University Southern California Trojans
Caroline Steele and Jenika Cuocco Complete Apuzzo’s USC Lacrosse Staff
July 17, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse
The Trojans have added a pair of NCAA champions to the coaching staff
LOS ANGELES – USC lacrosse has hired Caroline Steele and Jenika Cuocco as assistant coaches to complete the Trojans' staff, first-year head coach Sam Apuzzo announced on Friday, July 17.
"Caroline operates at the highest level of our sport and is familiar with the insides of a championship culture," said Apuzzo. "She is an elite offensive mind, a proven program-builder, an unrivaled recruiter, and brings a championship pedigree that is exactly what we need as we build at USC. Caroline is also one of the most decorated players in Maryland history as a two-time NCAA champion, a three-time Big Ten champion, and a three-time All-American."
"I'm incredibly excited to join the USC lacrosse family," said Steele. "The athletic and academic excellence at USC is unbelievable and something I can't wait to be part of. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Sam and the talented staff she's built all while helping grow and develop such a strong group of student-athletes on and off the field. I can't wait to get to campus, to begin building relationships with our team, and to contribute to a very bright future ahead. Fight On!"
Steele spent the previous two seasons (2025-26) as director of player development at Maryland where she was a standout student-athlete for four years (2016-19). With Steele back in College Park, the Terrapins went 33-10, finished as the Big Ten runner-up twice, and reached the NCAA second round in 2025 and the NCAA national semifinal in 2026.
In her first collegiate coaching appointment, Steele served as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph's for five seasons (2020-24). The Hawks went 49-33 with Steele on staff and produced a program-best 14 wins, won their first Atlantic 10 title, and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in 2022.
As an attacker at Maryland, Steele helped the Terrapins win NCAA championships in 2017 and 2019. She was a two-time IWLCA All-American; second team as a junior (2018) and third team as a senior (2019). Steele was also a two-time Big Ten All-Conference choice (2018, '19) and a two-time Big Ten all-tournament team selection (2017, '18).
"Jenika's championship pedigree, elite goalkeeping expertise, and firsthand experience at the highest levels of our sport make her an incredible addition to our staff," said Apuzzo. "She just helped lead Northwestern to the 2026 NCAA championship and was the Big Ten tourney's Most Outstanding Player. We're looking forward to having her energy and knowledge on our sidelines and can't wait to see how she helps our student-athletes grow on the field."
"Joining USC is a dream opportunity and I'm beyond excited to be a part of such an incredible program," said Cuocco. "I'm so grateful for Sam's belief and trust in me and am looking forward to building relationships with our student-athletes and competing alongside an amazing coaching staff. I can't wait to get to work. Fight On!"
Cuocco begins her coaching career just months after she helped Northwestern capture the 2026 NCAA championship in her only season with the Wildcats. She earned IWLCA All-America second-team notice and was named to the Big Ten all-conference second team. Following her outstanding performance in the league tournament, Cuocco was selected to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team as the tourneys Most Outstanding Player. She was later selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 WLL College Draft by the Maryland Charm.
Prior to her transfer to Northwestern, Cuocco spent four seasons at Drexel (2022-25) where she was chosen to the Coastal Athletic Association all-conference first team and was the Goalie of the Year three times (2023-25). Cuocco was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List three times in her career (2024-26) and was the 2025 CAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In just her second season, she was named to the IWLCA All-America third team (2024).
The Trojans (8-9 overall, 1-7 Big Ten) finished the regular season eighth in the Big Ten standings and did not advance to the conference tournament. USC earned four home wins in the new Rawlinson Stadium including a 9-8 victory over a 24th-ranked Brown (Feb. 15). The Trojans also collected four wins on the road, which included a 15-10 decision at Oregon to conclude the season. USC had one of the toughest schedules in the nation and faced eight ranked opponents including three in a row ranked in the top 10.
For more information on the USC lacrosse team, please visit USCTrojans.com/lax. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCTrojansLax on X and Instagram.
"Caroline operates at the highest level of our sport and is familiar with the insides of a championship culture," said Apuzzo. "She is an elite offensive mind, a proven program-builder, an unrivaled recruiter, and brings a championship pedigree that is exactly what we need as we build at USC. Caroline is also one of the most decorated players in Maryland history as a two-time NCAA champion, a three-time Big Ten champion, and a three-time All-American."
"I'm incredibly excited to join the USC lacrosse family," said Steele. "The athletic and academic excellence at USC is unbelievable and something I can't wait to be part of. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Sam and the talented staff she's built all while helping grow and develop such a strong group of student-athletes on and off the field. I can't wait to get to campus, to begin building relationships with our team, and to contribute to a very bright future ahead. Fight On!"
Steele spent the previous two seasons (2025-26) as director of player development at Maryland where she was a standout student-athlete for four years (2016-19). With Steele back in College Park, the Terrapins went 33-10, finished as the Big Ten runner-up twice, and reached the NCAA second round in 2025 and the NCAA national semifinal in 2026.
In her first collegiate coaching appointment, Steele served as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph's for five seasons (2020-24). The Hawks went 49-33 with Steele on staff and produced a program-best 14 wins, won their first Atlantic 10 title, and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in 2022.
As an attacker at Maryland, Steele helped the Terrapins win NCAA championships in 2017 and 2019. She was a two-time IWLCA All-American; second team as a junior (2018) and third team as a senior (2019). Steele was also a two-time Big Ten All-Conference choice (2018, '19) and a two-time Big Ten all-tournament team selection (2017, '18).
"Jenika's championship pedigree, elite goalkeeping expertise, and firsthand experience at the highest levels of our sport make her an incredible addition to our staff," said Apuzzo. "She just helped lead Northwestern to the 2026 NCAA championship and was the Big Ten tourney's Most Outstanding Player. We're looking forward to having her energy and knowledge on our sidelines and can't wait to see how she helps our student-athletes grow on the field."
"Joining USC is a dream opportunity and I'm beyond excited to be a part of such an incredible program," said Cuocco. "I'm so grateful for Sam's belief and trust in me and am looking forward to building relationships with our student-athletes and competing alongside an amazing coaching staff. I can't wait to get to work. Fight On!"
Cuocco begins her coaching career just months after she helped Northwestern capture the 2026 NCAA championship in her only season with the Wildcats. She earned IWLCA All-America second-team notice and was named to the Big Ten all-conference second team. Following her outstanding performance in the league tournament, Cuocco was selected to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team as the tourneys Most Outstanding Player. She was later selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 WLL College Draft by the Maryland Charm.
Prior to her transfer to Northwestern, Cuocco spent four seasons at Drexel (2022-25) where she was chosen to the Coastal Athletic Association all-conference first team and was the Goalie of the Year three times (2023-25). Cuocco was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List three times in her career (2024-26) and was the 2025 CAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In just her second season, she was named to the IWLCA All-America third team (2024).
The Trojans (8-9 overall, 1-7 Big Ten) finished the regular season eighth in the Big Ten standings and did not advance to the conference tournament. USC earned four home wins in the new Rawlinson Stadium including a 9-8 victory over a 24th-ranked Brown (Feb. 15). The Trojans also collected four wins on the road, which included a 15-10 decision at Oregon to conclude the season. USC had one of the toughest schedules in the nation and faced eight ranked opponents including three in a row ranked in the top 10.
For more information on the USC lacrosse team, please visit USCTrojans.com/lax. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCTrojansLax on X and Instagram.
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 11
Thursday, April 09
Monday, April 06
