ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women's lacrosse program and head coach Katie Thomson have announced the hiring of Shonly Wallace as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026 season. 

"We are so happy to welcome Shonly back to UAlbany! Shonly's enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to the sport of lacrosse is inspiring," Thomson said.   

Wallace returns to UAlbany after an accomplished playing and coaching career at the collegiate, professional, and international levels. She brings experience in offensive development, recruiting, video analysis, and player mentorship as the Great Danes continue to build toward the 2026 campaign. 

"Shonly brings a wealth of knowledge, energy, and spirit to our Great Danes women's lacrosse program," added Thomson.  "She has already made an impact as both a player and coaching assistant here at UAlbany, and I'm excited to continue to see her positive influence as a full-time assistant coach." 

Wallace most recently served as an assistant coach at Dartmouth College, joining the Big Green staff ahead of the 2025 season. 

In 2024, Wallace also returned to UAlbany as a coaching assistant contributing to offensive development, goaltender support, and video operations during the Great Danes' season, and later earning her graduate degree that same year.

In addition to her collegiate coaching roles, Wallace was named to the coaching staff as a college scout for the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League in October 2024, becoming the first female scout in NLL history. She continues in that role with the franchise that has now relocated as the Oshawa FireWolves. She also serves as an assistant coach for the Lacrosse Canada West U17 National Development Team. 

"What a privilege it is to join this staff whose goal is always to continue to raise the level of our program, developing these young women to achieve their goals both on and off the field. The University at Albany has always been a special place for me," said Wallace.  

As a student-athlete, Wallace enjoyed a standout collegiate career across three programs. She began her career at Stony Brook University, helping the Seawolves capture the 2019 America East Championship. She then transferred to the University of Oregon, where she played three seasons and led the Ducks in scoring in 2022 with 40 goals, earning Pac-12 All-Tournament honors, and earning her undergraduate degree that same year. 

Wallace concluded her playing career at UAlbany in 2023, starting 18 of 20 games and leading the Great Danes with 51 goals while adding five assists for 56 points. She earned All-Conference First Team honors and helped guide UAlbany to its third America East Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. 

At the international level, Wallace has represented Team Canada in multiple competitions, including the World Lacrosse Super Sixes event in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, and the inaugural 2024 Women's Box Lacrosse World Championships in Utica, New York. She helped Canada earn a silver medal at the event, marking the program's first medal in Women's Box World Championship history. Wallace first competed for Canada in the 2019 U19 Women's World Cup Championships in Peterborough, ON, earning silver.  

"The opportunity to play at UAlbany was one of the greatest experiences of my life," Wallace added. "It is quite an honor to coach alongside Coaches Thomson and Frink again. They have had such a great impact on me both as a player and person, igniting my dreams of pursuing a career in coaching. I am truly grateful to return to the Great Dane family to endorse the bond that has touched my life so deeply. I am very excited to be back with the Great Danes!" 

Wallace will join the Great Danes staff immediately as preparations continue for the 2026 season.