Coaching Experience
• Assistant Coach, Cornell University (2023-Present)
• Assistant Coach, Canisius University (2022-23)
• Head Coach, SUNY Buffalo State (2018-22)
Playing Experience
• SUNY Buffalo State (2008-11)
• 2x All-SUNYAC Tournament Team (2008/2009)
• Buffalo State Female Athlete of the Year (2008)
• 2x First-Team SUNYAC All-Conference Goalie (2009/2011)
• Ranked first in the school's history in highest career saves (minimum 400 min) with 556 saves
• Holds the lowest career goals against average (minimum 400 min) with a GAA of 9.51
• Holds the 5th highest save percentage in school history with 48% in 2011
• Helped lead Buffalo State to playoff appearances in all four years of playing
• Led her team to its most winning-est season in program history (ranked 2nd in SUNYAC) and to being a top 20 Division III team in 2009
Education
• B.A., Psychology, SUNY Buffalo State (2012)
• M.A., Biology, SUNY Buffalo State (2020)
Prior to Cornell
Before coming to Cornell, O'Brien spent last season as an assistant coach at Canisius University. She assisted with creating practice plans and workouts, specializing in defense and goalie training. She also helped coordinate team fundraisers, monitored student-athlete academic progress, and assisted in team administration duties. Her contributions also included coaching two first-team all-conference selections and three all-rookie team members.
O'Brien also brings head coaching experience to the Big Red, most recently at Division III Buffalo State (2018-22). O'Brien amassed 25 wins for the Bengals and two consecutive quarterfinal appearances in the SUNYAC Tournament in 2018 and 2019. She was also the university student-athlete advisory committee staff liaison and the SUNYAC chair for women's lacrosse.
Playing Career
As a player, O'Brien was a four-year starter between the pipes for Buffalo State from 2008-11, earning three student-athlete awards at the school. The two-time All-SUNYAC first team selection helped guide the Bengals to their winningest season in program history in 2009 (16-2) and an appearance in the SUNYAC Finals. The team finished their season ranked 19 in Division III.
Personal
O'Brien graduated from Buffalo State with a degree in Psychology in 2012 before returning to earn her master's in Biology in 2020.
