Kate Slade enters her sixth season as the head coach for Widener women's lacrosse in 2022.
In her five seasons so far, Slade has guided the Pride to two MAC Commonwealth semifinal appearances in 2019 and 2021, becoming only the second Widener head coach to help them reach the conference tournament's final four in program history. Slade also earned the MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year in 2019 after leading the Pride to their first playoff appearance since 2013 and their first postseason victory since 1984. In addition, she has coached 10 All-Conference athletes (four First-Team athletes and six Second-Team athletes).
In 2021, Widener beat Stevenson, 8-7, in overtime for the first time in program history and beat Lebanon Valley, 12-10, for the first time since 2010.
Prior to joining the Pride, Slade spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the nationally-ranked program at Franklin & Marshall.
At F&M, Slade helped continue the Diplomats’ tradition of excellence by helping the program reach the NCAA Division III Final Four in each of her two seasons on the sidelines. She was responsible for assisting the head coach with all aspects of the program with an emphasis on the training and development of the team’s midfielders, attackers and draw specialists. During her tenure, Slade coached seven IWLCA All-Americans, 12 IWLCA All-Region selections and 16 student-athletes who earned Centennial Conference postseason recognition. She also mentored Paige Moriarty, who was named the 2016 IWLCA Division III Attacker of the Year.
Prior to her time at F&M, Slade served as an assistant coach at the University of Scranton for three seasons following four years as a standout player with the Royals. She served as the recruiting coordinator and also spent time as the interim head coach during a transition period. Scranton also advanced to the semifinal round of the Landmark Conference Tournament in each of her three seasons on the sidelines.
Slade was a successful student-athlete herself on the collegiate level as a four-year letterwinner at Scranton between 2008-11. She was an All-Landmark Conference selection every year, which included making the first team three times, and earned a place on the Landmark Conference All-Academic Team as a senior. Furthermore, she holds the school record for caused turnovers (123) while also contributing 100 points on 84 goals and 16 assists. She also ranks fourth in the program annals in ground balls (195) and sixth in draw controls (130).
Slade, who received a merit award for academic excellence and athletic achievement, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Scranton in 2011.
| Kate Slade's record |
|
| 2017 |
4-12 |
| 2018 |
5-12 |
| 2019 |
8-10 |
| 2020 |
3-2 |
| 2021 |
7-6 |
| 2022 |
5-0 |
| TOTAL (Six Seasons) |
32-42 |
