Women's Lacrosse
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- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- womenslacrosse@liberty.edu
- Phone:
- (434) 582-2144
- Start Date:
- 09/16/2015
Nina Dunay joined the Liberty lacrosse coaching staff as an assistant coach in September of 2015 after a distinguished five-year playing career (2011-15) for the Lady Flames.
Dunay, an Ashburn, Va., native, assists in recruiting, team travel, practice planning and works with the Lady Flames' offensive attack.
Since joining the staff, Dunay has coached 19 Big South All-Conference selections, six ASUN All-Conference recipients and two Big South Freshman of the Year honorees (Kayla Foster in 2016 and Carly White in 2017).
In 2024, the Lady Flames finished the season with a 6-12 (3-3 ASUN) record and concluded their season in the semifinal round of the ASUN Championship. Liberty received four selections to ASUN All-Conference teams.
Liberty collected a 12-7 record in 2023 and reached the ASUN Championship title game for the fourth consecutive year. Liberty secured the ASUN regular season title with a 7-0 conference record. The Lady Flames achieved their first-ever win over a ranked program, besting No. 21 Jacksonville. No. 1 seed Liberty 14-13 in overtime to No. 2 seed Jacksonville in the ASUN Championship title game. Liberty secured 10 or more wins for the fifth consecutive season.
In 2022, Liberty posted an 11-8 record and reached the ASUN Championship title game for the third straight year. The Lady Flames defeated Virginia Tech for the first time in program history, earning a 15-14 overtime win over the Hokies in Blacksburg. Liberty has won 10 or more games in four straight full seasons. Liberty finished first in the nation in caused turnovers per game (13.58) in 2022 and ranked fourth nationally in ground balls per game (20.89).
In 2021, Liberty finished with a 10-9 mark and reached the ASUN title game. The Lady Flames bested High Point 15-13 in a regular season game for their second victory in program history over the Panthers. Liberty concluded the year fourth in the country in caused turnovers per game (12.26) and fifth in ground balls per game (21.47).
In 2020, Dunay and Liberty posted a 3-3 record in a season that was cut short.
In 2019, Liberty enjoyed the best season in program history with Dunay on staff, posting a 14-5 overall mark and 5-1 mark in the ASUN in its first year in the new league. The 14 wins were a program record, while the Lady Flames ended the year at No. 31 (out of 116 teams) in the final NCAA Women’s Lacrosse RPI listing, the best mark in program history. The Lady Flames earned the No. 2 seed for the ASUN Lacrosse Championship and reached the ASUN title game in their first year in the conference.
The 2019 season also saw the team lead the nation in caused turnovers per game (15.78) for a second straight season. The Lady Flames also ranked eighth in the country in ground balls per game (21.53), 13th in scoring margin (5.00), 14th in scoring defense (9.11), 18th in shots per game (33.63) and 20th in scoring offense (14.11). Liberty had six ASUN All-Conference selections, including first team members Carly White and Brianna McCaffrey. Additionally, Liberty led all ASUN teams with 10 weekly award winners (offensive and defensive player of the week).
In 2018, the Lady Flames had a historic season with Dunay on staff, posting a 13-5 overall mark and 6-1 record in the Big South. The 13 overall wins are the second most in school history, and the six conference wins is still a program record. Additionally, Liberty reached as high No. 37 (out of 115 DI teams) in the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse RPI and closed the year in the No. 38 slot. The Lady Flames also defeated several schools for the first time in program history, including: Arizona State (first-ever win over a Power-5 conference school), East Carolina, Mercer, Old Dominion, Robert Morris and William & Mary.
The 2018 season also saw the squad ranked No. 1 in the nation in caused turnovers per game (14.28), No. 2 in ground balls per game (23.78), No. 4 in shots per game (36.11), No. 9 in shots on goal per game (25.94), No. 17 in scoring defense (9.78) and No. 20 in scoring margin (3.67). Liberty matched a program record with seven Big South All-Conference selections. Additionally, 10 Lady Flames were named either the Big South Offensive or Defensive Player of the Week or Freshman of the Week during the course of the season, led by Brianna McCaffrey, a four-time Defensive Player of the Week.
When she graduated, the Liberty lacrosse program career leader in goals (128), shots (279) and games played (75). She currently ranked fourth all-time in points (175), is tied for fourth in games started (70), sixth in caused turnovers (80) eighth in draw controls (122), eighth in assists (47) and ninth in free-position goals (20).
Dunay was a Big South Conference first team selection in 2015 and second team selection in 2013 and 2014. She also garnered VaSID All-State second team distinction in 2014 and 2015 and IWLCA Academic Honor Roll distinction in 2015.
She graduated from Liberty in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in sport management. She earned her master's degree in executive leadership in 2016.
Dunay currently resides in Lynchburg, Va.
