Kyle Bernlohr took over the Saint Ignatius Lacrosse program in August 2022. In nine seasons in the Premier Lacrosse League, Bernlohr was one of the most decorated goalies in the country. In February 2025, he announced his retirement from the PLL, finishing his career with 898 saves (13th all-time). He was a three-time champion and six-time all-star. Bernlohr just concluded his third season with the Wildcats in 2025.
Bernlohr is familiar with the Saint Ignatius Lacrosse program as a former student-athlete and goalie coach at Western Reserve Academy. The Wildcats and Pioneers are a staple for lacrosse in the Midwest and have had plenty of memorable games.
The Wildcats continue to be a powerhouse in Ohio and the Midwest for Lacrosse. The Akron native is one, if not the best, lacrosse goalie in the country. He played his college career at the University of Maryland and finished his career with the Terrapins, ranked 10th in saves with 373. He went on to be drafted by the Ohio Machine for the PLL.
During his time at Maryland, Bernlohr would be a two-time All-American. In 2015, he would be an Ensign C. Markland, Jr. Award recipient, awarded to the Nation's Most Outstanding Goalie.
In 2017, the Ohio Machine drafted Bernlohr with the 11th overall pick in the second round. In his coaching career, Bernlohr has been a member of the Cleveland State, Bellarmine, and Western Reserve Academy staffs. In 2022, Bernlohr was named MSLA Assistant Coach of the Year at WRA.
In his first year at the helm for the Lacrosse Cats in 2023, Bernlohr would lead the Wildcats back to the Final Four and win the program's fifth OHSAA Regional Championship.
After falling in the Regional Final in 2024, the Wildcats would get past North Canton Hoover to win the program's sixth OHSAA Regional Championship, and return to the State Semifinal. For the first time in Bernlohr's career, he led the Wildcats to the OHSAA State Championship after a victory over Dublin Jerome. It would be the first time since the 2018 season that the Wildcats made it to the State Final. They would finish the 2025 season as the runner-up in Division I.
The Kyle Bernlohr File
| Title |
Head Coach |
| High School |
Western Reserve Academy '11 |
| College |
University of Maryland '16 |
| Coaching Experience |
2016-2018 - Assistant Coach at Cleveland State / 2018-20 - Defensive Coordinator at Bellarmine University / 2022 - Defensive Coordinator at Western Reserve Academy |
| Professional Experience |
2017-2025 - Ohio Machine and Maryland Whipsnakes (Premier Lacrosse League) |
| Accolades |
3x PLL Champion (2017, 2019, 2020) / 5x PLL All-Star / 2022 Goalie of the Year |
| Regional Championships |
2023, 2025 |
| Record |
40-24 (3rd Season) |
(As of June 2025)
