Those traits also run deep in Emily Boissonneault, who was tabbed as the first head coach in Pitt lacrosse history Friday, June 29, 2019. Boissonneault comes to the Panthers with a track record of excellence as a coach and player as well as significant experience in building program’s from scratch.

In addition to her achievements in the world of college lacrosse, Boissonneault is also heavily involved on the international stage helping Team Canada to three silver medals as a player and serving as assistant coach with the Team Canada U19 National Team, which will compete in the 2019 World Championship Aug. 1-10 in Peterborough, Canada.

Prior to accepting the Pitt job, Boissonneault spent the past four seasons at James Madison (2016-19) helping guide the Dukes to three Colonial Athletic Association [CAA] Conference Championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2018 National Championship. She was hired as an assistant coach with the JMU lacrosse program in July 2015 and was promoted to associate head coach in July 2018. Boissonneault was primarily responsible for running JMU's defensive unit and also served as the program's recruiting coordinator.

JMU reached four consecutive NCAA Championships, which included winning the 2018 National Championship, with Boissonneault on the sidelines. She helped lead the Dukes to a 62-22 (.738), including an impressive 22-2 (.917) mark in CAA play. JMU won each of the past three CAA championships and posted a 5-3 mark in NCAA Tournament play over the past four seasons.

Last season, James Madison posted a 16-4 record, including a 6-0 mark in CAA play, and finished 15th in the final IWLCA Coaches Poll. JMU had three players earn IWLCA All-Region accolades in first team honoree Caroline Sdanowich and second team members Molly Dougherty and Maddie McDaniel. Sdanowich was additionally a top-25 nominee for the Tewaaraton Award and voted CAA Defensive Player of the Year, while Dougherty was CAA Goalkeeper of the Year.

The Dukes ranked fourth nationally in save percentage (.525) and seventh in scoring defense (8.6). They were also 11th in draw control percentage (.593) and 19th in scoring margin (+4.45). JMU allowed fewer than 10 goals in a game 15 times in 2019.

In 2018, the Dukes won a school record 16 regular season games and after capturing the CAA tournament title was awarded the No. 3 seed for the NCAA Tournament. JMU earned NCAA wins against Virginia, No. 6 Florida and No. 2