Nadine Hadnagy wrapped up her fourth season as an assistant coach at the University of Florida at the conclusion of the 2021 campaign and will continue to work with the defense.
A 2017 graduate of the University of Maryland, Hadnagy was a two-time IWLCA All-American, and a three-time national champion during her playing career.
In the 2021 season, the Gators went 18-3 overall – just one win off the program record. Florida claimed both the American Athletic Conference regular season championship and the tournament championship while finishing 10-0 in the league for the team’s eighth undefeated conference season. The AAC regular season championship was Florida’s 10th-straight, while the tournament championship was the team’s seventh-straight and eighth overall. The team made its 10th-consecutive NCAA Tournament, earning hosting rights in the first and second round after notching the sixth-overall seed. Florida made its sixth NCAA Quarterfinal and first since the 2018 season. Under Hadnagy’s tutelage, the Gators finished the season ranked in the Top-10 nationally in the following categories: scoring margin (1st, 9.90), scoring defense (2nd, 7.00), saves percentage (3rd, .529), scoring offense (3rd, 16.90), shot percentage (3rd, .509), fewest turnovers per game (3rd, 11.29), points per game (5th, 24.76), free position percentage (5th, .550), clearing percentage (7th, .919) and assists per game (9th, 7.86). Four Gators earned IWLCA All-America status (Shannon Kavanagh – First Team; Sarah Reznick and Cara Trombetta – Second Team; Grace Haus – Third Team), while all four and Kaitlyn Dabkowski were named IWLCA All-Region honorees. The Gators racked up an astounding 10 All-Conference selections, including six First Teamers, while also sweeping the major awards: Grace Haus (AAC Attacker of the Year), Shannon Kavanagh (Midfielder of the Year), Cara Trombetta (Defender of the Year), Sarah Reznick (Goalkeeper of the Year), Danielle Pavinelli (Freshman of the Year) and Hadnagy, along with O’Leary and VanThof were named Coaching Staff of the Year. Three Gators were named to the Tewaaraton Watch List – Kavanagh, Reznick, Trombetta – and both Kavanagh and Trombetta earned a spot as Top-25 Nominees.
In the shortened 2020 season, the Gators went 6-2 overall. Those six wins included four victories against Top-25 opponents (No. 1 Maryland, No. 3 Stony Brook, No. 18 Colorado and No. 19 Navy). The Gators defeated No. 1 Maryland for the first time in program history on Feb. 15, snapping the Terps 86-game home win streak – dating back to 2012. It was also the first win for Florida over the top-ranked team since May 5, 2012 (Northwestern, 14-7). Under Hadnagy’s tutelage, Cara Trombetta anchored the Florida defense and earned numerous accolades during her senior year: Tewaaraton Watch List, three AAC Defender of the Week honors, Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America First Team honors and was named Preseason AAC Defender of the Year. Under Hadnagy, junior defender Kaitlyn Dabkowski also had a breakout season, earning a place on the AAC Honor Roll. She was also named to the Preseason All-AAC Team. Hadnagy helped lead a squad that sat third in the conference and 37th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 11.13 goals per game. The Gators ranked third in the nation in clearing percentage (.922) and ninth in turnovers per game, only turning the ball over 12.38 times per game.
In the 2019 season, the Gators went 14-7 overall and 5-0 in the American Athletic Conference’s inaugural season. For the ninth-straight year, Florida hoisted a regular-season conference championship trophy after topping Cincinnati 25-6. Just one week later, the Gators earned another championship trophy, winning the AAC Tournament Championship after defeating Cincinnati 15-9 – the sixth-straight year UF has achieved conference tournament championship status. Hadnagy helped lead a squad that sat atop the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 10.86 goals per game. The Gators ranked seventh in the nation in groundballs per game (21.62) and also sat third in the nation in clearing percentage (.923). Under Hadnagy’s tutelage, Cara Trombetta ranked third in the conference and 22nd in the nation with 1.90 caused turnovers per game. The junior is the first Gator to break the 100-career caused turnover mark. Four Gators earned IWLCA All-American status (Lindsey Ronbeck, Shannon Kavanagh, Sydney Pirreca and Cara Trombetta). Florida also took home seven All-Conference selections and four major AAC awards: Lindsey Ronbeck (Attacker of the Year), Shannon Kavanagh (Midfielder of the Year), Cara Trombetta (Defender of the Year) and Haley Hicklen (Goalkeeper of the Year).
The Gators went 17-4 en route to their first NCAA Quarterfinal since the 2014 season and won their fourth consecutive BIG EAST Tournament title. Florida also picked up its fourth-straight BIG EAST regular season championship after going 9-0 in conference play. The team set a program record for most goals scored with 343 and most caused turnovers (188). 2018 marked Florida’s sixth season with at least 17 wins in the nine-year history of the program. The Gators were the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated No. 15 Colorado in the Second Round to advance to the first NCAA Quarterfinal since 2014. Florida traveled to No. 5 JMU and put up a tough fight before falling 11-8 to the Dukes. Seven Florida players were named IWLCA All-Region, the most in program history and four earned All-American honors (Haley Hicklen, Sydney Pirreca, Lindsey Ronbeck and Cara Trombetta). Three Gators won BIG EAST Awards: Shannon Kavanagh (Freshman of the Year), Sydney Pirreca (Midfielder of the Year), Haley Hicklen (Goalkeeper of the Year) and the staff was honored with the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.
University of Florida head coach
Amanda O’Leary announced the addition of reigning Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) National Defender of the Year and Tewaaraton Award Finalist
Nadine Hadnagy to the Gators coaching staff on June 30, 2017.
“I couldn’t be happier to have Nadine join our staff,” said head coach
Amanda O’Leary. “She has been nothing but a winner during her career, and has competed at the highest level possible for Maryland and in the UWLX. Nadine’s work ethic and competitiveness will be a wonderful addition and influence to our student-athletes and program. I’m so glad she is a Gator.”
O’Leary, second-year assistant coach
Taryn VanThof and Hadnagy will comprise the 2017-18 Florida coaching staff.
“I'm really excited to get started and join Mandee and Taryn at an awesome program like Florida. The talent, tradition and school pride in Gainesville is unbelievable, and something I can't wait to be a part of,” remarked Hadnagy. “The opportunity to work with a top program and make an impact instantly is very special, and to have someone like Mandee to guide me every day is a dream situation.”
As a defender at Maryland, Hadnagy played in 92 games, making 90 starts from 2014-2017. She compiled 115 ground balls, 74 caused turnovers, 19 draw controls, and seven points in her career as a Terrapin.
Hadnagy’s complete collegiate honors include:
- 2017 Tewaaraton Award Finalist
- 2017 IWLCA National Defender of the Year
- 2017 IWLCA First Team All-American
- 2017 Inside Lacrosse Media First Team All-American
- 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
- 2017 Big Ten All-Tournament Team
- 2017 All-Big Ten
- 2016 IWLCA Third Team All-American
- 2016 All-Big Ten
- 2016 Tewaaraton Award nominee
Nadine Hadnagy File
Coaching Experience:
2017-2021: University of Florida, Assistant Coach
Playing Experience:
2018-Present: Pride (Women’s Professional Lacrosse League)
2017-2018: Long Island Sound (United Women’s Lacrosse League)
2014-17: University of Maryland Lacrosse
Education:
University of Maryland: Bachelor’s degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences, 2017
