BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb bolstered its women's lacrosse staff on Monday as head coach Jessie Aguglia announced the addition of former standout Maddie Martin as assistant coach. A team captain and all-Big South first team selection for the Runnin' Bulldogs this past season, Martin returns to Boiling Springs after helping lead Gardner-Webb to its best finish in program history prior to graduating this past May.

A student-athlete for the Runnin' Bulldogs from 2018-22, Martin played in 56 career games and made 28 starts, including all 19 games during her final season that saw Gardner-Webb win 10 games and advance to the Big South Championship semifinals for the first time in team history.

"We are very excited to strengthen our staff by bringing Maddie on board," said Aguglia. "She was a vital piece of our recent success on the field and has been a key member of our team for the last five years. As a team captain last year, her transition to a coaching role will be a big asset that will allow her to make an immediate impact."  

A native of Warrenton, Virginia, Martin holds the school record for career draw controls (268) and ranks fourth all-time in both ground balls (106) and caused turnovers (52). A midfielder for the first four years as a Runnin' Bulldog before transitioning to a starting defensive role, she holds the top three draw control records at Gardner-Webb for a single season, highlighted by a program-high 121 in 2022, the fourth most in a single season all-time in the Big South. Her final season in red and black also included personal bests in ground balls (53) and caused turnovers (23) punctuated by a 15-14 triumph over Campbell in the conference tournament.

"I'm beyond grateful, and I can't thank Coach Aguglia enough for allowing me the opportunity to continue to work with the team that has meant so much to me for so many years," said Martin. "The program has come such a long way under the guidance of Coach Aguglia and Coach Leigh Anne Olson during my time at Gardner-Webb, and it's an honor to have the chance to continue to learn from them and positively contribute towards our goal to build on the momentum from last season."

Martin became the first player in program history to earn Big South Defensive Player of the Week twice in a single season when she did so this past season. Her 6.35 ground balls per game during the 2022 regular season also ranked as the highest average of any player among the 10 Big South lacrosse schools. 

Martin, who attended Fauquier High School in Virginia, majored in sport management at Gardner-Webb with minors in both criminal justice and psychology. She graduated in May 2022.