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/ Women's Lacrosse
USC Lacrosse Hires Jill Rizzo and Cassidy Spilis to Finish Out the Coaching Staff
July 08, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse
The Trojans welcome two Big Ten products to the staff, Rizzo will take over defensive and goalkeeper responsibilities, while Spilis will take control of the midfielders and the draw
LOS ANGELES - USC lacrosse has hired two new assistant coaches, Jill Rizzo - assistant coach at Marquette - and Cassidy Spilis - an All-American for Rutgers University - to complete its coaching staff, head coach Lindsey Munday announced Monday, July 8.
JILL RIZZO
"We are thrilled to welcome Jill as our defensive coordinator. She has Big Ten experience as a player at Ohio State, which will aid us in our transition to the new conference. She has helped run the defensive and goalie units at Marquette and helped them make their first NCAA tournament berth. We are extremely excited for her to bring her knowledge and experience to USC."
As a part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023, Rizzo helped lead Marquette to its first NCAA tournament appearance. During that season, the Golden Eagles posted a program-best 15-4 record and a Big East record of 5-1.
Marquette ranked in the top 10 in the nation in draw controls (297) and draw controls per game (17.47) in 2024. The offense was top 25 in the country and first in the BIG EAST with over 32 shots per game, led by Meg Bireley (8.94 shots per game) and Leigh Steiner (7.12 shots per game), who were first and second in the conference.
Rizzo joined the Golden Eagle coaching staff in June of 2021. Before that, she posted an all-time career as Ohio State's goalie from 2016-21. Rizzo was a five-year starter (COVID year in 2020) in college and saved a program-record 777 shots, which is No. 1 among current NCAA women's lacrosse players. She tallied a .469 save percentage and won 28 games as a starter in Columbus. Her 203 career ground balls also put her at No. 2 all-time among NCAA players.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity provided by Lindsey and USC Athletics to join the women's lacrosse Trojan family! I can not wait get started with the team and compete in one of the most elite conferences in the country. Fight on!"
CASSIDY SPILIS
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Cassidy to the Trojan Family, where she will work with the midfield and draw unit. Her experience in the Big Ten at Rutgers will be a tremendous help to our players and staff. She has playing experience at the highest level for Team USA as well as in the pro league. She will be a great asset to our players, and we are thrilled that she will be joining our staff."
Spilis is a three-time IWLCA All-American (2021-22, 24), including a first-team nomination in 2024. During her senior season, she posted 74 goals and five assists, picked up 40 ground balls, and had 98 draw controls.
Spilis concluded her collegiate career as Rutger's all-time leader in goals scored (266), points (281) and draw controls (313). In 2024, she finished ninth in the country for goals with 74 in 18 games played. Spilis is no stranger to an award list, as she is a four-time IWLCA All-Region, three-time USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American, and four-time Tewaaraton Award Watch List honoree. On the conference side, Spilis is a four-time All-Big Ten First Team member (2021-24), four-time All-Big Ten Tournament Team and was named the 2022 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.
In high school, Spilis was a two-time All-American, four-year varsity letter winner, and two-year captain at Seneca. She was one of the most prolific scorers in New Jersey, with 331 goals and 386 points in her career.
"I am thrilled to be joining the USC lacrosse family and to have the opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, Lindsey and the entire coaching staff. The Trojans are a strong program, and I am incredibly excited to be part of their new era as they join and flourish in the Big Ten. Fight on!"
In 2024, USC went 12-5 with a 6-1 record in the Pac-12, finishing second in the league standings. The Women of Troy fell to Colorado in the tournament semifinal to end the season. 12-year veteran Lindsey Munday earned her 150th win during the season. Ella Heaney was the first player for USC to be named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and the Trojans had seven Pac-12 All-Conference players.
For more information on the USC women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @USCTrojansLax.
JILL RIZZO
"We are thrilled to welcome Jill as our defensive coordinator. She has Big Ten experience as a player at Ohio State, which will aid us in our transition to the new conference. She has helped run the defensive and goalie units at Marquette and helped them make their first NCAA tournament berth. We are extremely excited for her to bring her knowledge and experience to USC."
As a part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023, Rizzo helped lead Marquette to its first NCAA tournament appearance. During that season, the Golden Eagles posted a program-best 15-4 record and a Big East record of 5-1.
Marquette ranked in the top 10 in the nation in draw controls (297) and draw controls per game (17.47) in 2024. The offense was top 25 in the country and first in the BIG EAST with over 32 shots per game, led by Meg Bireley (8.94 shots per game) and Leigh Steiner (7.12 shots per game), who were first and second in the conference.
Rizzo joined the Golden Eagle coaching staff in June of 2021. Before that, she posted an all-time career as Ohio State's goalie from 2016-21. Rizzo was a five-year starter (COVID year in 2020) in college and saved a program-record 777 shots, which is No. 1 among current NCAA women's lacrosse players. She tallied a .469 save percentage and won 28 games as a starter in Columbus. Her 203 career ground balls also put her at No. 2 all-time among NCAA players.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity provided by Lindsey and USC Athletics to join the women's lacrosse Trojan family! I can not wait get started with the team and compete in one of the most elite conferences in the country. Fight on!"
CASSIDY SPILIS
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Cassidy to the Trojan Family, where she will work with the midfield and draw unit. Her experience in the Big Ten at Rutgers will be a tremendous help to our players and staff. She has playing experience at the highest level for Team USA as well as in the pro league. She will be a great asset to our players, and we are thrilled that she will be joining our staff."
Spilis is a three-time IWLCA All-American (2021-22, 24), including a first-team nomination in 2024. During her senior season, she posted 74 goals and five assists, picked up 40 ground balls, and had 98 draw controls.
Spilis concluded her collegiate career as Rutger's all-time leader in goals scored (266), points (281) and draw controls (313). In 2024, she finished ninth in the country for goals with 74 in 18 games played. Spilis is no stranger to an award list, as she is a four-time IWLCA All-Region, three-time USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American, and four-time Tewaaraton Award Watch List honoree. On the conference side, Spilis is a four-time All-Big Ten First Team member (2021-24), four-time All-Big Ten Tournament Team and was named the 2022 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.
In high school, Spilis was a two-time All-American, four-year varsity letter winner, and two-year captain at Seneca. She was one of the most prolific scorers in New Jersey, with 331 goals and 386 points in her career.
"I am thrilled to be joining the USC lacrosse family and to have the opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, Lindsey and the entire coaching staff. The Trojans are a strong program, and I am incredibly excited to be part of their new era as they join and flourish in the Big Ten. Fight on!"
In 2024, USC went 12-5 with a 6-1 record in the Pac-12, finishing second in the league standings. The Women of Troy fell to Colorado in the tournament semifinal to end the season. 12-year veteran Lindsey Munday earned her 150th win during the season. Ella Heaney was the first player for USC to be named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, and the Trojans had seven Pac-12 All-Conference players.
For more information on the USC women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @USCTrojansLax.
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