DETROIT (7/1/2024) -- University of Detroit Mercy head women's lacrosse coach Madeline Dugan announced that former collegiate head coach Alexa Matta has joined the Titan program as an assistant coach.

"I am thrilled to welcome Alexa to the Titan family," said coach Dugan. "She brings experience, energy, and knowledge that will help us continue to take our program to the next level. Alexa has the dedication and energy to succeed and I am beyond excited to welcome Alexa!"

Matta spent the last five seasons leading Siena Heights, where she tallied 30 total wins and an 18-13 mark in league play in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). During her time, the Saints made back-to-back appearances in the NAIA Tournament, had 14 All-Conference selections, one WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-American and numerous academic accolades. 

"I would like to thank the UDM athletic department and Coach Dugan for this incredible opportunity to join the Detroit Mercy lacrosse family," said coach Matta. "I am eager to work together to achieve our goals on and off the field."

Just this past season, Siena Heights led the NAIA with 11 Scholar-Athletes. The 2021 season was one of the best in program history as the Saints qualified for the NAIA women's lacrosse championship for the first time in school history as the defense allowed a school-record 10.39 goals per game. SHU followed that up with a 10-win season - only the second time in school history it posted back-to-back winning campaigns - and another national tournament berth in 2022. The program also recorded its first WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and NAIA All-American when Marissa Cirino was honored with both awards. 

Prior to arriving at SHU, Matta coached at West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita, California, where she was the offensive coordinator and helped lead the team to the best record in school history and an appearance in the 2018 LA Division semi-finals. She also helped start the High Tide girl's club lacrosse program and coached student-athletes who eventually competed at the NCAA Division I, Division III and NAIA levels. 

Matta's familiarity with the WHAC came as a four-year starter for the Indiana Tech women's lacrosse team from 2012-16. She earned First-Team All-WHAC in 2014, 2015, and 2016 on her way to being named a two-time NWLL and NAIA All-American. She averaged 3.61 goals per game for a total of 65 on the season in 2016. Matta helped lead the Warriors women's lacrosse team to the NWLL and NAIA national tournament all four years of her collegiate career. 

She graduated from Indiana Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2016. 

The Titans are coming off a season in which they made the postseason for the first time since 2019 and advanced to its first-ever MAC Championship, the fifth title game in school history.