Wray named head men’s lacrosse coach at Saint Joseph’s
8/1/2011 9:17:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Lehigh assistant men's lacrosse coach Taylor Wray has been named the new head coach at Saint Joseph's, as announced by the university on Monday. Wray leaves Lehigh following four seasons as Kevin Cassese's top assistant. He takes over the reins of a Hawks' program that just completed its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association.
“It has been an honor to have my good friend Taylor Wray on staff here at Lehigh for the last four years,” said Cassese. “He has been a key component to the overall growth of the program and I have no doubt that he will make a terrific head coach at the Division I level. I wish him all the best as he gets set to take over the lacrosse program at Saint Joseph's University.”
Cassese and Wray were college teammates and have teamed together to lead the Brown & White the past four seasons. Wray has helped guide a strong Lehigh defense which came into its own last season. The Mountain Hawks allowed only 9.4 goals per game while holding seven teams to single digits and four to seven or fewer. Lehigh also held its opponent scoreless for long stretches in 2011, including one string of six straight games with a 15+ minute scoreless stretch in each contest.
The defense went on to shut down #12 Bucknell in the first half of the Patriot League Semifinals, allowing only two first-half goals and holding the Bison off the scoreboard for 27:02 bridging the beginning of the first through the end of the second. Under Wray's guidance, the Mountain Hawks placed long pole defenseman Richard Bradley on the All-Patriot League team while fellow long pole Ty Souders was invited to try out for the United States Under-19 Team. Lehigh also garnered four Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week awards in 2011.
“While I am sad to leave a program and university I love, I am excited to take the next step in my coaching career,” said Wray. “My time at Lehigh has been the most rewarding professional experience I have ever had and I'd like to thank all of our current and former players for making it so memorable. I also want to thank Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Lehigh Athletic Department and Smith Family Head Coach Kevin Cassese for his friendship, guidance and support. I have learned a tremendous amount from Coach Cassese and am excited to watch him lead the Lehigh team to new heights in the years to come.”
Prior to his time at Lehigh, Wray was a coach at Queens University of Charlotte where his duties included recruiting, travel arrangements, practice and game preparation, scheduling, fundraising and video preparation and analysis. While at Queens, Wray also earned his master's degree in teaching.
Lehigh will conduct a national search to find a new assistant coach to fill the opening.
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Lacrosse
Thursday, April 24
2025 Season Preview: Men's Lacrosse
Friday, January 31
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Lacrosse
Wednesday, April 10
