UCCS Athletics

Allie Popelar joined the UCCS women's lacrosse program as an assistant coach in September 2024.

A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Popelar came to the Mountain Lions program where she is currently working as the Colorado Bolts Lacrosse Girls Program Director.  As the program director, she is responsible for the development, growth and management of the region's high school and youth club teams, while developing lacrosse athletes that focuses on individual skill development and team concepts, and supporting players in the college recruiting process.  
 
The Rampart High School product returned to her alma mater as the head girls varsity and junior varsity coach for the past three seasons, leading RHS to three straight state playoff appearances from 2022-24.  In just three years at Rampart, Popelar grew the program from 15 players to a roster of 35, developing players with a wide range of experience, including players with no experience, to developing multiple players that went on to earn college scholarships.
 
Popelar was a four-year starting midfielder and draw specialist at University of Tampa from 2015-19.  A three-year team captain and the 2019 IWLCA Division II Student-Athlete of the Year, Popelar and the Spartans made the program's first NCAA Division II playoff appearance in school history in 2019 and their first Sunshine State Conference championship.  As a junior in 2018, Popelar and Tampa received their first IWLCA Top 25 ranking, followed by the school's first ever top five ranking (No. 3) in 2019.
 
In four years with the Spartans, Popelar started all 67 games she competed in, recording 46 goals, nine assists, 55 points, 110 shot attempts and 77 shots on goal, 56 ground balls, 87 draws and 46 caused turnovers.  Her 67 games started are the third most in school history and her 67 games played rank fifth all-time.  Popelar also ranks in the top-10 career record books at UT in draws (eighth) and caused turnovers (eighth).