APPLETON, Wis. -- Melissa Cartagena is the new leader of the Lawrence University women's lacrosse program, Director of Athletics Jason Imperati announced today.
    Cartagena comes to Lawrence from Edgewood University where she was serving an assistant coach in the women's lacrosse program.
    "Melissa brings a unique blend of competitive experience, academic excellence and student-centered leadership that aligns perfectly with our vision for women's lacrosse at Lawrence," Imperati said. "Her energy, drive and commitment to holistic development will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes both on and off the field. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Viking family and confident in the impact she'll make from day one."
    A native of Wayne, New Jersey, Cartagena spent the last two seasons coaching at Edgewood. During Cartagena's time at Edgewood, the Eagles posted an 18-17 record with an impressive 11-4 mark in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. The Eagles finished second in the league in 2024 and took third in the regular season in 2025 before making a run to the 2025 NACC Tournament championship game.
    "When I got the call from Lawrence, I was on my way home to New Jersey," Cartagena said. "I was literally driving along the highway. I didn't expect it, but I couldn't have been happier. Huge smile on my face. The chance to lead my own program is very exciting."   
    A 2022 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Cartagena earned a bachelor's degree in economics while also competing in lacrosse and field hockey.  
    A defensive midfielder for Muhlenberg lacrosse, Cartagena was named to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll in both 2021 and 2022 and was selected for the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll in 2021. A field hockey goalie at Muhlenberg, Cartagena was chosen for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic Squad in 2020.
    Cartagena, who earned a Master of Business Administration from Edgewood in 2024, is eagerly anticipating building connections with her team at Lawrence.  
    "My first thought goes to the team culture," Cartagena said. "My goal is to have a good team culture that makes everyone feel welcome but is also very competitive. I'm excited to see what the team culture is now and implement my own twist on that."
    With a squad of 12 returning players, led by All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference player Savannah Larsen, Cartagena knows recruiting will be paramount. She was part of building Edgewood into a top program in the NACC despite the fact lacrosse was a sport that didn't make its debut there until 2021.
    "The biggest challenge will be the recruiting piece, but I'm pretty confident with the experience I gained at Edgewood we can build a competitive program at Lawrence," Cartagena said. 
    Lawrence recently completed its first season of women's lacrosse with the Vikings competing in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.