University of North Carolina at Charlotte Women's Lacrosse

After becoming the first assistant coach to join the program, Sarah Stagaard serves as the program's interim head coach, a post she assumed in June 2025. Stagaard assisted former head coach Clare Short at Queens University where she helped drive the Royals to a 21-1 record in their final campaign, en route to reaching No. 1 in the nation, winning another South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament title. Another south region title followed in the NCAA II Women's Lacrosse Championship before ending the year with a 13-12 overtime loss to East Stroudsburg in the national semifinals. Stagaard's first coaching position came at Bloomsburg for the 2021 season after finishing a stellar career at Grand Valley State. Playing all four years with the Lakers and never missing any of the 57 matches played during that time and having COVID abruptly end her senior season in 2020, the midfielder still found the back of the net 84 times notching 93 points over her career. A total of 95 draw controls, 51 ground balls, 23 caused turnovers and seven game-winning goals rounded out her playing career.

Brianna Samuels joins Head Coach Sarah Staagard’s staff as an Assistant Coach for the 2026 season following five years at Jacksonville University, where she spent last season as a graduate assistant following a decorated playing career. While on staff, Samuels was responsible for coordinating team events, travel, and serving as a liaison for athlete mental health services. Under her guidance, the Dolphins posted a 10-6 record, including a 6-0 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference during the regular season. Prior to joining the coaching staff Samuels appeared in 56 games over four seasons for Jacksonville, totaling 73 goals along with 25 assists in her collegiate career. Beginning her collegiate career with an Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team nod in 2021, Samuels’ play was a key factor in the Dolphins hoisting three straight ASUN titles in her first three seasons. Scoring 38 goals in her junior season, capped off with an overtime winner against Liberty in the championship game, Samuels was named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team in 2023. Jacksonville earned three NCAA Tournament berths with Samuels in the lineup, advancing to the second round consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 with wins over Vanderbilt and Stanford. Off the field, Samuels completed a double-major in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Management and was twice named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll. A native of Allentown, N.J., Samuels was a four-year letterwinner in both lacrosse and soccer at Allentown High Sc