Zach Nedbalski begins his second year with Plattsburgh State in 2026.
Nedbalski coached the Cardinals to a 9-6 (4-3 SUNYAC) record, marking the program’s best overall record since 2017 and best conference record since 2019 in his second season with the team. Plattsburgh finished as the fourth seed and secured its first postseason appearance since 2019. At the conclusion of the season, Nedbalski’s squad earned three All-SUNYAC honors, the program’s highest total since 2019. Sophomore midfielder Ethan Francey earned First-Team recognition, while senior defender Kevin Murray and junior defender Fynn Whitlock garnered Second-Team honors.
In his first year at the helm in 2025, Nedbalski guided the Cardinals to a 6-8 (2-5 SUNYAC) record, recording their best overall record since 2019 and most conference wins since 2021. Nedbalski helped mentor Fynn Whitlock to All-SUNYAC honors, with Whitlock earning second-team, the first all-league honor of his career.Â
Nedbalski last coached at Methodist where he was the head coach for the program from its inception, beginning his stint there in August of 2012 and concluding his stay in June of 2023. In his time with the Monarchs, Nedbalski coached his team to the 2017 Southeast Independent Lacrosse Conference (SEILC) Championship, also earning the conference Coach of the Year Award that season. In 2019, his second season in the USA South Conference, he earned Coach of the Year honors with a 9-7 season. Nedbalski also led his team to three straight conference championship appearances in 2016, 2017, and 2018, which included the team's first season after relocating to the USA South. In addition to his Coach of the Year honors from the conference in 2017, he was also awarded the McClean Foundation Coach of the Year Award at Methodist University.
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Over 10 seasons, Nedbalski coached 15 First Team All-Conference Selections, as well as the 2016 SEILC Newcomer of the Year, the 2017 SEILC Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2023 USA South Offensive Player of the Year. In those seasons, he compiled a 77-74 record, highlighted by the 2017 Championship team that finished 15-3. He also coached 43 USA South All-Academic Team Selections from 2018-2023.
As a player, Nedbalski also played for an inaugural team, as he was part of Queen's University (N.C.) first team in 2004, a Division II program in Charlotte, North Carolina. While a player, he was a two-year captain and earned the Coach's Award in 2004 and 2007, playing in 31 games over his four-year career. In his junior season, he helped his team reach the conference championship game.
Nedbalski earned his bachelor's degree in history at Queen's graduating in 2007 and then earned his master's degree in secondary education while at Berry College.
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| Season |
School |
Record |
Pct. |
Conf./Place |
Postseason Finish |
| 2014 |
Methodist |
3-10 |
.231 |
--- |
--- |
| 2015 |
Methodist |
8-8 |
.500 |
--- |
--- |
| 2016 |
Methodist |
9-9 |
.500 |
--- |
--- |
| 2017 |
Methodist |
15-3 |
.833 |
--- |
SEILC Champions |
| 2018 |
Methodist |
6-10 |
.375 |
3-3/T-3rd |
--- |
| 2019 |
Methodist |
9-7 |
.563 |
4-3/T-3rd |
--- |
| 2020 |
Methodist |
5-3 |
.625 |
0-0 |
season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021 |
Methodist |
6-6 |
.500 |
4-4/3rd |
--- |
| 2022 |
Methodist |
9-8 |
.530 |
4-5/T-5th |
--- |
| 2023 |
Methodist |
7-10 |
.412 |
4-4/T-4th |
--- |
| 2025 |
Plattsburgh State |
6-8 |
.429 |
2-5/6th |
--- |
| 2026 |
Plattsburgh State |
9-6 |
.600 |
4-3/4th |
SUNYAC Tournament Semifinals |
| Overall |
Plattsburgh State Totals |
15-14 |
.518 |
6-8 (.429) |
|
|
Career Totals |
92-88 |
.511 |
25-27 (.481) |
|
