LYNN — St. Mary’s has found its next girls lacrosse coach in Jessica Gambale, who was an assistant under previous coach Manny Lopes last spring.
“I’m excited to be returning with St. Mary’s as the head coach this season,” said Gambale, who will remain Lynn Classical’s girls soccer coach. “We have the majority of the team returning and after having an overall successful season last year, I expect us to be even better this season with returning leadership and more experienced players.”
Last year, the Spartans were 9-12 and won a Division 3 state tournament game before losing to Bishop Fenwick in the Round of 32.
Gambale played at Swampscott High and Framingham State University.
“Unfortunately, my collegiate playing career was cut short due to an ACL injury, but that experience strengthened my resilience and deepened my understanding of the game from both a physical and mental perspective,” she said. “Following college . . . I served as an assistant coach with Marblehead for two seasons and assisted at St. Mary’s for one season.”
Gambale is thankful for her time under Marblehead coach Annie Madden, as well as Lopes.
“Annie Madden gave me my start to coaching lacrosse and taught me so much. Annie has led a successful Marblehead program due to her knowledge of the game and great leadership as a coach. She taught me new drills, formations, plays, motions, and how to run a program as successful as Marblehead’s,” Gambale said. “Under Manny’s leadership at St. Mary’s, I learned how to set high expectations for captains and hold them accountable as true leaders of the program. I also grew in my ability to develop players’ game IQ, teaching them how to make quick, confident, and strategic decisions in live-game situations.”
As for Gambale’s goals at Manning Field and beyond, it’s simple.
“To improve my knowledge of how to train lacrosse players by studying new motions, plays, and formations, while also ensuring the best experience to each of the players.”
