Grace Goodman
Owner &Â Director of MACLAX
Coach Goodman's love for the sport of lacrosse started back in her hometown of Sayville, NY. She is a Limestone College Alumni, where she played four years as a defender at the DII level, and went to the Final Four three of her four years. Coach Goodman has over 16 years of coaching experience. She was an Assistant Coach for the varsity girls lacrosse program at Babylon High School on Long Island, NY, and coached multiple teams for the Long Island Yellow Jackets. After relocating to Georgia in 2014, Coach Goodman joined South Forsyth High School’s coaching staff before transitioning to her current role of Community Coach at Lambert High School.
Coach Goodman founded MACLAX in 2018 to give all female athletes an opportunity to play and grow their love for girls lacrosse. The community and family atmosphere is so important to her, and she is dedicated to developing skills and love for the game in all of her players. Coach Goodman coaches the 24/25 Blue team and 26 Blue team.
Outside of lacrosse, Coach Goodman enjoys working out, going to the beach, and spending time with her friends and family, husband Riggs, children Riggsy and Joanie, and dog, Finn.
Megan Smith
Recruiting Coordinator
Megan Smith is originally from Marietta, GA. She is in her 4th year as coach at Lee University. She also coaches with Georgia FCA. Megan played four years at Limestone College, where she was a captain and played in the 2013 National
Championship. She is the IWLCA Service Award Recipient 2021. Previously, she has worked as Assistant Coach at Limestone College, Head Coach at Converse College, and Assistant Coach at Chowan University.
Matt Lawler
Assistant Director & Coach
Coach Matt is a Cumming, GA native and has been coaching lacrosse since 2009 when he started at the U9 level. He served as the JV Head Coach at Lambert High School in 2014 and later transitioned to a Community Coach for the varsity team. Coach Matt helped Lambert to their first GHSA playoff appearance in 2015 and again helped guide the Longhorns to the State Semifinals in 2017. With over 13 years of coaching experience, Coach Matt is a Level 3 Certified Coach and has an incredible passion for the game, the players, and the MACLAX program. Outside of lacrosse, he enjoys playing golf, going to concerts, and sporting events.
Coach Matt has been with MACLAX since the program’s inception and has coached alongside Coach Goodman since 2018. He coaches the 24/25 Blue team and 26 Blue team.
Travis Church
Coach
Travis Church is originally from Farmington, CT. He has been the Head Coach for the girls lacrosse program at Lambert High School for the last 11 years. Coach Church has helped lead the Longhorns to four straight playoff appearances, including two Elite 8 finishes. He has coached girls who have gone on to play at all three NCAA levels, including three DI players from Lambert. He attended UCONN, where he played midfield for the Men’s Lacrosse Program, and earned MVP honors his senior year. Outside of lacrosse, Coach Church enjoys golfing, cooking, and spending time at the beach/pool with his wife, Kimberlee. He is expecting his first child in August!
Coach Church has been a MACLAX coach since the program's inception 5 years ago! He loves working with our MACLAX youth teams to help foster the love for the sport of lacrosse in our rising players!
OUR COACHES
Get to know the dedicated coaches and passionate staff behind MACLAX. All teams will be coached by current High School coaches and assisted by collegiate players! We’re fortunate enough to be working with the best in the industry.
Andrea Braun
Coach
Andrea is originally from Minden, LA. Coach Braun has been coaching girls lacrosse for 16 years. She is currently the Head Coach at Georgia Tech, and a community coach at Greater Atlanta Christian School. She was the recipient of the Southeast Womens’ lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award in 2022, Gwinnett GHSA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017, 2021, and 2022, Georgia Lacrosse Woman of the Year in 2019, and inducted into the Georgia Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2021. Outside of lacrosse, Coach Braun enjoys reading, painting, sewing, cheering for her LSU tigers, and spending time with her husband, Jim, and children, Christian, Coleman, and Carolyn.
Coach Braun has been coaching with MACLAX for two years, and loves working with strong women who empower her to be the best coach she can be! She will be coaching our 24/25 Red team.
Jessi Alderdice
Coach
Jessi is a Cumming, GA native. She is currently the Head Coach of the girls lacrosse program at Peachtree Ridge High School with 10 years of coaching experience. Coach Alderdice is a Kennesaw State University Women’s Lacrosse Alumni, as well as a South Forsyth High School Alumni. She played midfield and attack and was a proud member of the first Women’s DI Lacrosse Program at KSU in the state of Georgia. Coach Alderdice also played internationally with USAAI in Germany and Czech Republic. Outside of lacrosse, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, spending time on the lake, playing disc golf with friends, relaxing, and reading.
Coach Alderdice has been coaching with MACLAX for three years. She loves the community and getting to coach alongside former MACLAX players. Coach Alderdice will be coaching HS White.
Leigh Anne Turner
Coach
Leigh Anne Turner is originally from Whitesburg, GA. She is currently the Head Coach of the girls lacrosse program at Denmark High School, and entering her second year as a lacrosse coach. Coach Turner attended Young Harris University, where she played attack at the DII level for 5 years. During her time at YH, she was recognized as an All-Gulf South Conference Player in 2019, and the recipient of the Mountain Lion Award from 2018-2021. Outside of lacrosse, Coach Turner runs a photography/videography company, Good Day Media.
