Women's Lacrosse
Caitlin Defliese Watkins
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- cdeflies@syr.edu
Caitlin Defliese Watkins joined the Orange staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2016. She came to Syracuse after spending the last five years as associate head coach at Stony Brook.
Defliese Watkins has led the Orange to five IWLCAÂ All-America distinctions by defenders, including Sarah Cooper being named a First Team selection in 2021 and Katie Goodale in 2024. She also developed Cooper into the ACC's Freshman of the Year in 2019.
Syracuse held its opponents to 10 or less goals 13 times in 2023 and ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring defense (9.57). The Orange ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense in 2021 (9.95) and led the nation in shortened 2020 campaign (7.00). The 2024 season was another strong one for the Orange defense, holding foes to just 9.68 goals per game and reached the NCAA Tournament Semifinals.
The Orange defense was among the nation's best under the guidance of Defliese Watkins in 2026, holding opponents to just 8.1 goals per game all while having played one of the nation's toughest schedules. In 2025, Izzy Lahah and Coco Vandiver combined for 105 caused turnovers, the most in a single season by a pair of Orange defenders. Vandiver was named an IWLCA All-America Third Team selection.
Â
Defliese Watkins served as Stony Brook’s defensive coordinator, leading one of the top defenses in the nation. In 2016, the Seawolves ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (6.1 gpg) and fourth in scoring margin (7.33). Goalkeeper Anna Tesoriero was second in the country with a 6.07 goals-against average. During her time at Stony Brook, Defliese mentored two All-Americans, two all-region honorees and seven all-conference selections.
Â
A four-year letterwinner at Boston University, Defliese Watkins earned a spot on the All-America East Second Team in 2010 after being named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team in 2007 after recording 13 caused turnovers, 23 draw controls and 21 ground balls. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health and rehabilitation from Boston University in 2010.
Â
Defliese Watkins has led the Orange to five IWLCAÂ All-America distinctions by defenders, including Sarah Cooper being named a First Team selection in 2021 and Katie Goodale in 2024. She also developed Cooper into the ACC's Freshman of the Year in 2019.
Syracuse held its opponents to 10 or less goals 13 times in 2023 and ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring defense (9.57). The Orange ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense in 2021 (9.95) and led the nation in shortened 2020 campaign (7.00). The 2024 season was another strong one for the Orange defense, holding foes to just 9.68 goals per game and reached the NCAA Tournament Semifinals.
The Orange defense was among the nation's best under the guidance of Defliese Watkins in 2026, holding opponents to just 8.1 goals per game all while having played one of the nation's toughest schedules. In 2025, Izzy Lahah and Coco Vandiver combined for 105 caused turnovers, the most in a single season by a pair of Orange defenders. Vandiver was named an IWLCA All-America Third Team selection.
Â
Defliese Watkins served as Stony Brook’s defensive coordinator, leading one of the top defenses in the nation. In 2016, the Seawolves ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (6.1 gpg) and fourth in scoring margin (7.33). Goalkeeper Anna Tesoriero was second in the country with a 6.07 goals-against average. During her time at Stony Brook, Defliese mentored two All-Americans, two all-region honorees and seven all-conference selections.
Â
A four-year letterwinner at Boston University, Defliese Watkins earned a spot on the All-America East Second Team in 2010 after being named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team in 2007 after recording 13 caused turnovers, 23 draw controls and 21 ground balls. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health and rehabilitation from Boston University in 2010.
Â
Sunday, May 10
Sunday, May 10
Saturday, May 09
Saturday, May 09
