Oakley set to resign from University of Dallas Women's Lacrosse following 2012 campaign

IRVING, Texas - University of Dallas Women's Lacrosse head coach Will Oakley has announced he will resign following the 2012 women's lacrosse season.

"I wish to express my gratitude to the University and athletic director Dick Strockbine for giving me the opportunity to head the program here," Oakley stated.

"My wife was recently admitted into dental school in Richmond, Va., and as much as we enjoy living and working in Dallas we felt this was an amazing opportunity that we could not pass up."

Currently coaching the Lady Crusaders in his fourth season, Oakley possesses a 12-39 record in his tenure with the team, and to his credit helped the 2011 squad reach the five-win pleateau and a 0.333 winning percentage, which are both single-season records.

"It has been great seeing the players who have come through the program grow and get better in the four years I have been here," Oakley said. "We have improved every year, and it has been great seeing the girls break most every team and individual record over the past few years including a few more already this year."

Oakley has been the benefactor of several players setting game, season and career records. Most notably, 2011 senior captain Christine McFarland was a three-year team MVP, four year letter-winner and holds school records in 17 categories.

Junior midfielder Mary Salotto (Salt Lake City, Utah/Skyline H.S.) may snag some of McFarland's records before all is said and done. Salotto set the individual game caused-turnover record with five against Millsaps College (Miss.) on Mar. 31, 2012.

With 38 goals and at least five games remaining in Dallas' 2012 campaign, Salotto should threaten McFarland's single-season record of 56 goals, set in 2010.

"We have brought in some great players over the past few years," Oakley said, "and I feel we have a strong base for the next coach to build upon and take the team even further."