Fairleigh Dickinson University is expanding its athletic department to now include women’s lacrosse.

Jessica Pandolf knows how to take on a challenge. The former top player in Division 2 lacrosse is set to become the first women’s head coach at the university.

“Being the first ever is big shoes to fill, I guess, that I need to fill myself. But it’s really exciting,” she says.

The Holbrook, New York native says she will build a Division 1 program that is set to begin competition in the spring of 2023.

“The fact that it’s a start-up program, I think it’s really amazing that I can start something and I can implement what I want from the job,” Pandolf says.

Following a successful playing career at Lock Haven University, Pandolf spent the last few years coaching at both LIU-Brooklyn and Stetson University. She says that she will mainly focus on recruiting over the next year.

“I just want to make sure that I am taking my time and I’m not rushing so much into it, because I think I’m going to feel like I have to get this roster going. I want to make sure that I’m getting the right fit,” she says.

With New Jersey being a high school lacrosse hotbed, Pandolf says that she hopes to attract local talent by building a winning culture and providing life experience.

I want them to come out of FDU feeling like, ‘Wow, that was the best experience of my life and I gained so many friendships and I value those friendships and going into the workforce I've learned so much with leadership,’” Pandolf says.

FDU will compete in the Northeast Conference as the leagues' ninth women's lacrosse member.