Sept. 27, 2007

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Christy Malone has been named the third St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse coach in the program's eight-year history, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Steve Watson announced today.

Malone spent the last five seasons at Division II Philadelphia University, including the past four as the head coach. Malone replaces Tony Zostant, who resigned in August to take the head coaching position at Binghamton University.

"We are excited to have Christy joining our Bonaventure family," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Barb Questa, who headed the search. "Her enthusiasm and passion for the sport is tremendous and her experience will be a great addition to our already successful lacrosse program."

"Just from visiting St. Bonaventure I could tell that is was a special place and I'm honored to get the opportunity to join the family," Malone said. "I'm really looking forward to working with the ladies and helping build on to an already strong program."

In her four years as head coach at Philadelphia, Malone posted a 39-21 overall record and helped lead the Rams to ECAC Division II Championship last spring. Under the tutelage of Malone, the Rams made three ECAC postseason appearances, highlighted by the 2007 championship.

During her tenure at Philadelphia, Malone coached nine All-Americans or All-Region selections, including three in the 2005 season. Malone's immediate impact at Philadelphia didn't go unnoticed as she was named the coach of the 2004 Division II Senior All-Star Game at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County following her first season.

A native of Aldan, Pa., Malone earned her bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Cabrini College in 2001. As a standout goalie, Malone was a two-time Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Most Valuable Player, helping the Cavaliers to the PAC title all four years. In 2000 and 2001, Cabrini was invited to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

St. Bonaventure returns 14 players, including eight starters, from last year's squad that finished 8-7 and 5-2 mark in the Atlantic 10. The Bonnies made their third appearance in the last four seasons at the A-10 Tournament, earning the third seed.