Phil Barnes Named IWLCA Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina women's lacrosse assistant coach and director of recruiting Phil Barnes has been named the 2022 NCAA Division I Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, as announced by the organization on Monday.

The annual award recognizes an assistant coach from each of the three divisions who has made a distinct impact on the success of their program through hard work, commitment, dedication and sportsmanship. This is the second such honor for Barnes, who also earned the accolade in 2012.

"I am so thankful to the IWLCA and my fellow coaches for selecting me for this award," said Barnes. "I wish to express my gratitude for working with an amazing group of women. I also would like to thank the student-athletes who made this possible. It is an honor and privilege to have coached them this past season."

Barnes, who has served as the assistant coach for the Tar Heels since 2004, works with UNC's defense and goalkeepers while also spearheading the program's recruiting efforts. He helped lead Carolina, which finished atop the ILWomen/IWLCA poll, to a perfect 22-0 record in 2022 en route to its third national title in program history.

Under his guidance, All-America selections Emma Trenchard and Ally Mastroianni were tabbed the IWLCA Defender and Midfielder of the Year, respectively, this past season. Trenchard and Mastroianni earned Atlantic Coast Conference Defender and Midfielder of the Year honors as well.

Mastroianni, along with attacker Jamie Ortega, were both finalists for the prestigious Tewaaraton Award. Ortega (No. 1), Trenchard (No. 3), goalkeeper Taylor Moreno (No. 5) and Mastroianni (No. 8) were all selected in the Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse professional league draft following UNC's historic season.

"Phil has impacted our program with his tireless work ethic and his commitment to developing our players as people and athletes," said UNC head coach Jenny Levy. "His keen eye for detail helps our athletes develop into great players. He treats every player fairly and is committed to coaching every individual on the roster."

Now entering his 19th year in Chapel Hill, Barnes has been instrumental in 10 NCAA semifinal and five championship game appearances. He has helped produce 42 All-America honorees and 47 All-ACC selections in addition to four goalkeepers of the year and four defenders and of the year.

Rachel Ward of East Stroudsburg University earned the award for DII and Middlebury College's Amy Patton was the DIII recipient.

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Phil Barnes Named IWLCA Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year

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