Sparkill, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Athletics Department and Director of Athletics Margaret Alaimo have announced the hiring of Miranda Lopes as the Spartans new Women's Lacrosse Head Coach.

Lopes arrives in Sparkill with a wealth of coaching, training and playing experience on the lacrosse field.

"We would like to thank Coach Genesis Pacheco for her commitment to the STAC Women's Lacrosse program over the past four seasons," stated Alaimo. "We are glad that Genesis will continue to serve as our Head Field Hockey Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Success."

"Our staff is happy to welcome Miranda to St. Thomas Aquinas and our Spartan family. Her passion for student-athlete development and vision for the program make her a great fit. We are excited about the future of our women's lacrosse squad!"

Coach Lopes' talents have taken her to the House of Sports training and playing facility in Ardsley, New York, where she currently serves as a True Lacrosse Girls Coach, along with House of Sports Training Academy Director and Coach.
 
Lopes' collegiate playing career spanned five years (2021-25) at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors and was ranked fifth in both saves per game and total saves among NCAA Division I goalkeepers in 2023. In addition to her lacrosse career at Lakeland High School, Lopes also won the 2017 New York State Class B Championship as a member of the field hockey team.

Lopes graduated from Marist University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Global Studies, while also minoring in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. The Mahopac, New York native is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Childhood Education program at nearby Mercy University.

"I would like to thank Athletic Director Margaret Alaimo for the opportunity to lead the women's lacrosse program, along with the entire athletic department for the warm welcome into the STAC family," said Lopes. "I'm excited to build this program, invest in our student-athletes and contribute to the continued success of the team"