Kayla Wood - Women's Lacrosse Coach - University of North Carolina Athletics

Kayla Wood

Title:
Assistant Coach

Former Tar Heel standout Kayla Wood returned to Chapel Hill to join the North Carolina women’s lacrosse coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season. Wood joined in a temporary position for the 2025 season before being added to the permanent staff in June of 2025. She primarily works with UNC’s defensive unit.

During her first season on staff, North Carolina won the National Championship after going undefeated with a record of 22-0, while going 9-0 in ACC play. The Heels claimed the Regular Season and ACC Tournament Championships. With Wood guiding the defense, UNC led the country in scoring defense (6.9 goals per game), total goals allowed for anyone that played more than 15 games (151) and scoring margin (10.6 gpg). The Heels also ranked third nationally in save percentage (.508) and Betty Nelson topped the goals-against-average list at 7.37. Wood mentored six players to All-America honors, including first-team recognition for Sam Forrest and Brooklyn Walker-Welch, and Forrest was tabbed the IWLCA Defender of the Year.

Prior to coming back to Chapel Hill, Wood was an assistant coach at Princeton during the 2023-24 season. The Tigers recorded five top-25 wins and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. She also helped produce five All-Ivy League selections and the Ivy League Goalkeeper of the Year.

In Spring 2023, Wood was head coach of the Issaquah High School girls lacrosse team in Seattle. She guided the team to a 10-4-1 overall record and a berth in the state semifinals.

A defender, Wood produced a standout four-year career with the Tar Heels from 2018-21 where she appeared in 66 games. UNC reached the Final Four three times during her tenure in Chapel Hill. She was also part of three Atlantic Coast Conference Regular Season titles and three ACC Tournament championships.

Wood made history as part of the U.S. National Team that won the inaugural World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship, captaining the team in the process. She has also represented Team USA at the 2021 USA Lacrosse Fall Classic and with the U.S. training team ahead of the 2022 World Championship.

After graduating from UNC in 2021, Wood embarked on her professional lacrosse career with Athletes Unlimited where she played all four seasons. She finished her rookie season ranked sixth, having received three captaincy nods and a Defensive Player of the Year nomination.

Additionally, Wood owns and operates KW Lacrosse, a data-driven service which provides coaching and mentorship to young lacrosse players. She has also worked as a mentor with Nations United in Baltimore, serving as a coach and panelist surrounding the importance of celebrating and elevating diversity within the lacrosse community.

A native of Catonsville, Maryland, Wood graduated from UNC in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She landed on the 2021 ACC Academic Honor Roll as a senior.