Kelly Amonte Hiller signed a five-year extension Thursday, keeping her in Evanston through the 2015 season.

“There is no doubt as to the impact Kelly has had on the sport of women’s lacrosse and the impact that success has had on the University,” Athletic Director Jim Phillips said in a statement. “I am ecstatic about what the future holds for the Northwestern lacrosse program with Kelly at the helm.”

Amonte Hiller has been arguably the most successful coach in collegiate lacrosse over the past decade. She has compiled a 145-24 record since 2002, in the process guiding the Wildcats to five consecutive national championships. The ninth-year coach has mentored some of the sport’s top players, including two-time Tewaarton Trophy winners Kristen Kjellman and Hannah Nielsen. After being named Lacrosse Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2008, Amonte Hiller won the U.S. Sports Academy’s C. Vivian Stringer Coaching Award last year.

“The commitment that the University has made to athletics, and to our program specifically, is tremendous,” Amonte Hiller said. “Northwestern University is where I want to coach.”

– Robbie Levin