A native of Cortland and a 2000 graduate of Nazareth, Lian returns for her 11th season in 2019 after guiding the Golden Flyers to an overall mark of 97-67 (including a 56-21 record in Empire 8 Conference games) with berths in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament each of the last 10 seasons. Lian enjoyed her best season as Nazareth coach in 2015 as the Golden Flyers finished 12-4 overall and won the regular-season E8 title with a 7-1 league mark. Lian and her staff were named E8 Coaching Staff of the Year.

Before taking over at Nazareth, Lian coached at Brockport for six seasons and helped spearhead dramatic improvement in the women's lacrosse program. Her six-year record of 62-31, included school records for victories in 2007 (13) and again in 2008 (14). She was named State University of New York Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. She followed that up in 2008 by guiding the Golden Eagles to a 14-4 overall record, including a 6-2 mark in the SUNYAC. The Golden Eagles lost 14-13 to Cortland in the conference championship game, but regrouped to score decisive wins over Utica and St. John Fisher to claim the ECAC Upstate New York championship.

Lian also filled several administrative roles at Brockport, including adjunct physical education instructor; director of athletic advertising; assistant sports information director; athletic ticket manager; CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinator; and advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.2251

Lian's coaching resume includes three seasons as assistant field hockey coach at Brockport; one season as assistant lacrosse coach at Fredonia; and several seasons as a facilitator at numerous camps and clinics. During the summer, she operates the popular Nazareth Girls' Lacrosse Camp. At Nazareth, she also assists with compliance during the fall and winter seasons.

As a student-athlete, Lian was a standout in field hockey and lacrosse at Nazareth. She was named defensive MVP in field hockey in 1999 and was team captain in lacrosse for three seasons. She was a second-team Empire 8 Conference lacrosse all-star in 2000 and helped Nazareth to its first NCAA Tournament appearance that season.

Lian has a degree in Business Administration from Nazareth and a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Athletic Administration from Brockport. She resides in Brighton with her husband, Steve, and sons, Jayden, Kellen and Connor.