HARRISONBURG, Va., July 17, 2008 -- James Madison University women's lacrosse coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe has announced the promotion of assistant coach Lindsay Lewis and the hiring of Meg Dentler as assistant coach.

Lewis has been promoted to first assistant coach after serving as second assistant coach for the past two years.

Lewis, who is also captain of the U.S. Developmental Team, was a two-time All-America at Boston University. She is the Terriers' all-time leading scorer.

"Lindsay has been instrumental at JMU with her ability to evaluate and sign top-level recruits," said Klaes-Bawcombe. "Her confidence on the field and in the office shows maturity well beyond her years. We are so pleased Lindsay has chosen to stay with JMU to continue working with our talented student-athletes."

Dentler comes to JMU from her alma mater, George Mason, where she has been a volunteer assistant the past three seasons. She was a two-time (2004, 2005) All-America goalkeeper at Mason and the 2005 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year.

She was a four-time All-CAA honoree, earning-first team recognition in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and second-team honors in 2002. As a freshman in 2002 she was selected the CAA Rookie of the Year.

As a senior Dentler was a team captain and selected the school's Student-Athlete of the Year.

She set school records for season (225) and career (855) saves and career saves percentage (.572).

Mason qualified for four consecutive CAA Tournaments while Dentler was the Patriots' starting goalkeeper.

"We are really excited to attract Meg from George Mason," said Klaes-Bawcombe. "She is a very experienced goalkeeping coach with a vast knowledge in that area. She will bring great technical skill and organizational qualities to our staff. Her passion for coaching lacrosse will help her impact our program quickly. She is ready and willing to help JMU compete for another CAA championship and get back to the NCAA tournament for our program's 10th time."

Dentler is a native of Crofton, Md. and a graduate of Arundel High School, where she earned All-America honors.

Lewis replaces Jessica Wilk, who resigned this spring to move to South Carolina, where her husband, Hershey Strosberg, is Clemson's head women's soccer coach.

2008-07-17