The growing and improving Salem State women’s lacrosse program has gotten a lot of production out of Northeastern Conference products in recent years … so it makes perfect sense that their new head coach is a product of the NEC as well.
Peabody High grad Hailey Baker was elevated to head coach earlier this week, Salem State athletic director Nicolle Wood announced. Baker served as an assistant coach for the Vikings this past season and takes over for Brian Wilcox, who will remain as an assistant coach.
“Hailey has been a great addition to our coaching staff over the past year, and we are happy to have her join athletics in a bigger role,” said Wood. “Both women’s soccer and lacrosse programs knew of her success while she competed in both sports at Framingham State, and we are thrilled to now have her in orange and blue. Coach Wilcox has done a great job mentoring Hailey as she grew as a first-time coach, and we look forward to seeing how their continued leadership of the women’s lacrosse program impacts our current and future student-athletes.”
Baker will also work as scheduling coordinator for all sports at Salem State in addition to her lacrosse duties.
After graduating from Peabody High in 2021, Baker went on to tremendous success at Framingham State. She was All-MASCAC first team and the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year as a senior and graduated as one of four players in school history to record 100-plus assists. Her career totals were 80 goals, 103 assists and 183 points and she was a two-sport athlete, playing 49 games for the women’s soccer program while earning a degree in health and wellness.
Baker’s experience translated naturally to the coaching ranks. She immediately helped Salem State get off to its best ever start (8-0) and outscore its opponents 99-33 along the way. Peabody’s Siobahn Smith and Danvers natives Kaylee Rich and Jordan Turcotte are among the North Shore products who have found success at Salem State as the squad’s offensive production continues to peak.
As she takes on the new role, Baker is excited to get going.
“I would like to thank coach Wilcox for believing in me, as well as the entire Salem State Athletics Department for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program,” said Baker. “I am incredibly excited to continue working with our student-athletes and to contribute to their success both on and off the field. I look forward to supporting their growth, celebrating their achievements, and helping advance our mission.”