NFHCA Proudly Announces 2024 NFHCA Division I Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year

Dec 6, 2024 | 2024-2025, Division I, News

Regional Coaching Staff of the Year(2)

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Five Division I coaching staffs have been recognized as their respective region’s 2024 NFHCA Coaching Staff of the Year. Each of the honorees were selected by a majority vote of their regional colleagues.

Mid-Atlantic Region

Saint Joseph’s University

Hannah Prince, Mark Wadsley, Maggie Dickman, Beth Riley
  • Led Saint Joseph’s to its first-ever NCAA National Championship game and final four appearance as well as its first-ever national seed and hosting privileges for the NCAA Tournament
  • The Hawks won a program-record 20 games
  • The Hawks won their fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 title
  • Saint Joseph’s earned its highest-ever NFHCA Coaches Poll ranking, finishing the season at #3
  • Led A10 Conference in goals and points per game and ranked third in nation for goals per game (3.38) and points per game (9.54)

Mideast Region

University of Connecticut

Paul Caddy, Sarah Mansfield-Lahl, Chrissy Davidson Arisco
  • Named the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year
  • Won the program’s 21st regular season and Big East Tournament Championships
  • Coached six players to NFHCA All-Region teams
  • Coached the Big East Offensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Midfielder of the Year

Northeast Region

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Barb Weinberg, Holly Turbill, Simon van de Loo
  • Head Coach Barb Weinberg named 2024 Atlantic 10 Coach of The Year
  • Staff led Minutewomen to a 17-6 record, including an undefeated 7-0 mark in Atlantic 10 play
  • Earned program’s 27th overall NCAA Tournament bid, marking the first appearance of Weinberg’s tenure and Massachusetts’ first since 2016
  • Reached first NCAA Division I final four since 1992 and fifth overall in program history
  • Led UMass to first NCAA Division I Elite Eight since 2013
  • Won first Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship since 2014

South Region

University of North Carolina

Erin Matson, Caitlin Van Sickle, Manuel Garcia Nieto, Romea Riccardo, Scott Sherban, and Garyn Berry
  • Led the team to a 20-1 record and a nation’s best 28th NCAA final four appearance
  • Won the program’s eighth straight and record 28th overall ACC tournament championship
  • Coached their team to being the best in the nation in goals per game (3.86), points per game (11.24), scoring average (4.05), scoring margin (3.50), and goals against average (0.50)
  • Six Tar Heels were named to the 2024 NFHCA All-Region Teams
  • Tarheel Ryleigh Heck named 2024 ACC Offensive Player of the Year

West Region

Northwestern University

Tracey Fuchs, Georgia Holland, Will Byrne
  • 2024 NCAA DI National Champions
  • Team boasted a 23-1 record, best in program history
  • Best start to the season, with 19 consecutive wins
  • Second-consecutive B1G title with perfect 8-0 record and undefeated at home with 22-game home win streak
  • Ranked second in the nation in goals per game (3.58) and led the nation in total goals scored (86) and winning percentage (.958)
  • Eight Wildcats were named to 2024 NFHCA All-Region Teams

The 2024 NFHCA Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year will be announced on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the NFHCA Hall of Fame reception sponsored by AstroTurf® at the 2025 NFHCA Annual Convention.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.