Now in her 19th season as the head coach of field hockey at Keene State, Amy Watson, who is closing in on her 250th career win this season, has developed the Owls into a top program in the region. Under her guidance, KSC has qualified for nine Division III post-season appearances, including five NCAA tournament berths (1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007), a 2003 ECAC championship, and six Little East Conference titles (1998, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007). Watson's ability to bring out the best in her team was never more evident than last season when the Owls posted a dramatic one goal double-overtime win over Southern Maine to claim the league title and NCAA bid.
A 1984 graduate of Springfield College, Watson enters the 2008 season with a highly respectable 232-122-11 career and 80-11 LEC record at Keene State. In addition to KSC's success on the field, Watson, who has been recognized four times as the LEC Coach of the Year, is equally proud of the numerous honors bestowed on her players. During her tenure, 15 Owls have been recipients of All-America honors, including Erin Dallas and Alyssa Rowell, who received the honor last season. Eight players have received LEC player-of-the-year honors, with Dallas sharing the co-offensive award and Rowell earning defensive accolades last fall. Just as important are the multiple members of the team who have received national academic honors over the years. Last season, the KSC field hockey team received national academic honors, with 10 players selected to the NFHCA All-Academic squad.
A 1986 Keene State grad, Maureen Kavanagh begins her 10th season as an assistant coach with the field hockey team. A former softball player at Keene State, Kavanagh complements Coach Watson on the sidelines. Bringing an educator's perspective to practice by planning and organizing the Owls' drills, Kavanagh has been instrumental in improving the team's fitness level. Recently named head of the physical education department at Monadnock Regional High School, Kavanagh also handles scouting assignments for the team.
Carole Kinsella returns for her eighth season as the Owls' goalie coach. In addition to her field responsibilities, Kinsella plays a key off-the-field role for the team, meeting with recruits and parents on campus and handling administrative duties for the program.
Kinsella, a native of Scituate, Mass., played at Springfield College, where she started her junior and senior seasons for the then-powerhouse Division I program.
A former four-year standout for the Owls, Carly Sweeney begins her fourth season as an assistant field hockey coach at Keene State this fall. Sweeney is involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting and scouting.
Sweeney played both midfield and back positions during her KSC career (2000-03). As a senior, she earned All-Region and All-Little East Conference honors as she helped lead the Owls to the ECAC championship. Prior to joining the Keene State team, Sweeney played at Gardner (Mass.) High, where she was named league MVP and received Central Mass. co-player of the year award as a senior.