Yale

Brigid Strain joined the Yale coaching staff in the Fall of 2008after a stellar playing career at James Madison. Strain, who made apair of NCAA Elite Eight appearances and won a pair of CAA regularseason and tournament championships with James Madison in 2004 and2006, works with the Bulldogs defense. She was second team All-CAAat that position in 2008, also earning a spot on the VirginiaSports Information Directors' Association All-State Lacrosse Team.Strain also took part in the IWLCA North/South Senior All-StarGame.

"Brigid immediately impressed me in the interview process withthe attribute that this program will exemplify, and that is'Commitment to Excellence'," said Anne Phillips, Yale's Joel E.Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse. "Coach Strainhas a tremendous work ethic and an impressive ability to analyzeand teach the game."

Strain led the Dukes in ground balls in 2007 with 28. She had 31ground balls and 31 draw controls in 2008, and her 16 draws inseven conference games tied her for fifth in the CAA in thatcategory. Strain, who started 49 of 51 games over her final threeseasons, also had 42 caused turnovers for her career. The Dukeswent 58-32 (.644) while she was on the team.

Strain has been selected for U.S. National Team trials twice.She has worked numerous lacrosse camps in Virginia and also spent asummer playing lacrosse in Australia. Strain is also a techrepresentative for STX, Inc. in Baltimore. Strain received her B.S.in kinesiology with a minor in business in 2007 and her M.B.A. inathletic administration from JMU in December 2008. She was athree-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Award winner.

A native of Alexandria, Va., Strain attended Mt. Vernon. Hersisters, Cathleen and Shannon, played lacrosse at Longwood.