Kyle Lyons Named Western New England Head Field Hockey Coach
Lyons brings seven years of Division I assistant coaching experience
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 5, 2019) – Western New England University has named Kyle Lyons as the 11th head field hockey coach in program history, Director of Athletics, Recreational Sport & Physical Education Matt LaBranche announced on Wednesday morning.
"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to add Kyle to our team," LaBranche said. "She has a tremendous passion for the sport of field hockey, but more importantly, an obvious commitment to developing student-athletes in a comprehensive way. That, in combination with her vast experience at the highest level of competition will serve the program well going forward. Our student-athletes will undoubtedly benefit from her mentorship."
Lyons brings 11 years of NCAA Division I field hockey experience to Western New England, including four as a student-athlete at the University of New Hampshire and seven as an assistant coach at Bryant University and the University of Vermont.
Most recently, Lyons served as the top assistant at Vermont for five seasons from 2014-19. With the Catamounts, Lyons held the role of recruiting coordinator, organized team travel and assisted with game film breakdown, analysis and scouting. She helped mentor 12 America East All-Conference selections, three NFHCA All-Region honorees and five America East All-Academic performers.
"I would like to thank Matt LaBranche, and the search committee, for this incredible opportunity," Lyons said. "I am beyond excited to become the next head field hockey coach. Western New England is a great university with a strong athletic tradition. I have so much confidence in this program and I cannot wait to get started with this group."
Lyons enjoyed a standout four-year playing career at New Hampshire from 2008-12. She was a two-time America East All-Conference first team selection and two-time NFHCA Northeast Region honoree, garnering NFHCA All-America accolades as a senior in 2011.
Lyons was a three-year starter as a defender for the Wildcats, appearing in 78 career contests with 62 starts. She compiled 58 career points with 22 goals and 14 assists. UNH reached the postseason all four years of her career, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament her junior season when Lyons helped lead the program to its first America East title since 1998.
Lyons gained her first coaching experience at Bryant from 2012-14. She also coached at the club level with Seacoast United and Green Mountain Field Hockey Academy.
A native of White River Junction, Vermont, Lyons earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from UNH in 2012.
Lyons takes over as head coach of the Western New England field hockey program following the departure of Mary Clare Snediker, who led the Golden Bears from 2015-18.
