BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a national search, Lehigh has named Kelsi Lykens as its new field hockey coach. A Pennsylvania native, Lykens comes to Lehigh from the University of New Haven, where she built the program from the ground up from its inaugural season in 2017.
 
"I am honored to be named the next head field hockey coach at Lehigh University," Lykens said. "I want to thank Joe Sterrett, Sue Troyan, Stacy Shiffert, and Stephanie Palmieri for this phenomenal opportunity. I look forward to working with an athletic department and coaches who value personal growth, professional development and leadership. I am eager to build upon the foundation and culture that the team has worked so hard to build over the last several years. It is an exciting time to be a Mountain Hawk and I am grateful to be a part of it."
 
In six years at New Haven, Lykens oversaw the growth of a program that culminated in appearances in the Northeast-10 playoffs in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Chargers won 19 games over the last two seasons after winning just seven in their first three years of varsity competition.
 
The 2022 campaign saw Lykens coach New Haven's first two NFHCA All-Americans in Taylor Geaglone and Sophie Schreck. Geaglone was also recognized as the Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
 
In all, Lykens mentored 14 All-Conference players and seven NFHCA Senior All-Star Team selections at New Haven.
 
Following the 2022 season, Lykens was also honored by her peers with the NFHCA's first ever President's Award, which recognizes non-board members who demonstrate exceptional service to the NFHCA and their fellow coaches through committee service and other initiatives. 
 
At New Haven, Lykens' student-athletes also achieved in the classroom. New Haven won the NFHCA National Academic Team Award in five straight seasons. Forty-three student athletes landed on the NFHCA National Academic Squad since 2018 including 14 Scholars of Distinction.
 
"The search committee reviewed a very qualified applicant pool for the head coach position, which is a testament to the hard work and success of Caitlin Dallmeyer and the student-athletes she coached during her tenure as our program leader," said Stacy Shiffert, Associate Director of Athletics who served on the search committee with Deputy Director of Athletics Sue Troyan and field hockey alumna and Athletics Partnership Representative Stephanie Palmieri '07.  
 
"I believe Lehigh field hockey will continue to experience athletic success through Kelsi's leadership. Kelsi spoke about the qualities she values as a coach; building relationships, integrity, growth mindset and a love for the game all which correlate to our mission and vision as an athletic department.  In addition to all of that, she has a great appreciation for the academic focus of student- athletes."
 
Prior to building the program at New Haven, Lykens spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University. She began her college coaching career at her alma mater, West Chester University, where she helped lead the Golden Rams to a PSAC championship in 2014.
 
In addition to her collegiate experience, Lykens also coached for a local club field hockey team in Connecticut for the last four years as a U14, U16, and U19 coach. She has also attended various professional development opportunities such as the Women Coaches Academy in 2015, the Women's Coaches Leadership Forum in 2015 and 2016, and the Women's LeadHERship Symposium in 2018.
 
Lykens was a highly-decorated player at West Chester, earned back-to-back Division II first team All-America honors in 2012 and 2013. also named the Division II Field Hockey Athlete of the Year following her senior campaign and helped lead the Golden Rams to national titles in 2011 and 2012. Lykens was also named a field hockey nominee for the Division II Honda Sports Award. She finished her career at West Chester ranked first in the program's Division II history with 29 career assists. Lykens also is ranked third in WCU's Division II history in career goals (33) and ranked second in career points (95).
 
The Mohrsville, Pa. native earned a bachelor's degree in professional studies with a minor in health and professional education in May 2014. 

Lykens takes over a Lehigh program that is coming off a Patriot League championship season in 2022. The Mountain Hawks claimed their first league title since 1994 and made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
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