NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell College athletic department has announced that Sarah Woodside has been named head softball coach, effective immediately.

A 2007 Lasell graduate with a degree in Psychology, Woodside is a former student-athlete for the Laser softball squad. She has spent the last five years on the coaching staff at Wayland (Mass.) High School, including serving as pitching coach for the entire Wayland Softball Program. She also earned her Master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2009.

"We are excited to have Sarah Woodside as our new head softball coach," said director of athletics Kristy Walter. "She was very impressive to the search committee, displaying a passion for coaching and leading young student-athletes. She has a strong belief in the balance between academics and athletics, and she is also very competitive. We are delighted to have her join our staff, and we look forward to working with her and supporting her efforts with our softball program."

Woodside was recruited to Lasell as a pitcher and became a starter in the outfield. She helped the team to a 24-9 record in 2005, ranking second on the team with seven doubles. The 24 victories that year was a program-best and still ranks second-most all-time.

Woodside has been on the Wayland staff since 2015 and with the Wayland Youth Softball program since 2016. She has also been a Scouting Coach for the basketball program and served as the middle school field hockey coach.

"I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater as the new head softball coach at Lasell College," said Woodside. "Over the last several years coaching at the high school level, I have been lucky to watch and support players move on to play at the collegiate level. I am especially excited to now be on the receiving end of the great athletes that come to Lasell with a passion for softball. I am grateful to Kristy Walter and her administration team for giving me the opportunity to return to a program that I loved playing for. Lasell Softball has tremendous potential with a great group of returning players and incoming freshman that I am looking forward to coaching and bringing the program to new heights." 

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