Lakeland University has named Alexander Pagonis as its new head women's soccer coach, Director of Athletics Dan Artamenko has announced.

A native of the state of Washington, Pagonis comes to the Muskies with 10 years as a coach including six years coaching at the collegiate level. He joins Lakeland for his first collegiate head coaching job coming from NCAA Division I Purdue University Fort Wayne, where he spent the past season.

"I am very blessed and honored to receive this great opportunity to lead the Lakeland women's soccer team as head coach," said Pagonis. "I would like to thank Athletic Director Dan Artamenko and the hiring committee for believing in me to transform this program. I am excited to not only get to work in creating change but also to be engulfed in the Muskie community that makes this university so special."

Pagonis joined the staff at Purdue Fort Wayne in June and was the goalkeeper trainer for the Mastodons' men's and women's soccer programs. The men's team finished second in the Horizon League this year and posted an 8-3-6 record overall, and PFW goalkeepers between the men's and women's teams combined for nine shutouts in the 2025 season.

Pagonis previously spent five years as an assistant coach with women's soccer programs at the NCAA Division II level, including two years at Saint Martin's (Wash.) University and 3 1/2 years at Central Washington University. At Saint Martin's he was involved in all aspects of program operations and was the program's interim head coach for three months in early 2025, and at Central Washington he coached goalkeepers and also was the program's recruiting coordinator.

Pagonis also was an assistant with the Saint Martin's women's basketball team in the 2024-25 season, aiding with a team that was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament runners up. Besides his collegiate coaching experiences, he also previously served as the director of goalkeeping for the Kittitas Valley Junior Soccer Association in Washington and coached two youth teams during his there.

Pagonis is a native of Sumner, Wash., and attended Sumner High School. He graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in sport management with a coaching specialization and a minor in psychology.

"I am excited to not only grow the Muskies program athletically but also academically and professionally, aiming to develop future servant leaders in the community," said Pagonis. "Thank you to my family and friends for their unconditional belief in me chasing my dreams. Thank you to everyone along my journey that has provided knowledge, opportunity, and unwavering support to help get me to this point in my career.

"This is an exciting time in life that would not be possible without them. All glory to God. All glory to Jesus Christ. Go Muskies!"