BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian University has selected Caroline Pape as its new head women's lacrosse coach effective September 27.
"It is with great excitement that I welcome Caroline Pape to Moravian University as our new women's lacrosse coach," said Director of Athletics Mary Beth Spirk. "It was clear the moment I met Caroline that she has a passion for the game and an energy that is contagious. Caroline will continue to build on the success of our women's lacrosse program, and I am confident she will bring it to new heights. I look forward to watching her lead the team while also becoming a valuable member of our department."
Pape arrives in Bethlehem after two seasons as an assistant coach at FDU-Florham, where she played for four seasons.
"I am extremely honored to become the next Head Coach of Moravian Women's Lacrosse," Pape stated. "I am excited to have been given the opportunity to lead this program and to continue to build on its success to date. I am confident that my passion and energy along with my education and knowledge of the game will allow me to lead the women's lacrosse team into the future and take us to new heights."
Pape is no stranger to John Makuvek Field, scoring eight goals and adding five assists in a match on April 15, 2019, that saw the Greyhounds end up defeating Pape's Devils, 18-17. She also played on John Makuvek Field during the first year of the turf in 2017 when FDU-Florham defeated Moravian to open the season that February.
"I am eager to become a member of the Moravian community, where I felt welcomed by the administration, staff, and students the very first time I stepped on campus," commented Pape. "I am grateful to Director of Athletics Mary Beth Spirk for her confidence in me and for allowing me to step into my first head coaching role. I know that I will meet the challenge. I have had the benefit of working with wonderful coaches and mentors over the last several years, and I am excited to combine what I have learned from them to become the best leader I can be."
Pape finished her playing career in 2019 by being selected as the MAC Freedom Conference Offensive Player of the Year with 53 goals and 50 assists that season. She was also chosen to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Region First Team, the All-MAC Freedom First Team and All-ECAC First Team. Pape was just the third player in FDU-Florham history to record over 100 points or more in a season, and she was a three-time All-MAC Freedom honoree.
Pape, a 2019 graduate of FDU-Florham with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology, had 86 goals and 73 assists while adding 161 ground balls, 87 caused turnovers and 153 draw controls in her four seasons. Pape earned a Master of Art in Psychological Studies, Sport & Exercise Psychology from Seton Hall University in 2020.
"Obtaining my masters in sports psychology has provided me with a deeper understanding of what it means to be an effective coach. While I want to cultivate in my players a love of lacrosse and grow them as a team, more importantly, I want their lacrosse experience to grow them as people," finished Pape.
