Leah Sipe-McDermott was named the fourth head coach in Lancaster Bible College Women's Soccer history in April 2015.
In Sipe-McDermott's first season, she guided the Chargers to a 10-11-1 record and a trip to the North Eastern Athletic Conference Playoffs. Lancaster Bible defeated Keuka, 3-0 in the NEAC Quarterfinals, before falling to eventual conference champion, Penn St. Berks, 2-0 in the NEAC Semifinals.
The Chargers went on to the NCCAA Division I Midwest Playoffs and lost to eventual NCCAA Division I National Champion, Houghton, in the Midwest Region Semifinals.
Lancaster Bible took a big step in 2016, as the Chargers went 16-7 overall and 12-1 in NEAC play. Lancaster Bible advanced to the NEAC Final for the first time since 2012, before falling to Penn St. Berks, 1-0 in double overtime. Prior to the NEAC Final, the Chargers defeated Cazenovia and SUNY Poly in the NEAC Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
Following the NEAC Final, the Chargers defeated Cincinnati Christian, 3-2 in the NCCAA Div. I Midwest Region Quarterfinals, before losing to Indiana Wesleyan in the region semifinals.
In two seasons, Sipe-McDermott has coached 10 NEAC All-Conference selections, including four First-Team selections.
Sipe-McDermott came to Lancaster Bible from NCAA Division I Bucknell where she had been an assistant coach for three seasons. Sipe-McDermott's main job at Bucknell was recruiting and she also helped with practices and game planning with the Bison.
Prior to coaching at Bucknell, Sipe-McDermott was a four-year standout student-athlete for powerhouse Messiah as she helped the Falcons to three NCAA Division III National Championships during her tenure and scored 21 goals and assisted on 14 others during her 84 career games. Over her collegiate career (2008-11), Messiah was an incredible 96-1-4.
Sipe-McDermott and her husband Brian McDermott were married in July 2016 and reside in Lancaster, Pa.
The Sipe-McDermott File
Overall Record: 26-18-1
First Lancaster Bible Game: September 1, 2015 vs. Alvernia (L, 3-0)
First Lancaster Bible Win: September 15, 2015 at Cairn (W, 4-2)
Seasons Coached at Lancaster Bible
2015: 10-11-1, 8-3-1 NEAC: NEAC Semifinalist, NCCAA Division I Semifinalist
2016: 16-7, 12-1 NEAC: NEAC Finalist, NCCAA Division I Semifinalist
