Women's Lacrosse

O'Brien Joins Canisius Women's Lacrosse Staff

Head women's lacrosse coach Russell Allen announced the hiring of former Buffalo State standout Ashley O'Brien as an assistant coach.
 
"We are incredibly excited to welcome coach O'Brien to the family," Allen said. "Coach O'Brien rounds out our coaching staff so well with her experience training goalies. The energy and knowledge she brings to our team will pay dividends."
 
The former head coach of Buffalo State women's lacrosse program, O'Brien coached 2021 SUNYAC All-Defensive Second Team honoree Anastacia Wells and three-time SUNYAC All Midfield Second Team honoree Jackie Dufresne. As for the team, she led the Bengals to the postseason twice during the 2018 and 2019 seasons and racked up 15 wins while at the helm of the program.
 
O'Brien also worked as an assistant coach at Medaille University for two seasons along with coaching at the club level with Honeoye Falls-Lima Lacrosse Club and the Buffalo Wings Lacrosse Club. At Medaille, her 2013 team made it to the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship against Morrisville State before falling in the final.
 
A four-year letterwinner at Buffalo State, O'Brien led the Bengals to the playoffs from 2008-11. The goalie earned 2009 and 2011 All-SUNYAC First Team honors and was the 2008 Buffalo State Female Athlete of the Year. During the 2009 season, she led the Bengals to the SUNYAC Championship against SUNY Cortland after going 16-2 in the regular season.
 
"I am so excited to be joining this athletic department and coaching staff," O'Brien said. "This team has all of the pieces necessary to win a MAAC championship. We are hungry, focused and gritty and I cannot wait to contribute."
 
A native of Penfield, N.Y., O'Brien earned her bachelor's degree in biological psychology from Buffalo State in 2011 and her master's in biology in 2020, also from Buffalo State.