ELMIRA, N.Y. – Elmira College Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce has announced the hiring of Jessica Galatioto as head field hockey coach on Monday morning. Galatioto becomes the 10th head coach in the program's 23-year history after the departure of Lauren Thomas '14 earlier this spring, who accepted a head coaching position at Allegheny College.
"We are very excited to have Jess joining our department," said Faunce. "She is an experienced coach in the Northeast who has Empire 8 ties, and I look forward to having her wealth of knowledge and experience on a daily basis in our office, and on the field."
Galatioto comes to Elmira after spending the past four years (three seasons) as the head coach at Wells College in Aurora, New York. During her time with the Express, Galatioto had five players earn National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCHA) Scholars of Distinction honors, while more than 15 student-athletes earned NFCHA D3 National Academic Squad honors from the association to go along with countless Northeast Athletic Conference (NEAC) Scholar-Athlete honors.
Additionally, Wells was ranked the 4th highest academic team from the NFCHA during the 2019 season.
On the field, Samya Anderson-Victor paced the Express during the 2021 season after finishing with 199 saves between the pipes, which ranked 5th best in NCAA Division III. Under Galatioto, Wells competed in the NEAC Championship game during the 2019 season.
"I want to thank President Lindsay, Rhonda Faunce, and Erin Gehen for this opportunity to join the Elmira College community." said Galatioto "I am very excited to get working with the current student-athletes this Fall and build upon the field hockey program's strengths while finding its potential."
Prior to her time in Aurora, Galatioto was an assistant coach at St. John Fisher University during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. She helped the Cardinals to a 30-9 overall record, while in 2018, Fisher players earned five all-conference, two all-region, and one All-American award.
Galatioto earned a master's degree in teaching from Bethany College, where she served as graduate assistant coach for the 2015 season specializing in goalkeeper training. She contributed to the team's recruiting and player development goals, film study, and team operations. She was also the assistant intramural coordinator for Bethany College during the 2016-17 school year.
A native of Queensbury, New York, Galatioto earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health education from Castleton State University where she had a distinguished playing career. As a four-year member of the field hockey team Galatioto was a three-year starter in goal for the Spartans, starting all 59 games over the final three seasons while posting a record of 33-25 which helped the Spartans to back-to-back North Atlantic Conference Championships in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
The 2013-14 season was Galatioto's best season statistically as she ranked third in the NAC in shutouts (five) while tallying a 2.35 goals against average. The numbers were even better against conference opponents, as she notched a record of 9-0, allowing just five goals while boasting a goals-against average of .58. She also led the NAC in save percentage against conference opponents, posting a mark of .919. Galatioto was named to the NFCHA National Academic Squad in all four of her seasons from 2011-2014.
Galatioto has coached for USA Field Hockey Futures in the Rochester, New York region, for the Empire United Field Hockey Club, and within the Fairport Central School District. She has worked summer camps at the high school and university levels.
