DENVER – University of Denver women's lacrosse head coach Liza Kelly has signed a contract extension through the 2023 season, Director of Athletics Ron Grahame announced on Monday. Per University policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
 
"We are very excited to sign Liza Kelly to this contract extension to keep her as a Pioneer," Grahame said. "Liza has done an exceptional job through the transition from the MPSF to the BIG EAST, and has built a program that this University can be proud of, having produced the program's first three NCAA Tournament wins in the last six years. She has also been a great ambassador for the University on the national level, serving on many women's lacrosse committees during her time at DU. We look forward to her continuing to lead the program to successful seasons in the years to come."
 
Kelly completed her 12^th season in charge of the program in 2018, leading the Pioneers back to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in her tenure and the third time in the program's history. Under Kelly, the Pioneers made a jump to the BIG EAST Conference ahead of the 2017 campaign, reaching the BIG EAST Tournament Final in each of the program's first two seasons in the league. Kelly enters 2019 with a 157-66 record at Denver, including an 85-19 mark at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium, and a 221-99 career record overall.
 
In all three of the Pioneers NCAA Tournament appearances (2013, 2014, 2018), Kelly has guided the program to the second round of the postseason. Last year, Denver climbed up to No. 16 in the RPI, and battled nine nationally ranked teams, including victories over Stanford, Colorado, Georgetown and High Point.
 
In Denver's win over neighbors Colorado at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium, Kelly recorded win number 150 in her tenure with the Crimson and Gold. Kelly reached the 200-win milestone in her coaching career overall in 2017 in a victory over Vermont. Prior to accepting her role in the Mile High City, Kelly went 64-33 in five seasons at Boston University.
 
Kelly has spent six years in her career on the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament Selection Committee, while also serving as the Division I Vice President of the IWLCA Board of Directors and on the All-American Selection Committee. The Denver head coach will also join the NCAA Rules Committee in August.
 
In addition to coaching in the United States, Kelly traveled to Tokyo, Japan, in 1995 to teach the sport to Japanese University students.
 
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