Bio

Mary Clare Snediker completed her fourth season as head coach of the Western New England University field hockey program in 2018. 

Under Snediker's leadership, Western New England continued to establish itself as a CCC contender last fall. The Golden Bears finished third in the league standings and earned a spot in the CCC Tournament semifinals for the third consecutive season. Senior captain Lana Felice earned NFHCA All-Region honors in addition to collecting All-CCC first team accolades.

In 2017, the Golden Bears finished 9-10 overall and 6-6 in league play, good for fourth place in the CCC standings. Western New England nearly upset top-seeded UNE in the CCC quarterfinals on the road, as the Golden Bears led for 67 of 70 minutes before the Nor'easters equalized late in regulation and advanced in overtime. Three of Snediker's student-athletes garnered All-CCC accolades, including first team selection Samantha Krumpholz. 

The 2016 Golden Bears enjoyed their most successful season in a decade, going 10-10 (8-4 CCC) and knocking off second-seeded Endicott on the road in the CCC Tournament semifinals to reach the championship game for the first time in program history. Five of Snediker's student-athletes earned All-CCC second team recognition at the conclusion of the season. 

Snediker led the Golden Bears to an 8-10 (5-7 CCC) record in 2015, her first season at the helm of the field hockey program. Western New England finished in a tie for fourth place in the CCC standings, narrowly missing the postseason due to a tiebreaker. At the conclusion of the season, sophomores Brittany DeLima and Allison Jackson were both named to the All-CCC second team.

Western New England also excelled academically, earning a Team Academic Award from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) for posting a team GPA above 3.0 during the fall semester, while nine Golden Bears landed on the NFHCA National Academic Squad after posting GPAs of 3.30 or higher. 

Snediker took over as head coach at Western New England on Thursday, May 28, 2015.

During the 2014-15 academic year, Snediker was on the coaching staffs for the Western New England field hockey and women's lacrosse squads. She assisted with the planning and execution of daily practices during the traditional and non-traditional seasons, prepared detailed scouting reports of upcoming opponents, coached the defensive lacrosse unit and offensive strategy in field hockey.

"I am honored to be named the next head field hockey coach at Western New England University. I want to thank Coach Theulen and the WNE administration for providing me with this opportunity and for welcoming me with open arms," Snediker stated. "Having been an assistant coach at WNE for the past year, I already know how special it is to work with the Golden Bear student-athletes. The Western New England Way really resonates with my coaching philosophy. In particular, my commitment to supporting student-athletes in all areas of their lives, not just field hockey."

Prior to Western New England, Snediker served four years as a Williams College assistant coach to Alix Barrale in field hockey and with Chris Mason in lacrosse. She came to Williamstown after a year coaching field hockey and lacrosse at her alma mater, Greenwich (Conn.) Academy. Her other coaching experience includes the Nike Field Hockey and Lacrosse camps at Williams College since 2010, Purple Valley Clinics, Williams Field Hockey Camp at Greenwich Academy, and the New England Storm Club Lacrosse program.

Snediker was an offensive star with the field hockey team and a defensive standout for women's lacrosse from 2005 to 2009 at NCAA Division III Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She was a three-time All-New England Small College Athletic Conference field hockey player, finishing her career with 29 goals and serving as one of the team's captains. She also helped Women's Lacrosse to a pair of back-to-back conference championships, ending up her four years with 77 ground balls, 52 caused turnovers and 29 draw controls.

An active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Snediker received the Pamela Hoyt-Sanborn Award for contributions of sportsmanship and leadership during her time at Colby. She also was distinguished in the classroom, earning NESCAC Fall and Spring All-Academic honors and academic accolades from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association. She was chosen to play in the 2009 IWLCA Senior All-Star Classic.

Snediker, a native of New Canaan, Conn., graduated from Colby in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in business.