LAKE MARY, Fla. - Honoring the highest level of accomplishment in collegiate field hockey, Division III National Runner-Up Tufts University was named National Coaching Staff of the Year for their performance in the 2024 season.
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (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 near Orlando.
The award recognizes head coach
Tina Mattera and assistant coaches
Megan Caveny,
Katie Weber and
Troy Zirbel. Athletic trainer
Lauren Bracken also played a key role in the team's success. It's the second national coaching recognition for Mattera, who won National Coach of the Year after Tufts captured the national championship in 2012. The honor was changed from an individual award to staff recognition in 2017.
This past fall the 2024 Jumbos were the NCAA Division III National Runner-Up. Tufts won the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title for the first time since 2016. Ranked second in the NESCAC for lowest goals against average and fourth in the nation for winning percentage (19-3, .864), the Jumbos were unbeaten at home (12-0) and had a 13-game winning streak overall that included four straight wins by shootout in the regular-season finale through the NESCAC Tournament. The staff coached four Jumbos to 2024 NFHCA All-Region honors and three players to 2024 NFHCA All-American honors (most since 2016).
The team leaders had earned NFHCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors in December. Mattera was previously Regional Coach of the Year for 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2016.
Some materials used for this release courtesy of the NFHCA
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