Our Leadership Team

Lauren Benner

Benner grew up in Annapolis, Maryland. A multi-sport athlete through high school, she went on to play lacrosse collegiately at the University of Virginia (2006–2010), where she helped lead the Cavaliers to two ACC Championships and an NCAA Final appearance. She was also named to the IWLCA All-South Region Team and the VaSID All-State Team.

After redshirting her second year at UVA, Benner used her fifth year of eligibility at the University of Denver (2010–2011) while pursuing an M.S. in Strategic Communications. She remained at Denver on the coaching staff from 2011–2015, specializing in defensive and goalie development. During her time in Colorado, she also officiated high school and collegiate women’s lacrosse games and was the club director for Denver Summit Lacrosse.

In 2015, Benner joined the University of Louisville women’s lacrosse staff as Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator. During her tenure, Louisville advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. In addition to coaching, Benner competed nationally and internationally as a Team STX athlete from 2013 through 2016.

Benner returned to Denver and founded Line 39 Lacrosse in 2016. She transitioned into the independent school setting as the Head Coach of the Varsity Girls Lacrosse program at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, while also serving as a full-time Athletic Administrator from 2017–2020. During her time at Valor, she set school records for wins, postseason awards, and playoff advancement, leading the program to its first league championship and a Final Four appearance in 2019. She was named CHSAA State Coach of the Year in 2019. Benner also served as Executive Director of the Colorado Girls Lacrosse Association from 2017–2019 and continued officiating youth, high school, and collegiate games through 2020.

After several years in Colorado, Benner returned to the collegiate level, joining the staff at Loyola University Maryland for the 2022 season. Loyola’s defense ranked among the nation’s best, finishing third in the country in scoring defense while winning the Patriot League Championship and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight.

Most recently, Benner served as Associate Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame from 2022–2025. As Defensive Coordinator and goalie coach, she oversaw defensive strategy, scouting, and player development for defenders, defensive midfielders, and goalies. During her time at Notre Dame, the program advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2023 and the Sweet 16 in 2024, and Benner coached nine All-Americans.

In 2025, Benner moved to Portland, Oregon and now serves as an Admissions Associate–Athletics Liaison and Girls Lacrosse Director at Oregon Episcopal School while holding her role as a director with Oregon Pride.

Outside of lacrosse, Benner enjoys hiking, skiing, and attending live music with her wife, Wyatt, and their Australian Shepherd, Sully.

Mariah gatti

Mariah is a former NCAA Division I University of Oregon Women’s Lacrosse player. She was named MVP, Pac 12 All Tournament Team, and Senior Captain back in 2018. Her mission is to help girls from around the area reach their goals of playing in college and become better leaders. Mariah is the former UCLA Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach where she led them to their first D1 Club Championship in 2020. Mariah graduated from Harvard University where she earned her MBA and is now working in Marketing at Nike. She specializes in draw taking, shooting, and growing the game of women’s lacrosse.

Bill gleason

Bill Gleason brings a deep and well-rounded lacrosse background as both a player and coach, with experience spanning the NCAA Division I and Division III levels.

A native of Syracuse, NY, Bill played high school lacrosse for legendary coach Mike Messere at West Genesee High School, one of the most storied programs in the country. During his time there, he was part of back-to-back New York State Class A Championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He later returned to his alma mater as a coach in 2009, gaining valuable early coaching experience before moving on to the collegiate level.

Bill went on to serve as the Offensive Coordinator at Bellarmine University from 2010 to 2014 while earning his MBA, helping develop high-level offensive systems and player development strategies that contributed to the program’s first-ever Top 20 national ranking.

As a player, Bill competed at SUNY Cortland, where he played midfield and defensive midfield. During his time there, he was part of one of the most successful eras in program history—winning the 2006 NCAA Division III National Championship and returning to the national title game in 2007 as runner-up.

Since relocating to Portland in 2014, Bill has been deeply involved in the growth and development of lacrosse in the region. He served as the Boys Varsity Head Coach at Jesuit High School from 2019 to 2022, leading the program to its first-ever state championship in 2022. That same year, Bill welcomed his first son and transitioned into an assistant coaching role over the following two seasons, continuing to contribute to the program’s success as Jesuit went on to win two additional state championships.

Bill is also deeply involved in the college recruiting process, working closely with athletes and families to help navigate the path to the next level. Since arriving in Portland, he has helped guide hundreds of players toward meaningful college opportunities at the NCAA, NAIA, and MCLA levels.

With experience at every level of the game, Bill is passionate about developing players and coaches, teaching the nuances of the sport, and helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field.

Outside of lacrosse, Bill enjoys spending time with his wife, Allison, their two sons, Revel and Raiden, and their dog, Maupin. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, traveling, and taking advantage of everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer.