American University Director of Athletics Billy Walker announced the hiring of Jenna Petrucelli as AU's lacrosse head coach in July, 2018.
Petrucelli is the eighth head coach in AU lacrosse history and brought with her a wealth of experience as both a coach and player. She arrived at American from the University of Cincinnati, where she spent a year as an assistant coach and helped lead the team to program records in single-season wins, goals, assists and points.
It's a return to the Patriot League for Petrucelli after she spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Bucknell (2016-17). During those two years, Petrucelli made a substantial impact on the Bison’s program as she helped guide Bucknell to a 10-8 record in her first season after ending at 2-15 the year prior. The Bison also made their first two Patriot League tournaments in seven years with Petrucelli on the sideline.
As the offensive, midfield, and draw-control coordinator, Petrucelli aided Bucknell’s rise to the top of the Patriot League, as the team closed with No. 1 rankings in goals per game, assists per game, and points per game. In the midfield, Petrucelli’s players were also listed among the best in the PL and NCAA in draw controls including a top-20 individual performer in the NCAA in 2016 with Gretchen Richter.
Petrucelli also served as the team’s academic advisor and recruiting coordinator while at Bucknell.
Prior to her time in Lewisburg, Petrucelli worked as a head coach on the NCAA Division III level at Rosemont College, where she led the Ravens to a program record for single-season wins. She also mentored Kerry Hars to the program’s first all-conference honor, along with a school record and a national ranking for draw controls.
Petrucelli graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2014 with a degree in psychology. Selected as a First Team All-American by the IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association) during her senior season, she was also a two-time IWLCA All-Region First Team (2013-14), two-time VaSID All-State First Team (2013-14), an all-conference first team (2014) pick and was voted as the 2014 Division III Virginia State Player of the Year and Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
By the end her career, she ranked sixth in program history for career goals (170) and 13th in points (189). She was ranked as the #1 impact player in the country for Division III by LaxPower.com during her senior season after she ranked sixth in the country with 74 goals and broke the program record with 84 draw controls.
Petrucelli grew up in Crandbury, N.J., and continued her education at the University of Florida, where she earned her master’s in sport management in 2018.
