Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/21/23 – From Press Release
Navy women’s lacrosse head coach Cindy Timchal (Haverford High) announced on Thursday the addition of Gabby Capuzzi Solomon (Archbishop Carroll) to the Midshipmen coaching staff. Capuzzi Solomon, who served as an assistant coach at Navy for six seasons (2015-20), returns to Annapolis after spending the last three seasons at her alma mater Ohio State.
“It is a true honor to return to the United States Naval Academy and the Navy women’s lacrosse program,” Capuzzi Solomon said. “Thank you to Mr. [Chet] Gladchuk and Cindy Timchal for providing me this amazing opportunity.
“I am grateful and excited to be a part of such a well-respected athletic program and academic institution once again. My previous six years in this program are some of the most cherished moments of my coaching career. I know firsthand the commitment and resiliency these female leaders bring to the classroom and the field every day. I look forward to building new relationships with the current team while reconnecting with Navy women’s lacrosse alumni and family.”
Capuzzi Solomon was a USA Lacrosse All-American in 2008 at Carroll and helped lead her team to the Catholic League championship as a First-Team Southern Division all-league pick.
Capuzzi Solomon, a four-year letter winner from 2009-12 and assistant coach from 2012-14 with the Buckeyes, spent six seasons at Navy, where she held the titles of assistant coach (2015-18) and associate head coach (2019-20). Capuzzi Solomon’s primary focus was on Navy’s defense, while she also had an active role in recruiting.
“We are thrilled to have Gabby rejoin our coaching staff as the associate head coach,” Timchal said. “Gabby’s deep understanding of the game, her ability to motivate players and her commitment to fostering a positive team culture are invaluable assets. She communicates effectively and genuinely cares for the well-being of our student-athletes. With Gabby’s support, leadership and strategic vision, we believe our program is poised for continued success, aiming for NCAA Championship-level performance. We are confident Gabby will make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve new milestones.”
A Second-Team All-American during her time with the Scarlet and Gray, Capuzzi Solomon led the Buckeyes with 42 goals, 52 draw controls, 38 ground balls and 31 caused turnovers in 2012. She ended her career as the program’s leader in draw controls (166), owning two of the top-10 single-season records in that category.
Following her playing days, Capuzzi Solomon remained with the program for the 2013 and 2014 seasons as an assistant coach. She served as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and draw specialist. In 2014, Capuzzi Solomon helped Ohio State finish 13-7 and earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Over her six seasons at Navy, the Midshipmen won 80 games and in 2017 became the first Service Academy team from a women’s sport to advance to the NCAA Final Four. Navy won Patriot League titles in 2017 and ’18 and registered at least 13 wins in every full season it played during Capuzzi Solomon’s tenure.
Despite the shortened season, the Midshipmen finished the 2020 campaign ranked No. 21 in the IWLCA Coaches Poll, extending their streak to 37 consecutive weeks in the national polls, dating back to the final rankings of the 2017 season.
Capuzzi Solomon coached Navy student-athletes to a pair of Tewaaraton Award Nominations (top 25 finalist), eight All-America selections (two IWLCA, six Inside Lacrosse), seven IWLCA All-Region accolades and three Patriot League Midfielder of the Year awards. A total of 17 student-athletes garnered 28 All-Patriot League honors between 2015-19. Her impact on Navy’s program was immediate: in 2015, her first season, Navy ranked 10th in the country in scoring defense at 7.75 goals per game. The Mids held 13 of their 20 opponents under 10 goals and 10 players finished with 10 or more caused turnovers. Under Capuzzi Solomon, Navy recorded three of the top-5 seasons in school history for caused turnovers and two of the three best performances for ground balls. In 2017 and ’18, the Mids set the school record for draw controls.
Capuzzi Solomon returned to Ohio State as the associate head coach for three seasons (2021-23). In 2021, the Buckeyes played a Big Ten-only schedule, with the slate highlighted by sweeps of a two-game series against both Michigan and Penn State. Three Buckeyes earned All-Midwest Region honors and All-Big Ten accolades, led by first team choice Liza Hernandez. The following season, Ohio State was 9-7 overall with a pair of All-Region selections and four All-Big Ten honorees. The 2023 Buckeyes faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation and ended 5-12. The squad was led by Jamie Lasda, an All-Big Ten selection, and goalie Regan Alexander, who was among the NCAA leaders in saves and save percentage.
Academically, the Buckeyes’ produced 37 Ohio State Scholar-Athletes each season Capuzzi Solomon was associate head coach. In addition, the 2021 squad had 24 Academic All-Big Ten honorees and 14 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, while the 2022 team registered 25 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 10 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
Additionally, Capuzzi Solomon served a term as the Division I representative for the IWLCA Board of Directors from 2020-23.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in strategic communication with a minor in media production and analysis from Ohio State in 2012, Capuzzi Solomon went on to graduate with a master of science in sports administration and leadership from Duquesne University in June of 2014. She completed a graduate certificate in public management from Ohio State’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs in Spring of 2022.
Her husband, Greg Solomon, was a catcher for the Ohio State baseball team from 2011-13. The couple has one son, Santino.
