The Maryland lacrosse community is mourning the loss of Natalie Wills, a respected coach, mentor, and educator whose commitment to developing young athletes left a lasting mark on the sport. Wills, who served as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Maryland women’s lacrosse team and later coached at McDonogh School while working extensively with USA Lacrosse, died after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from former players, colleagues, and friends who remember her for her positivity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to others.
Personal Details
Full Name: Natalie Wills
Age: Not publicly verified at the time of publication.
Residence: Owings Mills, Maryland
Date of Death: Reported June 2026 (exact date has not been officially confirmed)
Cause of Death: Complications related to metastatic breast cancer
Profession: Lacrosse coach, mentor, and youth development leader
Education: Vanderbilt University (Class of 2012)
Natalie Wills built a respected career in women’s lacrosse after graduating from Vanderbilt University, where she played goalkeeper for the Commodores while earning recognition for both her athletic and academic achievements. Following graduation in 2012, she began coaching at Boston University before joining the University of Maryland women’s lacrosse program as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2014–15 season.
Her influence continued to grow beyond the collegiate level. Natalie later became a familiar and highly respected figure within Maryland’s lacrosse community through her work with USA Lacrosse and as an assistant coach at McDonogh School. Players and parents alike admired her ability to teach the game while also building confidence, leadership, and character in every athlete she coached.
Away from the field, Natalie demonstrated extraordinary courage after being diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2022. Although she initially underwent treatment with optimism, the disease later returned as Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Throughout her illness, she remained deeply involved in the sport she loved, continuing to encourage athletes and inspire everyone around her with remarkable grace and determination.
As her battle became known throughout the lacrosse world, organizations, teammates, former players, and friends united to support her through fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns. The overwhelming response reflected the tremendous respect and affection so many people had for Natalie, not only as a coach but as a person whose kindness extended far beyond athletics.
Those who knew Natalie often describe her as someone who celebrated the success of others before her own. Her coaching philosophy emphasized perseverance, teamwork, humility, and compassion—qualities that helped shape countless young athletes both on and off the field.
Although her passing leaves an immeasurable void, Natalie Wills’ legacy lives on through the many players she mentored, the coaches she inspired, and the relationships she built throughout her career.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements have not yet been publicly announced by her family.
The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of the lacrosse community remain with Natalie Wills’ family, friends, former teammates, colleagues, and all those mourning her loss.