Not many coaches can say that they led their team to their first CAA championship in program history in their first season as head coach. Katie O’Donnell can.

In 2022, after taking over as interim head coach of Drexel University’s women’s lacrosse program, O’Donnell led the team to their first CAA title and a subsequent return to the NCAA tournament. In the next three years, she would go on to coach the team to three more CAA championship finals and two more NCAA tournament appearances.

However, this previous season was a departure from that usual success. The team finished its season with a 5-11 record, making it their first losing season in seven years, and the first losing season of O’Donnell’s five-year head coaching tenure.

“Looking back on it, we were a couple goals short of being .500. We just fell short in one too many contests, and it wasn't for lack of effort or commitment, but I think it was something that was bound to happen at some point,” O’Donnell said. Out of the 11 games the team lost, five of them were lost by one or two goals. Consequently, they finished seventh place in conference.

“It doesn't feel good. I don't have a pretty answer for that. But I also think you need seasons like this and reminders of why you do what you do, why you work so hard, and to help you cherish [it] when it goes really, really well. It was disappointing, but you have to take stuff out of it to learn from it and get better.”

For O’Donnell, the disappointing season was a reminder that success is not always guaranteed. “I think every program goes through some pain at some point. I graduated a lot of experience the year before, and some of our defense had a lot of learning to do,” she said. “The kids are here every day, and they still show that commitment; just sometimes, it doesn't show in the win column.”

Last season stands in contrast to O’Donnell’s previous accomplishments. In addition to the NCAA tournament appearances, O’Donnell has coached two All-Americans: Corinne Bednarik ‘24, Drexel’s all-time leader in points and CAA Attacker of the Year in 2024, and Jenika Cuocco ‘25, who won CAA Goalie of the Year a historic three years in a row. Cuocco currently plays professionally with the Maryland Charm in the inaugural Professional Women’s Lacrosse League.

Women’s lacrosse’s four straight NCAA tournament appearances from 2021 to 2024 make them one of the most successful sports at Drexel, but O’Donnell is quick to give credit to her players. “It was the kids. They did it; I just happened to be along for the ride. We were so lucky that we had such a driven group that was really goal-oriented and knew what they wanted to do and accomplish for that year. And they were locked in and committed to each other and their goals, and that was just so awesome to be a part of it.”

Now, O’Donnell hopes to build a team that can return to the success of the previous years. For next season, the goals are clear: have a record above .500 and return to the CAA championship weekend.

One of the keys to reaching those goals will be in recruiting. The Philadelphia region has numerous premier lacrosse programs such as the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, or Temple University, all of which were ranked in the top 50 nationally last season. For an area that is saturated with great lacrosse colleges, how does Drexel stand out?

“Obviously, this past year was a little bit of an off year for us, but we play and compete for a conference championship every year. Not everyone gets to do that. [In] the last five years, we've made it to the NCAA tournament. Not all teams in the area have been able to do that, whether they win their conference or not, so I think that's unique about us. Penn is the only local school that has gone to the NCAA tournament in the last five years. So we really try to capitalize there.”

In an ever-competitive NIL recruiting landscape, O’Donnell, like many other Drexel coaches, still sees the value of mid-major programs. "[NIL] can make it hard to retain some of your best athletes. We have been really successful in retaining them because of what we do as a program, but I think our job as a mid-major is to continue to provide a world-class education and experience for our athletes in hopes that they still see the value of a Drexel education.”

For O’Donnell, that experience begins with recruiting well-rounded athletes. “I think [we] have really high-quality players, and more importantly, really high-quality people. That's what we look for the most in recruiting. And we've been able to recruit and retain them because I think Drexel is a really special place. I always say, our players are the best part of Drexel lacrosse, and I think when we bring recruits on campus, they learn that very quickly. And once they're here, they don't really leave because it's such a great place to get a great education.”

That emphasis on her players’ entire collegiate experience is why O’Donnell believes her team is successful, no matter the score on the field. “It's a team-first mentality, and just being proud of the product that you put out there. And that's not just lacrosse; that’s life. Compete in everything you do, whether you have a lacrosse stick in your hand or you’re in the classroom; you should be putting your best foot forward. And I think that culture alone has made us so successful, not only on the field, but off the field.”