Who is Michelle Tumolo and how has she impacted Army Women’s Lacrosse. What achievements has she accomplished as head coach. How did her playing and coaching experience contribute to her success.
Michelle Tumolo’s Appointment as Army’s Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach
In June 2021, Michelle Tumolo was appointed as the Noto Family Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach at Army West Point. This appointment marked the beginning of a new era for the Black Knights’ lacrosse program. Tumolo’s extensive experience as both a player and coach made her an ideal candidate to lead Army’s team to new heights.
Tumolo’s Vision for Army Lacrosse
Upon her appointment, Tumolo expressed her enthusiasm: “I am beyond excited and honored to be The Noto Family Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Army West Point! I can’t wait to lead these incredible young women, who have chosen a path of leadership and service.” Her vision for the program focused on developing not just skilled athletes, but also future leaders.
Unprecedented Success in Tumolo’s Second Season
Tumolo’s impact on the Army Women’s Lacrosse program became evident in her second season as head coach. The team achieved several milestones:
- Earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament
- Reached the Patriot League Championship game for the first time in program history
- Secured a program-record 15 victories
- Broke into the national rankings, achieving a rank as high as 13
- Ended the season ranked 14th in the ILWomen/IWLCA poll
Notable Victories and Achievements
Under Tumolo’s guidance, the Black Knights achieved several significant victories:
- Multiple wins over ranked teams
- Two victories over archrival Navy (regular season and Patriot League Tournament semifinals)
- First-ever win over a top-20 opponent (Jacksonville)
- Defeat of first-ever top-10 opponent (Rutgers)
Tumolo’s Coaching Accolades and Player Development
Tumolo’s success did not go unnoticed, as she was named Patriot League Coach of the Year following the 2023 season. Her ability to develop players was evident in the individual achievements of her team members:
- Brigid Duffy: Patriot League Rookie of the Year and USA Lacrosse Magazine Second Team All-American
- Kathleen Sullivan, Jolie Riedell, and Julia Franzoni: All-Patriot League First Team selections
USA U20 Women’s National Team Appointment
Tumolo’s coaching prowess was further recognized when she was appointed as an assistant coach for the USA U20 Women’s National Team in the summer of 2023. This role will see her contribute to the team’s preparation for the 2024 U20 World Cup.
Tumolo’s First Season Success at Army
Even in her inaugural season with the Black Knights, Tumolo made a significant impact:
- Led the team to a 12-6 overall record
- Achieved a 7-2 mark in Patriot League play
- Guided the team to a program-record 10-game winning streak
- Secured Army’s first-ever victory over archrival Navy
Five cadet-athletes were named to the All-Patriot League teams, showcasing Tumolo’s ability to develop talent across the roster.
Tumolo’s Coaching Journey Prior to Army
Before joining Army, Tumolo had already established herself as a successful coach in collegiate lacrosse. Her previous coaching experiences include:
Wagner College
At Wagner, Tumolo transformed the team into a powerhouse in the Northeast Conference (NEC):
- Led the team to a 29-13 combined record
- Won the NEC title in 2019
- Reached the conference championship game in 2021
- Achieved the best winning percentage in program history (16-4 in 2019)
- Mentored five NEC First-Team selections, two players-of-the-year, and seven academic honor roll students
Oregon
As the top assistant coach at Oregon, Tumolo coordinated the offensive attack:
- Helped the team set numerous school records in 2018
- Led the offense to 336 points, the second-highest total in program history
Syracuse
Tumolo returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the 2016 season:
- Helped guide the Orange to a Final Four appearance
University of Florida
During her two-year stint at Florida, Tumolo’s offensive expertise shone:
- Led the NCAA in goals per game with 15.52
- Contributed to a 33-8 record over two seasons
- Helped the team reach the NCAA tournament in both years
Tumolo’s Playing Career: A Foundation for Coaching Success
Michelle Tumolo’s success as a coach is built upon her exceptional playing career. As one of Syracuse’s most prolific attackers, Tumolo’s achievements include:
- Finished her career ranked third in Syracuse history with 278 points
- Second in program history with 137 assists
- Earned first-team All-America honors in 2012
- Named a Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2012
- Selected as the IWLCA Attacker of the Year and Big East Attack Player of the Year in 2012
- Helped lead Syracuse to the national championship game in 2012
Professional Playing Career
Tumolo’s playing career extended beyond college:
- Played professionally in the United Women’s Lacrosse League
- Member of the U.S. Women’s National Team
Tumolo’s Coaching Philosophy and Impact
Michelle Tumolo’s coaching philosophy combines her extensive playing experience with a deep understanding of offensive strategies. Her approach focuses on:
- Developing high-powered scoring offenses
- Nurturing individual player talents
- Fostering leadership skills both on and off the field
- Emphasizing academic excellence alongside athletic achievement
This comprehensive approach has allowed Tumolo to consistently elevate the programs she leads, as evidenced by her success at Wagner and now at Army.
