BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head women's soccer coach Eric Lambinusannounced on Wednesday the addition of Mary Ellen Carron as graduate assistant coach. The recent Lehigh women's lacrosse graduate played soccer in high school, and has served as a leader of her collegiate lacrosse program. Carron served as the Mountain Hawks' lone captain last season, helping Lehigh to its sixth straight Patriot League Tournament berth.
 
"We have gotten to know Mary over the last few years as a student-athlete on our women's lacrosse program and can't wait to have her join our women's soccer program as our graduate assistant coach," said Lambinus. "It is great when Lehigh graduates make the transition to the coaching staff because they understand the demands of the institution and immediately relate to the student-athletes. Mary will also be able to provide a unique perspective coming from our lacrosse program, and hopefully bring some of their successful practices into our program. We also love that Mary comes from a coaching family and has a serious interest in pursuing the profession long-term."
 
On the field, Carron played in 71 games in her collegiate career, starting 68 while posting 28 goals and nine assists. A difference maker at both ends of the field, she added 59 groundballs, 47 caused turnovers and 15 draw controls. After playing defense as a freshman and sophomore, she emerged with 19 points as a junior and 18 as a senior. Carron won the Mountain Hawks' team's Coaches Award following her junior campaign.
 
Along with her on-field prowess, Carron served as a strong leader. Along with being a senior captain, she was co-president of T.I.D.E. (Tackling Inclusion, Diversity and Equity) – planning and executing educational events to promote equity around campus, with a concentration in the athletics department. Carron also took part in Leadership Legacies training, building leadership strategies with other student-athlete representatives and mentoring underclassmen transitioning from high school to college athletics.
 
"I am really excited to make the transition from a student-athlete to graduate assistant for the women's soccer team," said Carron. "My experience here as a student-athlete was wonderful and helped me to realize that I am interested in coaching professionally after obtaining my master's degree. Coach Lambinus and Coach Cal (Calabrese) have been kind enough to give me the opportunity to explore this interest by learning a new game at the collegiate level, while also teaching me what it takes to succeed as a Division I coach."
 
Carron does have coaching experience, highlighted by time with Long Island Empire Lacrosse. She has served as assistant coach, writing and executing individualized training programs for multiple prospective college lacrosse players. Meanwhile, Carron impressed in the classroom as well; she was a consistent member of the Dean's List and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, finishing with a 3.45 cumulative GPA as a Psychology major and Health, Medicine and Society minor.
 
"I believe making the transition into this coaching role will also allow me to more comprehensively understand different team dynamics and the overall student-athlete experience at Lehigh," said Carron. "Looking in from the outside these past few years, I have seen a program that embodies what Lehigh Athletics stands for, which I am beyond honored to be a part of this year."
 
The season opener is set for Friday, Aug. 23 vs. Delaware at 8 p.m. The Mountain Hawks remain home two days later, welcoming Monmouth on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
 
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