Marsha Fishburne Lycan '87 enters her 10th season with the Tribe women's soccer program. Lycan, who played at William & Mary from 1983-86, was promoted to associate head coach in the spring of 2022.
During the 2025 season, Lycan helped guide the Tribe to a 7-7-4 overall record and a 5-2-2 mark in CAA play as William & Mary earned a berth in the CAA Championship for the third time in the last four seasons. The Tribe posted a 7-2-1 record at Martin Family Stadium, its most home victories since 2014, and secured a postseason berth after winning five of its final seven regular-season matches.
William & Mary earned seven postseason honors from the CAA in 2025. Ellie Leffler was named the CAA Rookie of the Year and joined Mia Abbey and Gwen Doughty on the CAA All-Rookie Team. Abbey also earned Third Team All-CAA honors alongside Ivey Crain and Molly Widderich.
Lycan moved up to the full-time assistant role in 2018 to help former teammate Julie Shackford usher in a new era of Tribe women's soccer. During her tenure on the staff, Lycan has helped mentor multiple All-CAA selections, two CAA Rookie of the Year honorees, a CAA Goalkeeper of the Year and an NWSL Draft selection in Rachel Moore, who was selected by the Washington Spirit in 2024.
Lycan rejoined the Tribe in 2017 after serving as an assistant coach at the University of New England over the previous six seasons. The Nor'Easters compiled a 62-39-12 record, including three 12-plus-win seasons during her tenure. UNE was ranked as high as eighth in the region and was an ECAC finalist in 2014 and 2015. Lycan helped mentor 30 players to all-conference honors, while three players were tabbed as conference players of the year and two went on to earn All-America honors.
She also has an extensive background in youth coaching with many different groups dating back to 2001. Most recently, Lycan was the head coach for the GPS Maine U17/U18 Girls Elite Team from 2012-17. She also served as the director of coaching at the Falmouth Youth Soccer Association, where she oversaw teams and coaches for 30 boys' and girls' teams. With FYSA, she coached various levels, including leading the U9-U14 girls' teams to three straight state finals appearances from 2004-06. Lycan also served as the Director of the High School Age Girls Program for Maine Coast United from 2001-12. She led the U10-U18 girls to five consecutive Maine State Championships, a state record. She earned her NSCAA Premier Diploma in March 2011 after earning her NSCAA Advanced Diploma in May 2010. She holds a USSF National "D" License. Soccer Maine tabbed her as its Premier Coach of the Year in 2010.
Lycan appeared in 59 matches for the Green and Gold, scoring 12 goals and adding seven assists for 31 points. She helped the Tribe to the 1983 Division I ECAC Championship before leading William & Mary to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1984-86. Lycan graduated from William & Mary with a degree in psychology in 1987.
She returned to Williamsburg after raising her children in Maine for 17 years. Having grown up at West Point, her family boasts eight West Point graduates, including two of her children, Allie and Cooper, who are both Army officers. Her youngest son, Brody, is a student at the University of Maine.
