The Warriors were able to offer the position to Ward thanks in part to the Division II Coaching Enhancement Grant, which is made possible through the NCAA Division II Presidents Council.

Ward came to ESU from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, where she served four seasons as the first assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and goalie coach for the NCAA Division II Lakers. While at GVSU, Ward was tasked with recruiting, social media, film, and strength and conditioning responsibilities.

During her time in Allendale, the Lakers won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) regular-season championship three times and captured the 2016 GLIAC Tournament crown. GVSU received its first-ever bid to the NCAA DII Women's Lacrosse Championship following its conference title in 2016.

Ward guided an offense that finished second in the country in goals per game (18.50) in 2018 while coaching 11 all-conference selections, five all-region players, and the GLIAC Midfielder of the Year. As a goalie coach, she was able to work with the 2018 GLIAC Goalie of the Year, Briana DeMilia.

Ward was a three-year starter on the women's lacrosse team at Lock Haven (2013-15) and was an All-PSAC selection in 2013 and 2015. The Bald Eagles advanced to the NCAA DII Quarterfinals in 2013 and finished as the national runner-up in 2014 and 2015. Lock Haven also captured the PSAC Women's Lacrosse Championship in 2014 and 2015. Ward was named to the IWLCA North-South Senior All-Star Game in 2015.

Ward competed for Team Ireland in The European Championships in 2015 in Czech Republic, where she was the second-leading goal scorer on the team and helped Ireland take fifth place, its highest finish in team history.

She also played in the 2017 FIL Women's Lacrosse World Cup with Team Ireland and ranked sixth on the squad in scoring in the tournament. Ward helped the team place 13th overall, and she was named the Most Valuable Player in a game against The Netherlands.

Ward earned her Bachelor of Science degree in recreation management with a concentration in fitness from Lock Haven University in 2015. Ward attained her Master's degree in higher education while at GVSU in April 2018.