Delara transitions to volunteer role, Orioli elevated to interim head coach

Brooke Delara will move from head women's lacrosse coach into a volunteer position, while current assistant Noel Orioli will be serving as the interim head coach.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Head women's lacrosse coach, Brooke Delara, will step down as head coach, transitioning into a volunteer role for the upcoming season. Current assistant coach, Noel Orioli, will serve as the interim head coach while the Cardinals complete a search for a permanent head coach.

While Delara will be directing her focus to her position at Resolute Lacrosse, she remains loyal in her support of the Cardinals and is excited to stay an important part of the program. Orioli, the Otterbein assistant coach for the past two seasons, will lead the team at least throughout the remainder of the non-traditional season. The Westerville native and Ohio Northern graduate has been a key part of Delara's staff, seeing four all-conference honorees in 2026.

"I am incredibly grateful for my time leading the Otterbein women's lacrosse program and for the opportunity to work alongside such special student-athletes, coaches and staff," said Delara. "The last three seasons have given me experiences and relationships that I will carry with me for a lifetime, and I am proud of everything we have built together. While I am excited for this next chapter, I know this program is in an incredible spot and in great hands. The foundation is strong, the needle will continue to be pushed forward, and I have no doubt there is so much more success to come for Otterbein women's lacrosse. I will always be grateful to have been a part of this program and will continue to be one of its biggest supporters."

In three seasons at the helm of the program, Delara has led Otterbein back to a competitive force in the OAC. Last season, she led the Cardinals to a 10-7 overall record and earned a trip to the OAC Tournament Semifinals.

"Coach Delara has rebuilt this program and I believe the team is right on the cusp of breaking through for a championship," added Director of Athletics, Dr. Greg Lott. "It is important to me to keep the continuity and momentum this program is experiencing. We are lucky to have Noel [Orioli] step up in an interim capacity and lucky that Coach Delara is going to remain a part of the program as well".

Otterbein will kick off the 2027 season in February.

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