With familiarity being important, York College didn’t have to look far to find its new field hockey coach.
York athletic director Sean Sullivan announced Thursday that former Spartan Megan Eckenrode has taken over the program that begins its 40th season in September.
Eckenrode, who wrapped up her eligibility last fall, was a four-year starter in goal. She played all but 17 minutes during that span, and Eckenrode holds a number of Spartan goalkeeping records.
She finished her career with a school-record 18 shutouts and allowed just 1.52 goals per game.
During her senior season last fall, Eckenrode posted seven shutouts, a 1.25 goals-against average, and made the all-Capital Athletic Conference team.
“Megan is a highly-energetic leader with a great familiarity of the program,� Sullivan said. “Her ability to relate to student-athletes and recruits will be a positive factor for the program.�
Eckenrode has had coaching aspirations since early in her collegiate playing days and is making the jump to head coach after backstopping the team to an 11-8 record last fall.
She looks forward to having a team that returns all of its top scorers, including leaders Jami Hassler, who had nine goals, and Eastern York grad April McFarland, who had eight.
Other YAIAA alumni with the Spartans include Nicole Starner and Sarah Inskip of Bermudian Springs, New Oxford’s Chelsey Topper and Crissy Gebhart of Littlestown.
The new coach is the fifth in York College field hockey history. She replaces Allison Fordyce, who stepped down after pulling double duties as field hockey coach last fall and women’s lacrosse coach in the spring.
The move allows Fordyce to concentrate on the second-year women’s lacrosse program at York.
“Allison felt it best to focus on family and lacrosse,� Sullivan said. “We are happy to support Allison as she strives to take the lacrosse program to the next level.�
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