Wilkes University’s women’s lacrosse program is entering a new era with the arrival of head coach Taylor Drumheller. In just a few days on campus, Drumheller has already set the tone: she’s here to rebuild, to restore a family atmosphere and to make Wilkes a force in the Landmark Conference.

“I believe in tough love,” Drumheller said. “I’m going to push you to do it all, but I’ll always have your back.” 

Drumheller grew up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and has been around the sport since third grade. She played all through elementary, high school and college before making the unexpected decision to step away from athletic training and into coaching.

Her journey wasn’t straightforward. After graduating with two degrees in biology and athletic training, she worked briefly in corporate life at Under Armor. But the pull of lacrosse was too strong. “I had really good mentors who believed I could be a coach,” she explained. “I took a leap of faith, and once I started coaching, I never looked back.” 

Along the way, she met her husband, new men’s coach Jordan Drumheller, and the two spent several years moving for coaching opportunities before finding what feels like a long-term home in Wilkes-Barre. 

Drumheller, choosing Wilkes was about more than just a job title. It was about the opportunity to bring stability to a program in transition. 

“Knowing where this college was and what it needed, it was a no-brainer,” she said. “This program needs some TLC, and I’ve been a part of rebuilds before. Every institution I’ve worked with, I’ve left in a better spot. That’s the plan here, too.” 

Drumheller also sees Wilkes-Barre as the right place to settle down personally. “We do see ourselves here for a while. This would be a great place to start a family. I’m sick of moving.” She added with a laugh. 

Ask Coach Taylor Drumheller about her coaching style and she’s quick to highlight her players first. “It’s who I am,” she said. “I care about you, but I am also going to be tough on you. I want to know your academic, career and athletic goals so I can help you thrive individually and as a team.” 

Her first team meeting will include goal-setting worksheets that go beyond lacrosse. “We’re reinstalling this family atmosphere,” she emphasized. “Family is huge and always comes first.”

She also hopes to connect Wilkes women’s lacrosse to the wider community. Taylor Drumheller is already eyeing youth clinics and potential partnerships with NEPA Impact, a Scranton based club team, to grow the sport locally. 

Drumheller is clear-eyed about where the program stands and where she wants it to go. 

“Last year was tough in a lot of ways,” she admitted. “So this year, it’s about rebuilding confidence, being consistent with the little things and celebrating small victories.”

Looking ahead, her goals are ambitious but achievable: grow the roster from the current 19-20 players to 27-30, finish in the top half of the Landmark Conference and eventually make playoff runs. 

“Don’t be cocky, be confident.” Drumheller tells her players. “Watch out for women’s lacrosse. We’re gonna make a name for ourselves.” 

When asked about her favorite memories as a coach, Drumheller didn’t hesitate. 

“It’s the smile on your face when you’ve done something, its getting an A on a test, figuring out how to defend a tough opponent or hitting a career milestone,” she said. “Those lightbulb moments, seeing the excitement on the players’ face and their parents’ faces. That’s what it’s all about.” 

Drumheller also wants more of a presence on campus and hopes students will rally behind the program. 

“Come support us, it’s fun. And if you want us to support you, let us know. We’ll be there.” she said. “When we show ourselves on campus, naturally, we’ll get more support. There’s room for us to grow.” 

With energy, experience and a clear vision, Coach Taylor Drumheller is ready to turn the page for Wilkes women’s lacrosse. Her mix of tough love, family-first mentality and passion for the game might be exactly what the program needs. 

As she put it best: “Watch out for women’s lacrosse. We’re gonna make a statement.”