Arielle DeSmet enters her fourth season as assistant coach in 2026-27.
DeSmet helped lead the Lions to their most wins in program history in 2025-26 with 14. The Lions posted three shutouts, with goalie Madison Bowtell recording her first career shutout in a 3-0 win at RIT on October 31, 2025 where she made 39 saves. Lexington Secreto picked up the other two shutouts throughout the season, and Lindenwood finished the year with a team GAA of 3.15, which was their lowest in a single season since the 2018-19 season (2.78). The Black and Gold also picked up their first postseason win since March 2, 2017 as they finished as the number three seed in the Atlantic Hockey America Playoffs and defeated number six seed Robert Morris in the AHA Tournament Quarterfinal Round by a score of 3-1 on February 21, 2026.
In 2024-25, Lindenwood finished with a record of 5-26-5, and a 4-15-1 mark inside conference play. The Lions accumulated five weekly honors during the season, including two each from goalie Anna LaRose and forward Morgan Neitzke. Neitzke went on to earn second team All-Conference honors.
Under the guidance of DeSmet in 2023-24, the Lions saw immediate success, winning a program record 11 games, with seven of those victories coming at Centene Community Ice Center. Morgan Neitzke and Sarah Davies earned All-Conference honors with Neitzke garnering a first team selection. During the 2023-24 campaign, Neitzke broke seven program records and was first in the CHA in goals (24) and second in the conference in points (46). Overall, the Lions ranked second in the conference in goals per game (3.00), while topping the CHA in shorthanded goals (7) during the season.
DeSmet joins the staff after competing at Syracuse University the past two seasons following a three season stint at Robert Morris University. DeSmet is a two-time conference champion in the CHA with 2000 career saves. DeSmet was also the CHA goalie of the year, all-CHA first team, and all tournament team in 21-22, as well as being the Battle of the Burgh all-tournament team and tournament MVP.
DeSmet graduated from Robert Morris University in 2022 with a degree in Criminal Justice. She went on to pursue her Masters in Forensic Science from Syracuse.
