POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Potsdam Women's Lacrosse Coach Lauren Bruce has announced the appointment of Amanda Smith as the Bears' assistant coach for the 2012 season.

“I'm excited to have such a high-energy addition to the staff,” said Bruce. “Amanda is fresh off the playing field so her knowledge of the game is current. As a Division II athlete, she's seen a different level of competition and I think she can raise our level of play as well.”

Smith graduated from Pfeiffer University in May, where she was a four-year member of the Falcons women's lacrosse team. Last spring Smith, Pfeiffer's team captain, was named an All-American, All-Conference, and played in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association North-South Game. Smith is also the Falcons all-time leader in caused turnovers. As a sophomore she traveled to the Czech Republic to play in the Women's Lacrosse Prague Cup.

While Bruce says Smith will help at both ends of the field, her specialty will continue to be defense. 

“With Amanda's defensive background we'll create more strategies and new looks on defense,” Bruce said. “Lacrosse's latest rule changes will challenge everyone defensively, so Amanda's arrival is very good timing.”

Prior to Potsdam, Smith served as an assistant at Lumber Jill's Lacrosse Clinic and for the Hagerstown Area YMCA Lacrosse Association.
Smith, a Liverpool, N.Y. native, holds a bachelor's degree in biology.