Georgetown’s field hockey team confronted a tough quandary at the beginning of August when eight-year Head Coach Laurie Carroll announced her resignation in the last week of July. Her assistant coach Homero Pardi walked away with her. Two weeks later the Hoyas announced Tiffany Marsh as the new Head Coach and Emily Beach as her assistant. “It was a little nerve racking, but at the same time it was something we didn’t really have control over, and we can’t dwell on that. It has ended up being a great situation,” said senior co-captain Deirdre McShea of the new coaching staff.
Last year the Hoyas went 5-12 overall and 0-6 in the Big East. Despite a terrible record in the Big East, the Hoyas hope to transform their game.
Marsh comes to the Hoyas with one year of coaching experience at American University. As assistant coach there she helped the Eagles to the NCAA tournament in 2006. Prior to coaching, she played four successful college seasons at the University of Maryland.
When the head coach position presented itself, Marsh was pleased to accept the opportunity. “Georgetown is great. Everyone in the administration has been fantastic. We [Marsh and Beach] have been welcomed with open arms,” she said.
While the team lost an experienced coach in Carroll, they are excited to have the young and enthusiastic Marsh on staff. “We have two new coaches that have pretty much just graduated from college. They have been at this level recently, and I think that is a good feel. We have a team that is eager to learn from them,” said McShea. “The team has been very receptive to everything that is happening. Everyone is real excited for the new season to start, to see how this is going to be different and embracing the new coaching,” added senior co-captain Lauren Sheets. “A goal that we set out in the beginning is to make the Big East Tournament. That is going to be a season long process; them getting used to us, and us getting used to them. We’re taking it game by game, having the motto of “one step at a time,’” said Marsh.
Players echo the same sentiments about ushering in a new era of Hoya field hockey. “We are very excited about a fresh change, a new start, and all the opportunities that are available,” said Sheets.
The Lady Hoyas commence their season this Saturday at James Madison.
