DURANGO, Colo. — Fort Lewis College Director of Athletics Brandon Leimbach has announced this week the hiring of Ashley Travis as the next Head Women's Lacrosse Coach. Travis becomes the fifth head coach in the program's history and will begin her duties on September 1.

"What attracted me to the Fort Lewis program was the opportunity to build it up," Travis said. "Durango is a beautiful city and the chance to be back at the NCAA Division II level really excited me."

Travis comes to Durango after spending three seasons at Heidelberg University, a NCAA Division III program in the Ohio Athletic Conference. She served two years as the head coach (2018-19) and one year as the team's graduate assistant during the program's inaugural season in 2017.

She posted a head coaching record of 14-18 overall with the Student Princes, highlighted by the young program's best finish of 8-9 overall in 2018-19.

Prior to her time at Heidelberg University, Travis was a lacrosse student-athlete at the University of New Haven where she helped the Chargers to top-10 NCAA Division II national rankings in each of her four years (2012-15).

Travis, a native of LaFayette, New York, played in 59 career games as an attacker. She scored 30 goals, and finished with 32 career points, while twice being named to the Northeast 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

"Ashley is going to be a great fit to take Fort Lewis College women's lacrosse to the next level. She understands NCAA Division II lacrosse, as evidenced by her successful playing career at New Haven," Leimbach said. "She also possesses head coaching experience at the NCAA level. Her energy to lead our young program and passion to grow the game was unmatched during her interview are we are fortunate to have her join our team."

Travis received her bachelor's degree in Arts Psychology in 2015 from the University of New Haven and earned her master's degree in Educational Leadership from Heidelberg University in 2018.

She'll take over a Skyhawks program that is looking to rebound from a 2-8 overall finish in 2019 after it had advanced to back-to-back RMAC semifinal appearances in 2017 and 2018.

The Skyhawks are currently set to return 14 players from last year and Travis is already hard at work recruiting in more student-athletes as the program prepares for the 2020 season.

"We want to build up the program to be more competitive in the RMAC, as well as good team communication and a family like environment for the players," Travis said. "The key for us will be bringing in some good recruits, establishing that hard work ethic with the girls we already have, and creating a great culture within the team."