FAYETTE, Iowa -- Erin Doherty will be the first head women's lacrosse coach at Upper Iowa University. David Miller, UIU's Director of Athletics, announced the hiring of the newest Peacock leader on Friday. Doherty comes to Upper Iowa and Fayette from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut.
 
"After a thorough review of all our candidates, I am excited about Coach Doherty and confident in her ability to lead our newest program," said Miller. "We are looking forward to hear arrival on campus and can't wait to introduce women's lacrosse to Peacock fans."
 
Doherty has been a women's lacrosse coach at the collegiate level for the last six seasons including two years as a head coach at the NCAA Division III level. Most recently, she completed her first season as the head coach at Saint Joseph. Prior to leading the Blue Jays in 2017, Doherty was the head women's lacrosse coach at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts in 2016.
 
"I am looking forward to introducing lacrosse to Upper Iowa and building a competitive team," said Doherty. "Everyone has been so amazing at UIU and I feel incredibly honored to become a Peacock. I would like to thank Danielle Cushion, David Miller, and everyone else who has been so welcoming to me throughout the interview process. It is exciting to start a new NCAA Division II women's lacrosse program, especially where lacrosse is not well known. NCAA DII women's lacrosse is a growing sport compared to other NCAA Division I and III and I am eager to continue to grow the sport at our level. My vision of this team is one that is family-orientated, but will hold each other accountable on and off the field. I am looking for recruits who are passionate about the game, committed to do well in the classroom, and fueled by the drive and hunger for winning. I expect my players to support each other and respectfully challenge each other. This team will be a source of pride for Peacock nation and will set a positive legacy for the program for years to come."
 
UIU's first head women's lacrosse coach spent four years as an assistant coach as well. Doherty was the assistant at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons working with the goalies. The Golden Bears claimed the Commonwealth Coast Conference regular season championship in each of the three years and made it to the NCAA Division III Championship second round in 2015. Doherty got her start in coaching during the 2012 season when she assisted at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, or IWLCA, ranked the Hawks as high as No. 13 nationally during the season.
 
Doherty stated, "So many wonderful people have believed in and mentored me. I would personally like to thank my former coaches and supervisors Aimee Klepacki and Michael Blanchard, as well as my former assistant coach Tatum Fahs and all the wonderful friends and family that have been so supportive over the years."
 
Doherty graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration from Western New England University in 2011 and 2015, respectively.