The 2027 season marks Heather (Greer) McKay's 20th season at the helm of the Messiah women's lacrosse program, a role she began in 2008.
COACHING INSIGHTS OVER THE YEARS
- 12Â NCAA Tournament Appearances
- Seven Conference Championships
- 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
- Division III Metro Region Coach of the Year by IWLCA
- Nine-time Conference Coach of the Year
- 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2025, 2026
- Coached Six MAC Scholar-Athletes of the Year
- Rachel Dirksen (2012), Lizzy Keeney (2014), Molley Devilbiss (2015), Brooke Gamble (2017), Rachel Delate (2023), Hagg (2025)
- Coached 12Â Conference Players of the Year
- Emily Mumford (2014), Brooke Gamble (2015), Alexa Dipeso (2017), Kendra Herbenar (2018), Rachel Delate (2021 & 2023), Grace Gormley (2023), Emma Hagg (2024 & 2025), Grace Pettitt (2025 & 2026),  Grace Hejeebu (2026)
- Coached 10Â Conference Rookies of the Year
- Kara Geiman (2008), Rachel Dirksen (2009), Maddie Comfort (2010), Lizzy Keeney (2011), Claire Stikeleather (2013), Brooke Gamble (2014), Courtney Wagner (2016), Rachel Delate (2021), Emma Hagg (2022), Grace Pettitt (2024)
- Coached 53Â IWLCA All-Region (Metro) Honors
- Coached 20Â IWLCA All-Americans
COACHING BIO
A 2002 graduate of Messiah University, McKay took over the program in 2008 following a brilliant playing career for the Falcons, serving as a four-year starter at the midfield/attack position. Highly regarded for her presence as an athlete and leader, McKay was team captain as a senior and led the team’s offensive front. Her 169 total points placed her top three on Messiah’s career points list at the time. However, many of her own players have eclipsed that total in recent years.
McKay also was a three-time MAC All-Conference selection and a four-time member of the MAC Conference All-Academic Team during her career.
After graduating from Messiah, McKay traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland as part of the English Lacrosse Association. While living overseas McKay played for Home Scotland and also was the coach and director of lacrosse at Fettes College. She also coached with the Scotland National U-19 team, helping them to the 2003 World Championships hosted in Baltimore, Maryland.Â
Upon her return to the States, McKay was the assistant coach at Randolph-Macon College while earning a master’s degree in sports leadership/athletic administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
McKay was also selected to coach the South team in the 2011, 2016, and 2024 IWLCA North-South games, with her 2011 appearance being the first-ever for a Messiah coach.
A Boston-area native, McKay currently resides in Harrisburg, Pa.
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COACHING BY SEASON
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
| Season |
Overall Record |
Conference Record |
Finish |
NCAA Appearance |
| 2008 |
10-7 |
6-2 |
Semifinals |
--- |
| 2009 |
14-5 |
10-1 |
Champion |
First Round |
| 2010 |
13-4 |
11-1 |
Semifinals |
--- |
| 2011 |
18-2 |
12-0 |
Champion |
Regional Semifinal |
| 2012 |
16-4 |
6-0 |
Runner-Up |
Regional Semifinal |
| 2013 |
10-7 |
7-1 |
Semifinals |
--- |
| 2014 |
11-7 |
6-1 |
Runner-Up |
--- |
| 2015 |
14-5 |
8-0 |
Champion |
Second Round |
| 2016 |
14-6 |
8-0 |
Champion |
Second Round |
| 2017 |
16-3 |
8-0 |
Champion |
Regional Semifinal |
| 2018 |
15-4 |
8-0 |
Champion |
First Round |
| 2019 |
6-12 |
6-2 |
Semifinals |
--- |
| 2020 |
4-2 |
0-0 |
No Postseason |
--- |
| 2021 |
18-1 |
8-0 |
Champion |
Regional Final |
| 2022 |
13-6 |
7-1 |
Semifinals |
Second Round |
| 2023 |
16-4 |
7-1 |
Runner-Up |
Second Round |
| 2024 |
8-10 |
6-1 |
Semifinals |
--- |
| 2025 |
14-6 |
6-1 |
Semifinals |
Second Round |
| 2026 |
15-6 |
7-0 |
Runner-Up |
Second Round |
| Seasons: 19 |
245-101 |
137-12 |
7 Championships |
12Â Appearances |
Last Updated: 06/09/26