Chris has compiled a 49-3 record at Lake Highland with a Florida state championship and another state championship runner up finish. He was the head coach at McDonogh for thirteen years compiling a 257-9 record. His teams won ten IAAM championships and placed two other teams in the finals. His McDonogh teams were #1 in the country for nine straight years and compiled a national record 177 game winning streak. Before McDonogh, he was the head coach at Mt. Hebron compiling five state championships and two #1 national rankings and a 106-9-1 overall record. Chris’s overall high school coaching record is 412-21-1. Chris’s M&D 2014 Black team won 23 tournament championships and the M&D 2019 Black won 25 championships.

Email: crobinson@robinsonsportsinc.com

Melissa is from Rochester, New York, where she played for Honeoye Falls-Lima, a New York State Class C powerhouse. She was a 3-time state finalist during her high school career before going on to play Division I lacrosse at High Point University in North Carolina, winning the Big South Championship her freshman year.

She has coached at Southwest Guilford High School, Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, Panther Lacrosse Club, and Monster Elite Lacrosse Club. During her playing career, she spent summers with LadyRoc Lacrosse Club, a nationally recognized organization out of Rochester.

Melissa currently oversees all club operations for M&D Orlando, bringing her extensive experience and passion for developing players to the forefront of the program.

Previously, Melissa served as the Offensive Coordinator for the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team at Lake Highland Prep, where she coached alongside Chris Robinson. During her five years there, she helped lead the team to the 2019 and 2022 Florida State Championships and a three runner-up finishes. 

She was the director of Sol Blazers Lacrosse, a non-profit youth program in Orlando, for five years, establishing a foundation for countless players to develop a love for the game.

In the summer of 2021, Melissa was named Youth Coach of the Year by Corrigan Sports.

Follow Coach Mel on Instagram: @LaxCoachMel

Email:

mvillanti@robinsonsportsinc.com

Rachel Ortell came from Mount Saint Mary’s University. During her time there she helped compiled a 14-3 record. She helped coach the team to a conference title for the first time in 16 years. Setting Mount Saint Mary’s up with a first round match up against Duke University. In her time at Mount she coached the goalies to a conference goalie of the year award. Before arriving in Emmitsburg, Ortell spent a season as an Assistant Coach at NEC competitor, Merrimack College.

Before Merrimack, Ortell spent a year at a top ranked Division II program, University of Indianapolis, where she coached the goalie to a freshman and conference goalie of the year, as well as a regional goalie, finishing with over .500% save percentage.

She wrapped up her first season with the Greyhounds, helping lead UIndy to an 18-2 overall record and its second-straight NCAA Midwest regional berth.

Ortell mentored rookie netminder Cassidy King, who was named the GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year and GLIAC Freshman of the Year after a tremendous spring season. King also earned IWLCA Second-Team All-Region accolades, the first goalie in UIndy history to do so. King ranked second in NCAA Division II in goals-against average (GAA), allowing just 6.10 opponent scores each appearance.

As a student-athlete at Lindenwood, Ortell was named an IWLCA third-team All-American her final two seasons. Named the RMAC Goalie of the Year and an all-region performer each of her four years.

Between the pipes, the Ellicott, Md. native racked up 59 career wins and made three straight trips to the NCAA Division II semifinals, and never missing an NCAA tournament. Ortell played nearly 3,500 minutes at Lindenwood, finishing with a career save percentage of .477 and 473 career saves. She recorded an 8.20 goals against average in 71 contests.

Ortell resides in Lakeland with her dogs, Rory and Roo.

Check out Coach Ortell’s college bio.

Nikki Thorndill grew up on Long Island and went on to play Division I lacrosse at the University at Albany. After college, she relocated to Florida, where she began coaching high school lacrosse, leading programs at Ocoee High School, West Orange High School, and currently at The First Academy. In addition to coaching, she serves as Co-Director of OC Riptide Lax, helping develop young athletes and grow the game across Central Florida. She now serves as the M&D Orlando Youth Director as well as the Academy Director.

Email:

nthorndill24@gmail.com

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

Check out Coach Brewer’s college bio.

Email:

brittanybrewer1021@gmail.com

Nikki Thorndill grew up on Long Island and went on to play Division I lacrosse at the University at Albany. After college, she relocated to Florida, where she began coaching high school lacrosse, leading programs at Ocoee High School, West Orange High School, and currently at The First Academy. In addition to coaching, she serves as Co-Director of OC Riptide Lax, helping develop young athletes and grow the game across Central Florida. She now serves as the M&D Orlando Youth Director as well as the Academy Director.

Email:

nthorndill24@gmail.com

Rachel Ortell came from Mount Saint Mary’s University. During her time there she helped compiled a 14-3 record. She helped coach the team to a conference title for the first time in 16 years. Setting Mount Saint Mary’s up with a first round match up against Duke University. In her time at Mount she coached the goalies to a conference goalie of the year award. Before arriving in Emmitsburg, Ortell spent a season as an Assistant Coach at NEC competitor, Merrimack College.

Before Merrimack, Ortell spent a year at a top ranked Division II program, University of Indianapolis, where she coached the goalie to a freshman and conference goalie of the year, as well as a regional goalie, finishing with over .500% save percentage.

She wrapped up her first season with the Greyhounds, helping lead UIndy to an 18-2 overall record and its second-straight NCAA Midwest regional berth.

Ortell mentored rookie netminder Cassidy King, who was named the GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year and GLIAC Freshman of the Year after a tremendous spring season. King also earned IWLCA Second-Team All-Region accolades, the first goalie in UIndy history to do so. King ranked second in NCAA Division II in goals-against average (GAA), allowing just 6.10 opponent scores each appearance.

As a student-athlete at Lindenwood, Ortell was named an IWLCA third-team All-American her final two seasons. Named the RMAC Goalie of the Year and an all-region performer each of her four years.

Between the pipes, the Ellicott, Md. native racked up 59 career wins and made three straight trips to the NCAA Division II semifinals, and never missing an NCAA tournament. Ortell played nearly 3,500 minutes at Lindenwood, finishing with a career save percentage of .477 and 473 career saves. She recorded an 8.20 goals against average in 71 contests.

Ortell resides in Lakeland with her dogs, Rory and Roo.

Check out Coach Ortell’s college bio.