Impact on Player Development
Tumolo’s ability to develop players is evident in the numerous individual accolades her athletes have received. From All-Conference selections to national award winners, her guidance has helped players reach their full potential.
The Future of Army Women’s Lacrosse under Tumolo
With Michelle Tumolo at the helm, the future of Army Women’s Lacrosse looks bright. Her track record of success, combined with her passion for the sport and commitment to developing student-athletes, positions the program for continued growth and achievement.
Goals for the Program
As Tumolo continues to lead the Black Knights, some potential goals for the program include:
- Consistently competing for Patriot League championships
- Establishing Army as a perennial NCAA Tournament contender
- Further improving the team’s national ranking
- Continuing to develop All-American caliber players
- Maintaining a strong focus on academic excellence
With Tumolo’s leadership and the foundation she has built in her first two seasons, Army Women’s Lacrosse is poised to become a prominent force in collegiate lacrosse.
Impact on Recruitment
Tumolo’s success and reputation in the lacrosse world are likely to have a positive impact on Army’s recruitment efforts. Top high school players may be increasingly drawn to the program, attracted by the opportunity to play for a coach with Tumolo’s pedigree and the chance to be part of a rising program.
As Michelle Tumolo continues to shape the Army Women’s Lacrosse program, her impact extends beyond just wins and losses. She is building a culture of excellence, leadership, and service that aligns perfectly with the values of the United States Military Academy. The combination of Tumolo’s coaching expertise and Army’s commitment to developing leaders of character creates a unique and powerful environment for student-athletes to thrive both on and off the field.
Michelle Tumolo – Noto Family Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach – Staff Directory
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Michelle Tumolo was hired as the Noto Family Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach in June of 2021.
Tumolo led Army on an unprecedented run to the NCAA Tournament in her second season at the helm of the Black Knights, earning an at-large bid to the tournament. Tumolo was named Patriot League Coach of the Year following the season, as Army reached the Patriot League Championship game for the first time in program history behind a program-record 15 victories.
The Black Knights broke into the national rankings for the first time in 2023, achieving a rank as high as 13 while ending the season ranked 14th in the ILWomen/IWLCA poll.
Army’s efforts in 2023 included multiple wins over ranked teams, including a pair of victories over archrival Navy in both the regular season star series matchup and in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. The Black Knights first-ever win over a top-20 opponent came on the road at Jacksonville before Army defeated its first-ever top-10 opponent in Rutgers at home. Tumolo coached Patriot League Rookie of the Year and USA Lacrosse Magazine Second Team All-American Brigid Duffy to a program 82 points across the season, with Kathleen Sullivan, Jolie Riedell and Julia Franzoni all joining Duffy on the All-Patriot League First Team.
It was announced that Tumolo would join the staff of the USA U20 Women’s National Team in the summer of 2023 as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024 U20 World Cup.
Tumolo led the Black Knights to a 12-6 overall record in her first season at the helm for Army, which featured a 7-2 mark in Patriot League play.
Army reached a program-record 10-game winning streak through the middle of the season, and was able to defeat archrival Navy for the first time in program history. Army saw five cadet-athletes named to the All-Patriot League teams, including Julia Gorajek and Jolie Riedell on the first team, along with Carleigh Armstrong, Kathleen Sullivan and Ceara Sweeney on the second team.
