Three women’s lacrosse alumni have accepted positions for the Moon High School varsity women’s lacrosse coaching staff. Mackenzie Bell ’24, Haley Mojsej ’24 and Julia Koterwas ’24 were hired as coaches over the past month.
Bell was named head coach of the program on Dec. 10, while Koterwas and Mojsej were named assistant coaches over the past week.
“After graduation, I knew i wanted to coach for a local high school and continue to spread lacrosse around the area,” Bell said. “I was approached by a few parents and players of Moon High school saying they were looking for a new coaching staff for this year and thought it would be a great opportunity!”
Bell was named MAC All-Conference First Team twice in her collegiate and apart of both Colonial squads to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2024.
She has been involved with the Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse Club in her time in the area. Former Colonial coach Katrina Silva is the Director of Player Development & Co-Owner of the club.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to bring a new light of lacrosse to Moon High school and cannot wait for the season to start,” Bell said. “After playing collegiately for 4 years, the next step and only option was to coach and be able to facilitate the and give the love of the game to the next generation that was given to me!”
She hired her teammates Mosjej and Koterwas not only because they were former teammates for the past four years, but because they are specialists in their respective fields and having the same passion for the game. That was her goal when planning on her staff.
“Haley and Julia are going to be great fits as my assistants,” Bell said. “We all balance each other out very well and bring all the necessary knowledge of the game together as a unit. Haley has a background in defense, playing as a defensive midfielder in her time at Robert Morris, while Julia brings the offensive mind to the team as being an attacker.”
Mosjej, along with Bell has worked at Pittsburgh Premier Lacrosse Club for two years as well as an assistance coach at her alma mater, Hilton High School, in Rochester, NY.
Koterwas has gained coaching experiences in local area as well, working with the Mt. Lebonon Youth League as well as as other volunteering. She had 71 goals and 45 assists in her five years at Robert Morris.
She played in 58 games as a Colonial with three goals, three assists and 28 ground balls in her career.
With Courtney Grove’s coaching tree expanding three branches overnight, who knows? Maybe some Tigers may become future Colonials just across the street.
