Prior to joining Mercyhurst, Struss spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Seton Hill and one season as an assistant at NCAA Division I Gardner Webb as an assistant coach.

"I am very excited that Sam will be joining the Laker coaching staff," head coach Kevin Cooke said. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, a familiarity with the PSAC and great enthusiasm for women's lacrosse.

Struss made the move into coaching following a stellar playing career at Liberty of the Big South Conference, where she complied 108 goals and 55 assists in just 73 games. Her best season was in 2015, when the attacker accounted for 36 goals and 20 assists while helping Liberty to a runner-up finish in the Big South Tournament.

A native of Evans City, Pa., Struss was named to the All-Big South Conference Second Team as a senior in 2015. The two-time Big South All-Conference honoree holds a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science from Liberty and holds her MBA in Entrepreneurship from Seton Hill.

Struss has a wealth of coaching experience at the club level as well, most recently serving as an assistant coach for Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse Club (PPLC). She also spent three seasons as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh Select Lacrosse, where she worked with the offense, implemented drills and advanced player's knowledge and individual skills.