Oregon’s search for a new women’s lacrosse coach is over.

The Oregon athletic department announced in a press release Wednesday afternoon that Katrina Dowd has been hired as the programs head coach. Dowd replaces former Oregon coach Jen Beck, who stepped down in May after leading the Ducks to a 120-97 record during her 12-year tenure.

“Coach Dowd has the kind of championship-caliber experience, both as a student-athlete and a coach, that will be perfect for taking University of Oregon lacrosse to the next level,” UO athletic director Rob Mullens told GoDucks.com. “Her passion and commitment to an exceptional student-athlete experience made her the right fit for Oregon lacrosse.  We’re particularly excited to see the level of skill development she brings to the team, given her elite playing career.”

Dowd, who will be the second coach in Oregon history, spent the past four seasons as the lead assistant at North Carolina. She was a key part of a Tar Heels program that won national titles in 2013 and 2016. Dowd earned first team All-American honors as a player at Northwestern as a junior in 2009 and a senior in 2010.

“I am honored and excited to become the women’s lacrosse coach at Oregon,” Dowd told GoDucks. “I want to thank Rob Mullens, Lisa Peterson and the entire Oregon athletic department for this incredible opportunity.  I would also like to thank the University of North Carolina and Jenny Levy for a phenomenal four-year experience.”

The Ducks finished the 2016 season with a 9-8 record while playing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. In 2018, the Pac-12 will add women’s lacrosse as a sports when Arizona State welcomes a program, bringing the conference to six teams; the minimum for a conference to receive an automatic NCAA bid.

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