Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin
Nelson-Nichols Accepts Head Coaching Position With U.S. National Team
12/23/2019 3:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
Nelson-Nichols led the Lions to 41 victories during her five-year stint as head coach.
NEW YORK – Caroline Nelson-Nichols, head coach of the Columbia field hockey program for the past five seasons, has accepted the same role with the United States National Field Hockey Team, USA Field Hockey announced today.
"We are very appreciative for all of Caroline's hard work during her years at Columbia and wish her and our national team great success," Columbia Athletics' Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling said. "We will conduct a nationwide search for a strong and innovative field hockey coach who can help our program achieve our competitive goals. The search will commence immediately. In the interim, assistant coaches Sam Fahey and Katie DeSandis will manage the program and assist with the coaching transition."
A former U.S. National Team member and two-time Olympian, Nelson-Nichols compiled 41 victories with the Lions, including the first two wins over ranked opponents with upsets of No. 22 Boston University and No. 24 Maine in 2019.
"It has been an honor and privilege to lead the Columbia field hockey program for the last five years," said Nelson-Nichols. "I have seen tremendous growth in the young women in this program and I look forward to everything they will achieve in their time with Columbia and beyond. Thank you to our inspiring alumnae base, dedicated parent group and incredible support staff for everything you do for our program. I will be forever grateful for the belief that Peter Pilling and the athletics administration had in me and this team. I look forward to following the future successes of this program and these talented young women."
Columbia's talented and youthful squad, which featured six underclassmen in the starting lineup, played one of the top schedules in the nation this past fall. The Lions faced nine opponents ranked in the NFHCA Coaches Poll at some point in the season and three that reached the NCAA Tournament. All but one of the Lions' games in 2019 were decided by two or fewer goals.
Under her direction, Columbia had 16 All-Ivy League and nine NFHCA All-Region selections, including three in 2018 to tie a program record. Nelson-Nichols coached three of the finest scorers in Columbia history in Maeve Doherty '18CC, Christina Freibott '16CC and Katie Ruesterholz '17CC. The latter two set the school's career point records in back-to-back seasons.
Additionally, several Lions have gone on to compete on the national stage with three student-athletes competing at the Young Women's National Championships. Doherty was placed on the U.S. National Indoor squad from 2015-16 and Kelsey Farkas and Allison Smith gained spots with U.S. Team Selection Camps, which took place earlier this month.
Nelson-Nichols was named head coach of the program in May of 2015 after spending three years on the sidelines as an assistant coach.
For the latest on Columbia field hockey, follow @columbiafhockey on Twitter, @columbiafh on Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
"We are very appreciative for all of Caroline's hard work during her years at Columbia and wish her and our national team great success," Columbia Athletics' Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling said. "We will conduct a nationwide search for a strong and innovative field hockey coach who can help our program achieve our competitive goals. The search will commence immediately. In the interim, assistant coaches Sam Fahey and Katie DeSandis will manage the program and assist with the coaching transition."
A former U.S. National Team member and two-time Olympian, Nelson-Nichols compiled 41 victories with the Lions, including the first two wins over ranked opponents with upsets of No. 22 Boston University and No. 24 Maine in 2019.
"It has been an honor and privilege to lead the Columbia field hockey program for the last five years," said Nelson-Nichols. "I have seen tremendous growth in the young women in this program and I look forward to everything they will achieve in their time with Columbia and beyond. Thank you to our inspiring alumnae base, dedicated parent group and incredible support staff for everything you do for our program. I will be forever grateful for the belief that Peter Pilling and the athletics administration had in me and this team. I look forward to following the future successes of this program and these talented young women."
Columbia's talented and youthful squad, which featured six underclassmen in the starting lineup, played one of the top schedules in the nation this past fall. The Lions faced nine opponents ranked in the NFHCA Coaches Poll at some point in the season and three that reached the NCAA Tournament. All but one of the Lions' games in 2019 were decided by two or fewer goals.
Under her direction, Columbia had 16 All-Ivy League and nine NFHCA All-Region selections, including three in 2018 to tie a program record. Nelson-Nichols coached three of the finest scorers in Columbia history in Maeve Doherty '18CC, Christina Freibott '16CC and Katie Ruesterholz '17CC. The latter two set the school's career point records in back-to-back seasons.
Additionally, several Lions have gone on to compete on the national stage with three student-athletes competing at the Young Women's National Championships. Doherty was placed on the U.S. National Indoor squad from 2015-16 and Kelsey Farkas and Allison Smith gained spots with U.S. Team Selection Camps, which took place earlier this month.
Nelson-Nichols was named head coach of the program in May of 2015 after spending three years on the sidelines as an assistant coach.
For the latest on Columbia field hockey, follow @columbiafhockey on Twitter, @columbiafh on Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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