Tumolo is no stranger to the game of lacrosse, as she boasts an impressive resume both as a coach and a player. Under her guidance, Wagner became one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference (NEC), making the conference championship game in 2021 after winning the NEC title in 2019. Prior to Wagner, the former All-American made stops at Oregon, Florida and Syracuse as an assistant coach.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be The Noto Family Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Army West Point! I want to first thank Kristine Fowler, Mike Buddie, Anthony Noto and the entire search committee for this life changing opportunity. The time I spent with each member of the committee, the more I learned about the greatness of this academy and program. I can’t wait to lead these incredible young women, who have chosen a path of leadership and service. I cannot wait to get started. Go Army!!”
With Tumolo calling the shots at Wagner, the Seahawks posted a combined record of 29-13 while making two conference championship games and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The team’s 16-4 mark in 2019 was good for the best winning percentage in the program’s history. Along the way, Tumolo mentored five NEC First-Team selections, two players-of-the-year and seven academic honor roll students.
Tumolo’s experience as a player has helped her create a number of high-powered scoring offenses at her previous destinations. While in Eugene, Tumolo coordinated the Oregon offensive attack as their top assistant coach. Thanks to her insight, the Ducks set a number of school records in 2018 while racking up 336 points for the second highest total in the program’s history.
Tumolo returned to Syracuse as an assistant coach for the 2016 season under Gary Gait, helping the Orange to a final four appearance. Before returning to Syracuse, Tumolo spent two-years at the University of Florida where her offense led the NCAA in goals per game with 15.52. The Gators posted a 33-8 record in her two years with the program, making the NCAA tournament in both seasons.
As a player, Tumolo was one of the most dangerous attackers in Syracuse history, ranking third on the school’s all-time points list with 278. In her junior season, Tumolo finished sixth on the NCAA points list with 78 while also being named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award – given every year to the nation’s top women’s lacrosse player.
Tumolo’s talents on the field helped land her a spot on Team USA, where she competed in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Surrey, England in 2017. Her 12 goals and 17 assists helped Team USA take home the gold medal in England.
After her outstanding performance in the tournament, Tumolo was one of seven U.S. players to be named to the All-World Team
| Year | Team | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Goals (avg.) |
| 2019 | Wagner | 16 | 4 | .800 | 13.45 |
| 2020 | Wagner | 3 | 4 | .429 | 12.85 |
| 2021 | Wagner | 10 | 5 | .667 | 14.20 |
| 2022 | Army | 12 | 6 | . 667 | 14.72 |
| 2023 | Army | 15 | 4 | .790 | 14.32 |
| TOTAL | 5 Seasons | 56 | 23 | .709 | 13.91 |
© 2023 Army West Point / goarmywestpoint.com
© 2023 Army West Point
goarmywestpoint.com
Michelle Tumolo – Women’s Lacrosse
Notables: Ranks fourth on Syracuse’s all-time scoring list with 278 points .
.. Ranks second on the career assists list and is ninth on the all-time goals list with 137 assists and 141 goals … Ninth all time in single-season points with 95 (52g, 43a).
Senior Year: 2013 ‘Cuse Awards Female Performance of the Year award winner … Notched four goals, two assists and two ground balls against Maryland … Named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after registering two goals, three assists, two draw controls and a caused turnover against Virginia … Scored a team-best five points (4g, 1a) against Florida…Registered three points (2g, 1a), three ground balls and two caused turnovers against Towson … Posted six points (2g, 4a) and a ground ball against Connecticut … Tallied five points (2g, 3a) and two ground balls against Boston College … Picked up a ground ball against Northwestern … Notched four points (1g, 3a), two caused turnovers and a ground ball against Villanova … Recorded three points (1g, 2a), a ground ball and caused turnover aginst Rutgers .
.. Posted seven points (3g, 4a) and six ground balls against Louisville … Registered a goal, a ground ball and a caused turnover against Cincinnati … Picked up an assist against Cornell.
