimed at advancing female coaches in collegiate athletics. This involvement underscores her commitment to growth, which could translate to innovations in training and game planning for the St. Mary’s College women’s lacrosse squad.
As the program transitions, focus remains on sustaining its tournament streak and conference dominance. The 2026 season schedule, typically released in winter, will feature home and away contests, with preseason preparations beginning under Heck’s direction. Southern Maryland residents interested in supporting the team can attend games at no cost for most regular-season events, fostering local ties to collegiate sports.
