First-time head coach Lauren Kahn takes on a new challenge in her career as she leads the Iona College lacrosse team into the beginning of the season.

Kahn was signed by Iona in September to help lead the Gaels using her breadth of experience in the lacrosse world. Kahn played at the college level for the University of Connecticut and at the professional level for the Philadelphia Fire in the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League and the Boston Storm in the United Women’s Lacrosse League. Kahn was also the recruiting coordinator for Columbia University.

Implementing her style of play has been a challenge but has resulted in an energetic team ready to play great lacrosse.

“They’ve showed up every single day and have worked hard,” Kahn said. “It’s been awesome and them coming in right away and working hard has been huge.”

The Gaels came back from winter break as fit as ever, ready to practice as much as possible to perform at the top of their game. With that hurdle out of the way, Kahn hopes to work to get the players’ ability on the ball back in form.

The talent across the team makes it difficult for Kahn to pick starting line ups from game to game, a problem that the head coach would rather have than many other problems. With that in mind, Kahn aims to complete her goal of putting the lacrosse program on the map.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is one of the most competitive conferences in the college lacrosse world. The high level of competition is something that can be an advantage or disadvantage to the Gaels. Kahn aims to help the players believe it is an advantage for them.

“You could show up to every game and win every single game,” Kahn said. “That’s been the biggest thing for me, just getting that across to them, that this is a winning team and this will be a winning culture in the future.”