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2025 NFHCA Division I Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year

Dec 5, 2025 | 2025-2026, Division I, News

2025 Regional Coaching Staff of Year

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Five Division I coaching staffs have been recognized as their respective region’s 2025 NFHCA Coaching Staff of the Year. Each of the honorees were selected by a majority vote of their regional colleagues.

Mid-Atlantic Region

Princeton University

Carla Tagliente, Dina Rizzo, Pattie Gillern, Pat Harris
  • Captured the 2025 Ivy League Tournament Championship title.
  • Finished the 2025 season with an 18-4 overall record and 14 consecutive wins heading into the NCAA National Championship contest.
  • Secured the NCAA national runner-up finish following a relentless double-OT showdown in the national final.
  • Ranked No. 4 in the nation for goals-against average at just 0.89 and No. 6 in the nation for winning percentage on the season (0.818).

Mideast Region

Yale University

Melissa Gonzalez, Kerry Kiddoo, Belle Bressler
  • Closed the season at 12-6 and ranked No. 12 in the NFHCA National Coaches Poll.
  • Earned an at-large bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament — the program’s first NCAA appearance.
  • Posted an 8-1 non-conference record, including three wins over top 15 RPI opponents.
  • Recorded the third-highest single-season win total in program history (12).

Northeast Region

Harvard University

Tjerk van Herwaarden, Lauren McNally, Kiley Allen, John Griffin
  • Claimed the 2025 Ivy League regular season title with a perfect 7-0 record in Ivy League regular-season play.
  • Finished the season 19-2 with 17 consecutive wins.
  • Advanced to the 2025 NCAA Semifinals for the second time in school history.
  • Ranked No. 2 in the nation for goals-against average at just 0.74 and No. 3 in the nation for winning percentage on the season (0.905).

South Region

University of North Carolina

Erin Matson, Caitlin Van Sickle, Manual Garcia Nieto, Romea Hutchison, Scott Sherban, Garyn Berry
  • Concluded 21-2 campaign on the season, securing the ACC Championship and a share of the regular season ACC title.
  • Advanced to the 2025 NCAA Semifinals.
  • Notched 10 victories over top 15 opponents.
  • Ranked No. 3 nationally in goals per game (3.74) and scoring margin (2.47) and No. 2 in winning percentage (0.913).

West Region

Northwestern University

Tracey Fuchs, Georgia Holland, Will Byrne
  • Claimed their second straight NCAA Natty Champ title in a thrilling double OT win, securing their third national title in the last five seasons.
  • Swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles.
  • Closed the year at 22-1, going undefeated against all Big Ten opponents.
  • Ranked No. 1 nationally in winning percentage (0.957) and scoring margin (2.82), No. 3 in goals-against average (0.77), and No. 4 in goals per game (3.65).

While the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) officially recognizes each institution’s field hockey coaches, the association acknowledges the important work of all staff members who contribute to a program’s success.

The 2025 NFHCA Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year will be announced on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the NFHCA Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, sponsored by AstroTurf®, during the 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention.