Taylor Mendoza Named IMLCA Outstanding Assistant Coach for Division III

By Brian Laubscher
December 3, 2024

Taylor Mendoza, assistant head coach for men's lacrosse at Washington and Lee University, has been selected to receive Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaching Association (IMLCA) Outstanding Assistant Coach honors for Division III. Mendoza will accept his award at the annual Elevate IMLCA Coaches Summit in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 13.

The awards are sponsored by Axia Time, and honorees will be presented with custom Axia timepieces at the awards luncheon.

Mendoza, who serves as the team's defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, helped guide W&L to one of the greatest seasons in program history last spring. The Generals finished the year with a 16-6 overall record and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament. W&L finished with a perfect 9-0 record in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Blue & White knocked off Lake Forest College (17-4) and the University of Lynchburg (16-13) to set up a quarterfinal matchup with top-ranked and undefeated Salisbury University. W&L handed the Seagulls a 16-15 overtime loss, before dropping a 19-13 decision to eventual national champions Tufts University in the semifinals. It was the seventh time that a W&L team has advanced to the semifinals and the first since 2002.

In his first three seasons, Mendoza has helped coach the Generals to a 46-18 (.719) record, three trips to the NCAA Tournament and one ODAC championship. A total of 18 players have earned All-America honors during his time at W&L.

Before arriving in Lexington, Mendoza served as director of lacrosse operations at the Pennsylvania State University (2018-2021) and assistant coach at both Amherst College (2016-2017) and Skidmore College (2014-2015). He holds a Bachelor of Science in business economics from Cortland State University.

If you know a W&L faculty member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.