Pressure has never bothered Megan Nicotra.
It came with the job as the starting goalie and team captain for Duke University and later for USA Women’s Lacrosse. It comes along with running her own business, Gold Medal Lacrosse & Goalkeeping.
And there will definitely be some as she steps into her first head coaching job for the perennially strong McDonogh School varsity girls’ lacrosse team.
“I am a glutton for it,” Nicotra said. “I like the pressure. I thrive in that environment.”
Nicotra takes over for Taylor Cummings, who, in five seasons as the head coach at her alma mater, led the Eagles to a 74-5 record and a pair of Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championships.
For the past two seasons, Nicotra has served as Cummings’ goalie coach. She added defensive coordinator to her responsibilities in 2023, when McDonogh went 21-1 and beat nemesis St. Paul’s 13-8 in the IAAM A Conference title game.
“I have never been somebody that wanted to go out and take over a program,” Nicotra said. “With McDonogh and this opportunity, that all changed. Just knowing the culture, knowing the school, knowing the administration, this is the job. This is the position that is exciting.
“But, if Taylor would have stayed, I would have been very content to be her long-term assistant.”
Cummings said she stepped down to pursue other business opportunities, as well as shifting family dynamics.
“I am just really grateful,” she said. “I have spent over a third of my life [at McDonogh] as a student and a coach. I have nothing but gratitude and just incredible things to say about the school.”
The Eagles return most of their key contributors from their championship team, and, given their familiarity with Nicotra, the stage is set for a fairly seamless transition.
“I don’t think there will be a lot of massive changes,” Nicotra said. “I think we will hit the ground running.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Megan Nicotra