This is her first year coaching with MACLAX, and she couldn’t be more excited to work with MS Blue Team!
Audrey Dutton
Coach
Audrey is a Lawrenceville, GA native. She is currently a senior captain at Lee University where she plays midfield and defense for the Flames. Coach Dutton has been playing lacrosse for 12 years and has been a team captain at Lee University since sophomore year. Outside of lacrosse she enjoys going to the lake, reading, and spending time with family!
Coach Dutton loves the energetic atmosphere of MACLAX from coaches, players, and parents alike. She enjoys working towards a common goal of growing the love of lacrosse and cherishes the relationships she builds through our program. Coach Dutton is entering her second season as coach of our MS 2030 team.
Hannah Vecsey
Assistant Coach
Coming soon...
Hadley Bates
Assistant Coach
Hadley is a Suwanee, GA native and a Lambert High School Alumni. She has played midfield for the Longhorns for 4 years, and was named MVP in 2022. Hadley is currently a sophomore at the University of Tennessee. Outside of lacrosse, she enjoys working out, cooking, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends!
Hadley is a MACLAX alumni and loves seeing players improve while having fun! She has been coaching with MACLAX for two years and will be assisting Coach Goodman and Coach Matt with our 26 Blue team.
Ellie Kotanian
Assistant Coach
Ellie is a Suwanee, GA native and Lambert High School Alumni. Ellie was team captain for the Longhorns for the 2022 & 2023 seasons. She received recognitions of Second Team All-State in 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, as well Second Team All-County in 2021, and First Team All-County in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Ellie was named Longhorns Offensive MVP for three consecutive years. Ellie will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall. Outside of lacrosse, Ellie loves going to the lake and wake surfing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Ellie is a MACLAX alumni and has been coaching with MACLAX for two years. She loves the supportive community and enjoys working with our younger players! Ellie will be assisting Coach Goodman and Coach Matt with our 26 Blue team.
Kennedy Dean
Assistant Coach
Kennedy Dean is a Cumming, GA native. She is a Lambert High School Alumni, where she played for the Longhorns for 4 years. She led the Longhorns in caused turnovers in a single season and is a career record holder. She has earned recognitions of First Team All- County, Second Team All- County, All-State, Defensive MVP, and the Longhorn Award. Kennedy will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall. Outside of lacrosse, she enjoys reading and spending time outside or at the lake with her family and friends!
Kennedy is a MACLAX alumni and is entering her first year as a MACLAX coach. She has loved the atmosphere as a player for years and loves sharing the experience with younger players as a coach! Kennedy will be assisting Coach Church with our Youth teams.
Caitlyn Race
Assistant Coach
Caitlyn is a Johns Creek, GA native. She has been playing lacrosse for 12 years and is a rising sophomore defender at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Caitlyn is a Chattahoochee High School Alumni where she was Defensive MVP and Life Teammate Scholarship Awardee. Outside of lacrosse, Caitlyn loves baking and cooking, making art, and spending time with family and friends.
This is Caitlyn’s first year coaching with MACLAX and is loving being able to share her love for lacrosse and helping players get better while having fun. She will be assisting Coach Turner with our MS Blue team.
Emily Flynt
Assistant Coach
Emily is from Augusta, GA. She is a senior midfielder at Young Harris, where she serves as team captain and is a scholar athlete. She has been playing lacrosse for 10 years. Outside of lacrosse, Emily enjoys working out and running, spending time with her friends and family, going to the lake, playing guitar, shopping, and reading.
Emily has been coaching with MACLAX for two years, and loves the community of coaches and players. She will be assisting Coach Braun with our 24/25 Red team.
Gabby DiVirgilio
Assistant Coach
Gabby is a Gainesville, GA native. She is entering her senior year at Mercer where she plays attack and has won three Conference Championships; two Big South, and one SoCon. Gabby has made three DI NCAA appearances, tallied 37 goals and 6 assists, had 6 consecutive hat tricks and went 13/13 on 8 meter goals in the 2023 season. She is a Lambert High School Alumni, where she was a 4-year varsity lacrosse starter and 2020 team captain. She was a two-time All-State Selection, All-County Selection, and Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Gabby set the stat record for goals in a single season with 89 goals in 2019. Outside of lacrosse, Gabby enjoys playing pickleball and beach volleyball.
Gabby is a MACLAX Alumni and has returned as a coach for the last 4 years. She loves the family culture and environment of sharing the love of lacrosse at MACLAX and calls us her second family. Gabby will be assisting Coach Lawler and Coach Goodman with 24/25 Blue.
Kayla Casey
Assistant Coach
Kayla Casey is a Cumming, GA native. She is currently a Goalie for the Women’s Lacrosse team at Mercer University. Kayla has been playing lacrosse for 12 years. She is a South Forsyth Girls Lacrosse alumni, where she earned recognitions of Forsyth County Player of the Year in 2020 and South Forsyth Lacrosse MVP in 2019. She was also an Under Armour All-American in 2018, a four- time all-region selection, three-time all-state selection, and earned the GA Positive Athlete Award.
Kayla has been coaching with MACLAX for three years, and loves the atmosphere and positive experience of being part of our program. She will be assisting Coach Alderdice with HS White.
