University of Delaware Athletics
Men's Lacrosse
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- nfossner@udel.edu
- Phone:
- 302-831-3626
Noah Fossner, one of the top goalkeepers in University of Delaware men's lacrosse history, returned to his alma mater in June, 2017 for his second stint as assistant coach under new Blue Hen head coach Ben DeLuca.
In 2019, Fossner coached the first Blue Hen netminder to earn All-America honors since 2005, as Matt DeLuca ranked in the top-10 nationally in saves per game and save percentage. Fossner also mentored Austin Haynes to his third all-conference honor, and two All-CAA second team selections in Thomas Aloe and Alex Brunner. The defense ranked No. 9 in the NCAA in goals against average, posting a 9.93 average.
Fossner earned his degree in health and physical education from Delaware in 2011 before serving as a volunteer assistant at Rutgers in 2012-13. He returned to serve as defensive coordinator and goalkeepers coach at his alma mater in 2014-15, was an assistant at Boston University for one season in 2016, and served as Harvard's lacrosse operations coordinator during the 2016-17 year.
Working with the BU goalies, Fossner guided Christian Carson-Banister to a Patriot League-best 10.73 saves per game. Carson-Banister sat among the top-25 in the country in save percentage (.533) and goals-against average (9.69).
During his first stint with the Blue Hens, Fossner was instrumental in leading a solid defense that featured goalkeeper Conor Peaks, who ranked among the Colonial Athletic Association leaders in goals against average and save percentage. Fossner also mentored Brett Anton in 2015, who led the CAA with a .620 save percentage. Delaware boasted two All-CAA players and a CAA All-Rookie team selection that were mentored by Fossner.
Prior to his time at Delaware, Fossner was a volunteer assistant at Rutgers for two seasons, where he specialized in goalie instruction and also worked with the face-off specialists, who finished the 2013 campaign fifth in the nation in face-off percentage (.622). Under his tutelage, freshman goalie Kris Alleyne earned BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year after finishing the 2013 season sixth in the country (first in the BIG EAST) in saves per game (13.93) and seventh in the NCAA (first in the conference) in save percentage (.595).
“Noah is a Blue Hen through and through, a loyal alumnus, and arguably one of the finest leaders to come through the Delaware lacrosse program,” DeLuca said. “He is a rising star in our profession and has great experience at multiple Division I programs. Noah is a passionate educator driven by integrity, strong morals, outstanding character.”
Fossner was a four-year letterwinner for the Blue Hens in 2008-11 and remains one of the few players in school history to serve as team captain three times, serving in the role in 2009-11.
Fossner led the Blue Hens to CAA Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2010 and 2011 as the team's starting goalkeeper. He earned second team All-CAA honors as a junior in 2010 and was named to the CAA All-Tournament team in both 2010 and 2011, earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors in 2010.
In 2011, he earned the team's Alumni Association Most Valuable Player Award and the team's Sportsmanship Award. He went on to compete in the annual USILA North-South Senior All-Star Game and was selected as the game's Most Valuable Player.
As a three-year starter, Fossner played in 51 career games, logging 3,003 minutes, posting 552 saves, and allowing 483 goals. He set a school record for minutes played with 1,063 in 2011 and ranks No. 2 all-time at Delaware in career minutes played, No. 3 in career goals against average (9.65), and No. 6 in career saves (552).
He also ranks among the all-time UD leaders with a .533 save percentage mark. He was the model of consistency, turning back 184 shots as a sophomore in 2009, 187 as a junior in 2010, and 179 as a senior in 179.
Fossner and his wife, Allison, live in Wilmington, Delaware with their sons, Julian and Lane.
