New Women’s LAX coach brings playoff pedigree

She has ‘what it takes to compete for championships in the ODAC.’

After a successful 2025 season, Women’s Lacrosse has named Emerson Foster their new head coach. Foster earned her first head coaching position after previously having a successful stint as an assistant coach at Randolph-Macon College.

“She brings a passion for player development, strong recruiting ties and an understanding of what it takes to compete for championships in the ODAC,” Andrea Hoover-Erbig, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, said in a VWU Athletics article.

“As an assistant coach, I shifted into developing players, recruiting and supporting the systems already in place. Now, as a head coach, I get to set a vision, a standard and make the decisions that impact the entire program,” Foster said.

Former Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Madison Heck recently took the head coaching job at Saint Mary’s College of Maryland. Players said that the transition between coaches is going smoothly.

“Coach Emerson has been wonderful about easing our worries and focusing on getting to know us while also adjusting to the team. That really shows how much she wants us to succeed, and it has made this transition so much easier,” senior Joy Ramsey said.

Ramsey said this is the team’s third new head coach in her time as a lacrosse player at VWU, and it can be difficult to adjust to new styles and expectations of a coach.

“Only a couple of days after she was hired, she came in with our schedule ready and jumped right into fall ball with us. That kind of dedication and excitement showed right away,” Ramsey said.

Foster has a lot of talent to work with, especially sophomore Reese Morgenthaler. In her first collegiate season, Morgenthaler scored 43 goals and racked up 13 assists, earning an All-Conference nod.

“We as a team were able to continuously push each other in practice and connect and support each other, allowing us to make opportunities for each other on the field, which made this recognition possible,” Morgenthaler said.

She became the first VWU Women’s Lacrosse player to earn All-Conference since 2019.

“I am excited to see the new dynamic of our team this year, and overall, my goal is to do whatever I need to do to help our team succeed,” Morgenthaler said.

Having a successful career herself, Foster understands what it takes to succeed at the collegiate level in the ODAC.

“Having been in their shoes not too long ago, I can relate to the student-athlete experience and use those lessons to help my players develop both on and off the field. It also shaped my competitive drive and energy, which I bring into my coaching every day,” Foster said.

Foster completed her own college career in 2022 at Roanoke College.

“One of the best parts of coaching is getting to know new athletes, their strengths and what motivates them. Every team has its own personality, and I see it as an opportunity to learn,” Foster said.

While the Marlins did have a successful season last year, going 5-4 in conference play during the regular season, there is still work that needs to be done to reach the top of the conference.

Six teams placed above the Marlins in the ODAC, including Bridgewater College, whom the Marlins lost to this past spring in the playoffs.

“In our conversations as a team, our goal this year is to breach the top six in the ODAC. Last year, we ended in the seventh spot, right behind Bridgewater. We have always been very competitive with Bridgewater College, and we are hoping this year will be the year we can come out on top,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey is looking to take another step up this season to help push the Marlins further in the ODAC tournament.

“I’m really hoping to be even more of a threat on defense this year. Last season, I finished with 31 ground balls and 28 caused turnovers, and my goal is to earn at least 15 more of each of these statistics this upcoming season,” Ramsey said.

While this is important to Ramsey, she prefaced with the fact that her ultimate goal is to lead the team to a winning season.

“At the end of the day, the team’s success means everything; when the team succeeds, I succeed too,” Ramsey said.

“I’m especially excited for those moments where all the hard work comes together, celebrating small and big milestones,” Foster said.

The Marlins have the rest of the fall to prepare for their spring season as they look forward to competing.