PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Johnson & Wales (RI) University Director of Athletics Dana Garfield has announcing the hiring of Olivia Duarte as the fifth women's lacrosse head coach in program history.

Duarte comes to JWU after spending the 2022-23 campaign as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Findlay in Ohio. The Oilers won nine games this past season and advanced to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship, where they suffered a one-goal loss. Three of Duarte's student-athletes received major G-MAC awards: Danielle Dilorenzo (Offensive Player of the Year), Rachel Bornstein (Goalkeeper of the Year), and Tessa Chuba (Freshman of the Year).

"I am so excited to be the new women's lacrosse head coach at Johnson & Wales," said Duarte. "This program has a history of success and excellence. I hope to be able to continue that trend while also striving for success at the national level. I would like to thank Dara Garfield, Julie Beer, and the rest of the search committee for putting their faith in me to take over this program. I played for a handful of phenomenal coaches during my collegiate career and am thankful for their past and continued support as I take the next step in my career."

During her time at Findlay, Duarte created daily practice plans and led both individual and small group sessions, developed offensive schemes and plays, analyzed and broke down game and practice film, coordinated team travel, designed off-season workout programs, and managed the team's social media accounts.

"Olivia brings energy and experience to the women's lacrosse program, both from her time as a head coach and a student-athlete," said Garfield. "She is the ideal candidate to take over one of the most successful programs in the northeast over the last 10 years."

Duarte – who had previous coaching stints as the head coach at both Rippin' Rope Lacrosse Camps (2017-23) and Phantoms & Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club (2018-23), as well as Carvel Academy (2022) – was a four-year member of the Colgate University lacrosse program (2017-21) before spending her final year of eligibility at Lindenwood University (2022). She appeared in 42 games for the Raiders and earned Patriot League All-Tournament Team honors following the 2021 campaign. Duarte then played nine games for the Lions the following spring, racking up eight ground balls and eight caused turnovers.

A native of Middletown, Delaware, Duarte graduated Carvel Academy as the state's all-time leader in goals with 429, 119 of which came during her senior campaign. She was named First Team All-America in both 2016 and 2017.

The Wildcats posted a 16-3 record this past season and captured the program's fifth Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship behind interim head coach Maria Patane '20, who will return as an assistant coach this season. "Maria did a stellar job stepping in as head coach last year and guiding the program to another conference championship," said Duarte. "I am so glad she has decided to return as an assistant and I am excited to work with her."