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General Chaos: 5 Reasons Washington And Lee University Lacrosse Is Dominating NCAA D-III Right Now

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The Washington and Lee University (W&L) Lacrosse program has firmly established itself as a national powerhouse in NCAA Division III, with the most recent 2024 season marking one of the most successful periods in the school’s history. As of the current date, December 24, 2025, the Generals’ men’s and women’s teams are coming off a year of unprecedented achievement, highlighted by deep national tournament runs and a continuation of legendary conference dominance.

The Generals, competing in the highly competitive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), are not just winning; they are setting new benchmarks for excellence. The men's team made a historic run to the NCAA Semifinals, while the women's team continued their nearly two-decade-long reign over the ODAC. This article dives into the key factors, players, and coaches driving this incredible era for W&L Lacrosse.

The Architects of Success: Coaches and Key Player Biographies

The foundation of the Generals’ sustained success lies in the stability and expertise of their coaching staff, coupled with a pipeline of elite Division III talent. These individuals are the core entities driving the program's topical authority in the lacrosse world.

Men's Lacrosse Leadership: Gene McCabe

  • Role: Head Men's Lacrosse Coach (Entering his 20th season for the 2026 season).
  • 2024 Recognition: Named the 2024 Region 4 Coaching Staff of the Year, a testament to the team's historic NCAA tournament run. He was also selected as the 2025 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coach of the Year.
  • Career Highlights: Has consistently elevated the W&L Generals into a perennial national contender, culminating in the 2024 NCAA Semifinals appearance.

Women's Lacrosse Leadership: Maddie Coleman

  • Role: Head Women's Lacrosse Coach (Named the third Head Coach in program history on August 1, 2022).
  • 2023 Recognition: Selected as the 2023 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coach of the Year.
  • Impact: Has maintained the program’s elite status, guiding the team to its 14th consecutive ODAC Championship title in 2024.

Spotlight Players from the 2024 Season

  • Chris Datz (Men's Defense): A key defensive entity for the Generals, Datz was recognized for his outstanding play, earning All-ODAC honors in 2024. His performance was crucial to the team's ability to shut down opponents during their NCAA run.
  • Ford (Women's Defense): A dominant force, Ford extended Washington and Lee’s impressive streak of ODAC Defensive Player of the Year honors to six straight seasons for the program.
  • Hannah Van Son (Women's Attack): An offensive catalyst, Van Son was named to the ODAC All-Tournament team, showcasing her clutch performance in the conference championship.
  • Iman Haddad (Women's Midfield): Like Van Son, Haddad earned a spot on the prestigious ODAC All-Tournament team, highlighting the depth of talent in the W&L midfield.

The Men’s Historic NCAA Semifinal Run: General Chaos

The 2024 season was a landmark year for the W&L Men's Lacrosse team, a campaign that will be remembered for years as one of the best in program history. The team’s journey through the NCAA Division III Tournament demonstrated a new level of national competitiveness and resilience, capturing the attention of the entire lacrosse community.

The Generals entered the national tournament as a formidable contender, quickly dispatching their opponents in the early rounds. Their path included a dominant 17-4 victory over Lake Forest in the Round of 32, showcasing their potent offensive capabilities. However, the most talked-about moment of the season was their stunning upset victory.

In a major shockwave across Division III, Washington and Lee defeated perennial power Salisbury University. This victory was monumental—the first time W&L had beaten Salisbury since 2013, and the first time they had ever won against them in the NCAA Tournament, a true "General Chaos" moment. This win propelled the team to the NCAA Semifinals, a rare and elite achievement for the program.

While the championship run ultimately ended in the semifinals with a 19-13 loss, the team’s performance cemented their status among the nation’s elite. The team saw 10 standouts garner All-ODAC recognition, underscoring the depth of talent cultivated by Coach Gene McCabe and his staff.

Unprecedented Dominance: The Women’s ODAC Dynasty

If the men's team provided the national shockwaves, the W&L Women's Lacrosse team delivered the expected, yet no less impressive, consistency. Their 2024 campaign was a masterclass in conference dominance, culminating in their 14th consecutive ODAC Championship title.

The Generals finished the 2024 season with an outstanding overall record of 18-4, including a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play. This level of sustained excellence is virtually unmatched in NCAA Division III women's lacrosse. The program has become synonymous with the ODAC Championship, creating a dynastic reputation that draws top recruits to the Lexington, Virginia campus.

Key statistics and awards from the 2024 season highlight this dominance:

  • 14 Straight Titles: The 2024 ODAC Championship extended the program's streak, a testament to the culture established by Coach Maddie Coleman.
  • League-High All-ODAC Selections: The team earned a league-high nine All-ODAC selections, demonstrating superiority across the field, from defense to offense.
  • Defensive Excellence: The program's defensive prowess is legendary, with the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year award residing at W&L for six consecutive seasons, currently held by the commanding defender, Ford.
  • Tournament Performance: Players like Hannah Van Son and Iman Haddad stepping up to earn ODAC All-Tournament honors shows the team's ability to perform under high-pressure championship conditions.

The Future of W&L Lacrosse: Sustained Excellence

Looking ahead to the upcoming seasons, the Washington and Lee Lacrosse program shows no signs of slowing down. The 2024 season was not an anomaly but a confirmation of the program's elite status in the NCAA Division III landscape.

The men's team, having experienced the atmosphere of the NCAA Semifinals, will use that momentum to push for the National Championship title. The culture built by Gene McCabe, who is entering his 20th season, ensures that the Generals will be prepared for another deep tournament run. The recruitment of new talent to play at Fulton Field will be focused on integrating players who can immediately contribute to the high-level competition.

For the women's team, the goal remains the same: extend the ODAC dynasty and translate that conference dominance into a National Championship. Under Maddie Coleman's leadership, the team is structured for long-term success, with a focus on developing all-conference performers and maintaining their trademark defensive intensity. The continued success of the W&L Generals is a compelling narrative in collegiate athletics, proving that focused, high-level Division III programs can achieve national recognition and sustained excellence.

General Chaos: 5 Reasons Washington and Lee University Lacrosse is Dominating NCAA D-III Right Now
washington and lee university lacrosse
washington and lee university lacrosse

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