WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil has announced that Eileen Ghent has been selected to lead the women’s lacrosse program.
Ghent has been an assistant coach with the Hawks during the last four seasons and was elevated to Associate Head Coach prior to the 2014 season. During that time on Coach Denise Wescott’s staff she helped lead Monmouth to a 26-8 conference record and back to back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2014.
“We are excited that Eileen Ghent will lead our women’s lacrosse program,” said McNeil. “She has been an important part of Coach Wescott’s staff over the last four seasons, as they captured a pair of conference titles before transitioning to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. “She is an up and coming coach and I am confident that she will continue to lead this program in the right direction.”
For the past four seasons Ghent has been charged with guiding the Monmouth defense, while serving as the recruiting coordinator and the directing the program’s camps and clinics. During her time in West Long Branch, three Hawks have earned first team all-conference honors. As a senior in 2013, captain Gianna D’Urso was named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-Region honors and was selected to play in the IWLCA North-South All-Star Game.
“I am honored and excited to be the next head coach of the Monmouth University Women’s Lacrosse Team. I want to thank Dr. McNeil, President Brown and the entire Search Committee for believing in me and for putting their trust in me to lead this program,” said Ghent. “While at Monmouth, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to learn from one of the best coaches in our game, Denise Wescott. As a mentor, Denise made it possible for me to build a solid foundation for my coaching career. I have been fortunate to have had many great coaches impact me throughout my life.”
Last season, Ghent’s fourth with the program, Monmouth finished with a 12-6 record despite facing its hardest overall schedule in program history. The Hawk defense, mentored by Ghent, finished second in scoring defense and first in caused turnovers as Monmouth went 6-2 in conference play and earned the third seed in the MAAC Tournament.
“Monmouth University is a remarkable institution and I am privileged to be able to lead and mentor such an extraordinary group of young women to further their academic, athletic and career pursuits,” said Ghent. “I am excited to build on our strong relationships with our extended community of parents, fans and alumnae, while welcoming new members into our Hawk community. While keeping our goal of winning the MAAC championship in mind, we look forward to bringing Monmouth University and our lacrosse program into the national spotlight.”
In 2015, Monmouth defender Kristina Vangeli earned Third Team All-America honors from Mid-Major Lacrosse.com after a breakout season which earned her First Team All-MAAC honors. Since Ghent arrived in West Long Branch four seasons ago, MU’s exposure has seen significant growth through camps and clinics attendance, which has doubled during that time. She was instrumental in starting the elite night camp and increased the number of overall clinics as well.
She made an immediate impact during her first season, guiding a defensive unit comprised entirely of underclassmen to a record breaking performance in the 2012 Northeast Conference Tournament. En route to winning its fourth overall NEC Title, the Hawks allowed a historic low of seven goals in two games, including three in the championship match against Mount Saint Mary's.
Ghent came to Monmouth from nearby Rutgers University where she served as a player-assistant coach as a junior and senior. The Silver Spring, MD native had her playing career at Rutgers cut short due to a number of knee injuries she suffered as a freshman and sophomore. After her second year in Piscataway she decided to become a player-assistant coach on Coach Laura Brand-Sias' team, preparing practices and helping organize and plan camps and clinics. She also helped Brand-Sias on the attacking end before being put in charge of the goal keepers as a senior. With Ghent heading up the netminders, RU's goalies finished second in the Big East in goals against average and third in the league in save percentage. She also was a club coach for Ultimate Goal in New Jersey and has coached for the Rebels Lacrosse Club.
Ghent takes over for Wescott, who announced her departure to take a different position in July after six seasons in West Long Branch.
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