Story courtesy of Stevens Athletics

Hoboken, N.J. — After serving as interim head coach during the 2025 campaign, Maddie Buechli had the interim tag removed and was named head coach of the Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team, it was announced Tuesday.
 
Additionally, Kathleen Jaeger, who served as an assistant coach for the last two seasons, was promoted to associate head coach.
 
"I am thrilled that Maddie has moved into the head coach position on a permanent basis," Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Russell Rogers expressed. "It became more and more evident as the year went on that she was well prepared for this role. Her leadership has been incredible and the team's outstanding performance on the field was reflective of Maddie's hard work and dedication to the program. The future of Stevens Women's Lacrosse is very bright under Maddie's guidance, and I am excited to support her efforts in any way possible!"
 
"I also want to recognize and thank Karen Shaddock for her incredible tenure as head women's lacrosse coach at Stevens," Rogers continued. "She played a huge role in establishing the team where it currently stands on the national level of Division III women's lacrosse. Today's announcement marks the continuation of Karen's vison and plan for our team, and I know how proud she is of everyone who has helped make this happen."
 
Buechli guided the Ducks to their best finish in program history, advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and reaching the second weekend of the tournament for the first time. Stevens posted a 17-5 record, including a 7-0 mark in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom play, en route to capturing its fourth straight conference title. The Ducks allowed just 23 goals across seven league games and outscored their two opponents in the MAC Freedom Tournament by a combined 39-6. In the NCAA Tournament, Stevens defeated George Fox 22-3 in the first round and advanced with a 15-9 victory over in-state rival TCNJ.

"I am honored to be named the Head Coach of the Stevens Women's Lacrosse program," said Buechli. "It is a privilege to lead such a talented and dedicated group of student-athletes and I am grateful for the chance to do so. I want to thank our Athletic Director Russ Rogers for this opportunity and the support he has provided our program. I also want to thank Karen Shaddock for her passion and commitment to our program during her time as Head Coach. Her leadership laid the foundation for hard work, success, and student-athlete development — a foundation I am proud to have been part of and even prouder to carry forward. This past season was a tremendous one for our team and we look forward to building on that momentum as we continue to grow both on and off the field. Go Ducks!"

A native of Piermont, New York, Buechli originally joined the Ducks as defensive coordinator ahead of the 2022 season. Under her guidance, Stevens led the MAC Freedom in caused turnovers per game (11.95), clearing percentage (86.3%), draw control percentage (67.5%), draw controls per game (16.95), and scoring defense (6.86). The Ducks also ranked nationally in the top 25 in several categories, including second in draw control percentage, 10th in scoring defense and scoring margin, and 25th in clearing percentage.

Defender Lauren Sullivan earned her second straight All-America honor and was named MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season under Buechli's leadership.
 
In addition to her role at Stevens, Buechli serves as a head coach for the STEPS Lacrosse Club and previously coached for Prime Time Lacrosse from 2018 to 2022. She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas in 2021 with a degree in communication arts, with a focus in public relations.
 
Jaeger, who joined the coaching staff in fall 2023, has led the Ducks' offensive unit. The former TCNJ standout helped Stevens set school records with 345 goals and 190 assists. The Ducks ranked 22nd nationally in scoring offense (15.68 goals per game) and 14th in shots on goal per game (15.45). Five student-athletes recorded 55 or more points, led by MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Year Emily Leiby, who tallied 92. Stefanie Sellitto, the MAC Freedom Midfielder of the Year, set the school's all-time draw control record and tied her own single-season mark with 165. Both Sellitto and Leiby joined Sullivan as All-Americans, with Jaeger guiding Sellitto to her second straight selection.
 
"Kathleen is well deserving of the associate head coach position," Rogers said. "The role she played over the last year in mentoring our student-athletes and bringing out the best in them was invaluable. Her background and knowledge of the game is a huge asset for our program, and we are extremely fortunate to have her on staff. I look forward to working with Kathleen in 25-26!"
 
A native of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, Jaeger was a three-sport athlete at TCNJ, competing in cross country, indoor track and field, and lacrosse. She earned All-America honors in both lacrosse and track. On the field, she tallied 167 goals and 43 assists across 74 career games, including a standout junior season in which she netted 55 goals and added 16 assists, earning second-team All-America honors from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association. On the track, she collected a pair of All-America honors in the 800 meters, finishing seventh at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships in both 2016 and 2018.
 
"I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the continued support from Stevens," Jaeger said. "Maddie and I make a great team, and I'm thrilled to keep building on the momentum we created last year. I can't wait to get to work with our team this fall and keep working toward even bigger goals!