Junior Year: IWLCA Attacker of the Year … IWLCA First Team All-American … Tewaaraton Trophy finalist … BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year … All-Northeast Region First Team honoree … Unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team … WomensLax.com and SynapseSports.com Attacker of the Year … Named a first-team All-American by both websites … Member of the NCAA Championship and BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Teams … Became the second player in school history to record 200 points and 100 assists in her career … Ranked sixth in the nation in points (95) and 10th in assists (43) … Led the team in assists and caused turnovers (16) … Her 95 points rank sixth and her 43 assists rank fourth on the school’s single-season record list … Started all 22 games in which she played … Team co-captain … Four-time BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week … Scored a career-high eight points against Towson … Named Baltimore Sun’s National Player of the Week after recording five points (3g, 2a) in SU’s upset of No.
3 Maryland … Tied her career high with eight points in back-to-back games against Dartmouth and Georgetown … Tied her career high with five assists at Cincinnati … Led the team with five points against North Carolina … Recorded two goals, including the game-winner with five seconds remaining, and an assist in the final 3:04 to give SU a come-from-behind victory against the Tar Heels and a trip to the national semifinals … Recorded five points (3g, 2a) against Florida in the national semifinals … Scored three or more goals in 12 games.
Sophomore Year: Led the team in scoring with 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) …Ranked second on the team in ground balls (21)…Named to the All-BIG EAST First Team … Selected as a All-Northeast Region First Team Honoree …Scored two goals and recorded two control turnovers against Loyola in the Big East Tournament … Tallied four points (two goals, two assists) against Villanova … Had five points (three goals, two assists) against Loyola .
.. Scored a career-high four goals and picked up one assist against Cornell … Registered four points (one goal, three assists) against Cincinnati … Recorded two assists against Louisville … Assisted on two goals against Georgetown … Named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll for her performances against Notre Dame, Connecticut, and Dartmouth … Had three points (two goals, one assist) against the Irish … Matched her career-best in a six-point performance against the Huskies with three goals … Recorded two points (one goal, one assist) against the Big Green … Named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll for her efforts against Rutgers and Northwestern … Matched her career high with four assists in the BIG EAST opener against the Scarlet Knights … Matched her career best with three goals against the Wildcats … Tallied four points (two goals, two assists) against Florida … Registered three points (two goals, one assist) against Towson … Recorded two assists against Virginia … Tallied three points (two goals and an assist) against Stanford .
.. Matched her career high with four assists in the season opener against Colgate … Named to the 2011 Tewaaraton Award watch list.
Freshman Year: Named to the 2010-11 U.S. Women’s Lacrosse national team … Earned All-Northeast Region Second Team and WomensLax.com All-Rookie Team honors … Posted the highest single-season totals in points and assists for a freshman in Syracuse history … Was the second-highest scoring freshman in the nation (74) … Finished 11th in the nation and third in the BIG EAST in assists with 37, which rank fourth on Syracuse’s single-season record list … Ranked third on the team in scoring … Recorded 17 ground balls, 14 draw controls, and 10 caused turnovers on the season … Led the team in scoring in the NCAA Tournament with 10 points … Dished out four assists in three contests … Scored at least one goal in 20 games … Named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after posting five points (three goals and two assists) against Boston University … Named WomensLax.
com Rookie of the Week for her efforts against Colgate, which featured a team-high seven points (three goals and four assists) … First freshman to record seven points in a game since the 2007 season … Registered a career-best four ground balls, two draw controls and two caused turnovers at Louisville.
High School: Earned US Lacrosse All-America First Team team honors as junior and senior … Ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the nation by Inside Lacrosse … Four-time All-Olympic Conference First Team honoree … Named to the All-South Jersey First Team in 2008 and 2009 after earning second-team honors in 2006 and 2007 … Member of the 2009 South Jersey Senior All-Star Team … Recorded 65 goals, 41 assists and 84 ground balls as a senior … Set career school records with 270 goals, 121 assists, 364 ground balls and 308 draw controls … Three-time team captain … Played in the 2008 National High School Girl’s Lacrosse Tournament … All-area midfielder in soccer in 2007 and 2008 … Also lettered in basketball.
