Carla Flaherty has been hired by the Lasell College Athletic Department to fill the position of Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Administrator.

Flaherty comes to Lasell after a six year stretch at Bates College where she served as the assistant women’s basketball coach as well as co-head women’s soccer coach. During her tenure with the women’s basketball program, Flaherty helped the Bobcats accumulate a combined record of 104-53, coached seven all-conference players –three of which were NESCAC players of the year, and made two NCAA tournament appearances.

Coach Flaherty utilized her time at Bates to refine her coaching skills and philosophy, which centers on recruiting, scouting, and an overall commitment to scholar-athletes. She possesses the experience and knowledge to direct all aspects of the women’s basketball program at Lasell College.

Flaherty received her undergraduate degree from Bates College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric, in 2003. The Gorham, Maine native played four seasons with the Bobcats women’s basketball and softball teams, serving as both teams’ captain her senior year. She earned two first team all-conference awards from the NESCAC, first team All-New England honors, and finished her career eighth on Bates’ all-time leading scorers list with 1,143 points. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership Studies at Southern New Hampshire University.

In addition to her coaching duties, Flaherty will be responsible for Student Athlete Academic Well-Being, the CHAMPS Program, Student Athlete Mentor Program, game management, as well as other administrative duties within the Athletic Department.

Al Berger joins the Lasell coaching staff after serving as the Assistant/JV coach for the Hopkinton High School (MA) girls basketball program for the past three seasons.

During his tenure, Berger helped lead the Hillers JV program to a 42-12 record and the varsity team to three state tournament appearances.  Last season, Berger assisted Hopkinton in reaching the Division II State Semifinals at the Boston Garden, where they fell to the eventual state champion, Arlington Catholic High School.  

Coach Berger has also been a middle school baseball coach for the past three years and is pursuing his Master’s degree in Sports Administration through Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.  He earned his bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from Framingham State University in 2005.

Ashley Finnegan will begin her first season as the Lasell College assistant women’s basketball coach during the 2011-2012 season.  Finnegan comes to Lasell after Graduated from Westfield State University with a degree in Liberal Studies.

Finnegan had a decorated basketball career beginning her career as a two year starter at Mercy College, a division II school in NY, where she averaged 10.4 points and 7 rebounds per game.  In her second year at Mercy she led the team to the school’s first postseason berth in 10 years.

Finnegan finished her career at Westfield State scoring 772 points and grabbing 460 rebounds.  In her senior year she was a first team all conference selection while leading her team to a 1st place finish in the MASCAC regular season.  In addition, she ranked 9^th among NCAA division III athletes in double doubles in 19 out of her 27 games.