HAMILTON - Colgate Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Alyssa Guido, has hired Taylor Woolard who will focus on the defensive side of the ball.

"Taylor has shown constant growth and progress at every point in her career and I'm excited for the growth she will bring to the Colgate program," Coach Guido added.

Woolard joins the Raiders after spending two years at Youngstown State University. Woolard served as associate head coach for the Penguins where she helped the team to its second-highest win total of any season in program history.

Prior to joining YSU, Woolard was the head coach at Division II Converse University for three seasons. In 2023, Woolard helped the team make its first postseason appearance since 2019 and developed four All-Conference selections including the Freshman of the Year. The team ranked within the top-25 in assists per game, caused turnovers per game, and draw controls per game. 

Before her turn around at Converse University, Woolard was the assistant coach at Earlham College before the season was canceled due to COVID-19. Woolard worked as the assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Ferrum College prior to her time at Earlham where she oversaw defensive strategy, recruiting, and operations. Woolard helped develop three student-athletes to USA South All-Conference honors and three student-athletes to the IWLCA academic honor roll.

Woolard served as head coach at Hanover High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia in 2017 where she led the team to a 9-8 overall record with 14 players earning all-conference honors and four all-region selections. Before earning the head coach position, Woolard served as the program's defensive coordinator and assistant coach during the 2014-16 seasons.

"I am incredibly excited and grateful to Coach Guido for giving me the opportunity to join her staff and work closely with the defense at Colgate," Woolard said. "This program and team have tremendous potential, and I am honored to be part of the journey and history we're building together. I look forward to contributing to a special chapter for Colgate lacrosse" 

Prior to her coaching career, Woolard played one season at Lynchburg College. Woolard earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy and criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015.