“I’m extremely honored and excited to be joining the women’s lacrosse program here at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy,” said Meritz. “I want to thank our Athletic Director Mo White, Coach Simensky and the rest of the Athletics Department for this opportunity. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the women’s lacrosse team in the upcoming season and beyond.”

Meritz comes to Kings Point after recently graduating from Stony Brook University this past May. She was a four-year starting defender for the Seawolves’ women’s lacrosse team and helped lead Stony Brook to four straight America East Championships during her time with the squad. Individually, she was named a 2015 IWLCA All-American Defender, the 2015 America East Defensive Player of the Year and was a three-time All-America East Team selection, as well as a 2016 Preseason All-American.

She finished her career with 116 groundballs, 62 caused turnovers and 21 draw controls in 82 games. Meritz was also a major factor and one of the top go-to defenders in Stony Brook’s clearing game for all four seasons she played there.

Academically, Meritz enjoyed success in the classroom as well as on the field, as she earned a spot on the America East Academic Honor Roll in both 2015 and 2016.

She has coaching experience with the 91 Girls Lacrosse Club program out of Hauppauge, Long Island, where she has served as both an assistant and now a head coach. Meritz has been with 91 Lacrosse since 2015. She has also served as a dynamic lacrosse trainer for Dynamic Sports out of Melville, N.Y.

“We are extremely excited about having Maegan join the Kings Point lacrosse family this year,” commented Simensky. “Her passion, enthusiasm and wealth of lacrosse knowledge and playing experience will be a tremendous benefit to our growing program.”

Meritz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Stony Brook. She currently resides in Farmingdale, N.Y.