The Hood College Athletics Department announced the hiring of Molly Hesterberg as the fifth women’s lacrosse head coach in program history Nov. 13, 2007.

A 2005 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Hesterberg was a four-year starting defender and two-time captain on the women’s lacrosse team. She led the Colonials to four straight Little East Conference tournaments, including a third place finish her senior year. Hesterberg also participated in several Western Connecticut lacrosse clinics.

In 2006, Hesterberg served as the head lacrosse coach at Mercy High School in Middletown, Conn., where she coached the junior varsity squad and assisted with the varsity club.

Prior to coming to Hood, Hesterberg also gained valuable experience working with youth as a substitute teacher and tutor for Windsor Public School, as a youth worker for Plainville Group Home and as a juvenile caseworker for the Choice Program in Baltimore, Md. This past year, she worked as a forensic service coordinator at Service Coordination, Inc., in Baltimore, Md., where she helped the developmentally disabled.

Hesterberg has volunteered her time as a coach in the Special Olympics in Windsor, Conn., in addition to coaching in the Windsor International Basketball League.

Hesterberg earned a bachelor of science degree in justice and law administration and went on to earn an master’s degree in criminal justice at American International College in May 2007. She currently resides in Baltimore, Md.

Hesterberg took over the squad from Staci Thomson, who after five years at the helm chose to focus her efforts exclusively on Hood’s field hockey program. During Hood's inaugural season in the Capital Athletic Conference in 2008, the Blazers posted a record of 4-12 and 0-7 in the CAC. Hesterberg earned her first career coaching victory March 30, 2008 against Hollins University (15-0).

Originally from West Hartford, Conn., Kelly Buikus joins the Blazer lacrosse staff for the 2009 spring season. She played basketball and lacrosse at St. Joseph's College (Conn.). She was a junior varsity coach for Newington High School and also volunteered with her college team at St. Joe's. She was hired at Hood for a graduate resident director (GRD) position in August 2008 and is pursuing a master's degree at Hood.