KINGS POINT, N.Y. — Maegan Meritz earned All-America East honors three times while appearing in 82 games as a defender during her Stony Brook women's lacrosse career. She also was named a 2015 IWLCA All-American as well as the America East Defensive Player of the Year that season.
And her teams earned America East titles all four years she competed with the Seawolves.
A Farmingdale native, Meritz since has become one of the many student-athletes who played for Stony Brook head coach
Joe Spallina and then achieved a coaching career of her own.
She joined the United States Merchant Marine Academy as a women's lacrosse assistant coach shortly after graduating from Stony Brook with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 2016. The team improved to 8-6, from 1-11, her first season and had an undefeated regular season and Skyline Conference postseason title in 2019.
"I wasn't sure my exact career path post-college, and had been coaching kindergarten through 12th grade for a while before that," Meritz said. "I enjoyed sports my whole life and wanted to continue in that direction, so coaching was the right path for me. My academic advisor at the time,
Lauren Aksionoff, recommended I apply for the job at USMMA. After a few interviews, I ended up getting it. Coaching at the Division III level is different, but I enjoy it a ton."
Said Aksionoff: "Maegan's passion for lacrosse has always been evident. Not only is Maegan knowledgeable about the game, she is also communicative, energetic and personable — attributes that are marketable, and particularly beneficial, in the coaching field. As Maegan was preparing to graduate and research job opportunities, she and I discussed pursuing a career in coaching. I was happy to assist in bridging the connection between Maegan and USMMA. It has been awesome to see Maegan and the program succeed."
Several of Meritz's Stony Brook teammates also have gone on to coach college lacrosse, including Frankie Caridi (Adelphi), Alyssa Guido (SUNY Maritime),
Sabrina Tabasso (Stockton University), Dorrien Van Dyke (Arizona State) and Kristin Yevoli (Molloy) as well as Jessica Volpe at Harborfields High School.
"Maegan came to us with something to prove, and she did just that, leading our team as a lockdown defender," Spallina said. "It's incredible to see the job she is doing as a coach."
Said Meritz: "I think after playing for so long at a high level and being an athlete their entire lives, it prompts athletes to want to continue within that field. Personally, knowing so much about the game from playing makes it easy to teach. Being able to give direction from an outside perspective also is very helpful rather than being on the field."
Meritz has little hesitation in citing her fondest memories from her Stony Brook playing career.
"My favorite personal accomplishment had to be becoming an All-American after my junior year," she said. "That's pretty much the highest award, besides the Tewaaraton, that a majority of women's lacrosse players aim to achieve. Becoming one solidified all of the hard work I had to put in for the three years I had played at Stony Brook at the time.
"My favorite team accomplishment was winning the America East for four straight years. Although we faced a hard time in the NCAA Tournament each year, we still had the conference wins under our belts."
