Girls Lacrosse Gets New Leader in Cottrell

March 23, 2026
• Needham girls lacrosse has a new leader this spring, after going 12-7 in 2025. 

Needham girls lacrosse is heading in new direction this spring, as Gianna Cottrell takes over as the new head coach. It’s a new beginning for the Rockets, who are now nine years removed from their last state title, back in 2017.

Last season, the Rockets finished 12-7, which earned them the #15 seed in the MIAA Division 1 Playoffs. They won an exciting first round home game against Acton-Boxborough, before falling in the Round of 16 at #2 Wellesley.

In preparation for her first season leading Needham, Cottrell spoke with TNC Sports Producer Ashleigh Tobin about her background and what to expect this season from the Rockets. Click the video box below to see the story:

The highlights above ran as part of the Needham Channel News, a weekly newscast airing on The Needham Channel every Thursday at 7:30pm. The Needham Channel News can be found on the Community Channel: Comcast 9, Astound 15 and Verizon 29. Most Thursdays it also can be viewed on our HD Channel on Verizon 2129, Astound 613 and streaming on this site.