NFHCA Announces 2025 National Coaching Staffs of the Year

Jan 16, 2026 | 2025-2026, Division I, Division II, Division III, News

National Coaching Staff of Year

LAKE MARY, FL — Honoring the highest level of accomplishment in collegiate field hockey, Division I National Champions Northwestern University, Division II National Runner-Up Newberry College, and Division III National Champions Tufts University have been named their respective division’s National Coaching Staff of the Year for their performances in the 2025 season.

The NFHCA National Coaching Staff of the Year awards were announced Thursday evening at the Hall of Fame Awards Dinner sponsored by AstroTurf at the NFHCA Annual Convention.

Division I

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).

Division II

Newberry College

Hannah Dave, Khotsofalo Pheko, Tamsin Bangert
  • Captured both the SAC regular-season and championship titles, earned the No. 1 national seed, and advanced to the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament final appearance.
  • Powered through the season at 20-1, dominating conference play with a flawless 10-0 record.
  • Earned the NCAA Division II national runner-up finish after an overtime battle in the championship game.
  • Posted 11 shutouts and led the nation in winning percentage (0.952), scoring margin (4.20), and goals per game (5.00), while ranking No. 2 nationally in goals-against average (0.76) and shutouts.

Division III

Tufts University

Tina Mattera, Megan Caveny, Katie Weber, Troy Zirbel
  • Captured the 2025 NCAA Division III Natty Champ title, earning the program’s second national championship after securing an at-large berth.
  • Finished the season 19-3, including a 9-1 mark in conference play.
  • Placed five Jumbos on the NESCAC All-Conference Team, the program’s most since 2013, and four on the NFHCA All-Region Team.
  • Tied for No. 6 nationally in winning percentage (0.864).

Congratulations to the 2025 NFHCA National Coaching Staffs of the Year. 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.

AstroTurf

 

AstroTurf is the Official Sponsor of the 2026 NFHCA Annual Convention. With over 50 years of experience and millions and millions of square feet of synthetic turf in use worldwide, AstroTurf products bring more technological expertise and real-world know-how to the game than any other brand.