WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross and head women's ice hockey coach Katie Lachapelle have agreed to a new multi-year contract extension, Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Kit Hughes announced on Friday, Oct. 13. The new contract will keep Lachapelle as the head coach of Crusader women's ice hockey through the 2026-27 season.
"Coach Lachapelle has proven herself as a leader who is fully committed to the development and success of the student-athletes under her guidance," Hughes said. "She is an educator, tireless recruiter and skill developer, who has also built quality relationships within her team and throughout our community. I have total confidence in Katie's ability to continue the growth of our program, and am eager to support her as she leads Crusader women's ice hockey forward into an incredibly bright future."
Lachapelle is in her fifth season as head coach of the Crusaders, and seventh on the Holy Cross staff, in 2023-24.
During the 2022-23 season, Lachapelle led the Crusaders to the most Hockey East wins in program history; inside those conference wins, Holy Cross defeated two ranked opponents in No. 14 Vermont and No. 15 Connecticut. To begin 2023, Holy Cross took home its first Frozen Fenway victory, defeating Boston University by a score of 3-2, eventually defeating the Terriers twice during the regular season and tallying two points toward the Turnpike Trophy.
In addition to the program's growth on the ice, Lachapelle's team prioritizes service in the community, and the Crusaders are often recognized for their dedication, with the women's ice hockey program tallying more community service hours than any other team in 2022-23. Carly Beniek '23 was awarded the Presidential Service Award for her leadership and service to the College community; Beniek later became the program's first-ever recipient of the Sarah Devens Award, a joint award between the ECAC and Hockey East presented to a player who demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice.
"I am thankful to President Vincent Rougeau, Kit Hughes and our entire administration for their faith in me and dedication to bettering our hockey program," Lachapelle said. "I am also grateful for our coaches, student-athletes and support staff who dedicate so much to our program. It's an honor to continue leading this team, and I'm eager to build on the progress that our program has made."
Throughout her collegiate coaching career, Lachapelle has coached numerous league All-Stars, All-Americans, Patty Kazmaier finalists, national team members, and Olympians. In addition to her time at the collegiate level, Lachapelle has extensive experience coaching at the national team level. Most recently, she led the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team to a bronze medal in January 2023 and a silver medal in 2022. She was named the head coach of the team in 2021; she had previously been named the team's head coach on May 6, 2020, but the 2021 IIHF Women's World U-18 Championship was canceled due to COVID-19. She additionally worked as an Olympic team camp coach and evaluator at the 2022 U.S. Olympics team tryout camp from June 1 to 7, 2021.
Holy Cross continues its season with a non-conference home-and-home series against Brown on Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. on Friday in Providence before the Crusaders host their home opener at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Hart Center Rink at the Luth Athletic Complex.
ABOUT HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS
Holy Cross boasts 27 NCAA Division I teams as members of the Patriot League, Atlantic Hockey Association and the Women's Hockey East Association. Holy Cross' athletic teams are tied for sixth in the nation with an overall graduation rate of 98 percent, the 16th consecutive year at 97 percent or higher.
ABOUT HOLY CROSS
The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Massachusetts — the second-largest city in New England — is among the nation's leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, and is one of only 85 colleges in America that meets 100% of students' demonstrated financial need. Holy Cross has made a positive impact in society since its founding in 1843 by graduating students who distinguish themselves as thoughtful leaders in business, professional and civic life.
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's ice hockey team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossWHockey | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrosswhockey | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Women's Ice Hockey | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross
