Class, character and success building W&J into national field hockey power
Washington & Jefferson’s Ashley Overton waits to go back in the match Tuesday against Wooster at Cameron Stadium. Head coach Jomara Coghlan keeps watch on the action.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington & Jefferson’s Reghan Dunn (6) sits with teammates as she listens to her coach during halftime Tuesday in a match against Wooster at Cameron Stadium.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Steam rises off of Washington & Jefferson’s Alana Boyd Tuesday during a timeout against Wooster at Cameron Stadium.
The 10 female figures on the Cameron Stadium turf seem to move as one, flowing from side to side, following the hard, plastic ball.
It might be compared to a dance, without the music. Except this is not a time for fun and frivolity. It’s midgame and the Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team is in the midst of a close one against Utica.
On this day, however, the defense stands its ground, the offense produces the goal it needs, and the goalkeeper stands taller than her 5-10 frame.
While this is taking place, the glue for the project, head coach Jomara Coghlan, stands along the sidelines directing the sequence with a deft hand.
The swarming defense makes Alana Boyd’s sixth goal of the season stand for a 1-0 victory over Utica in the Empire 8 Conference and school-record 10th shutout of the season.
Coghlan, who was a goalkeeper on her high school team on Long Island, fell in love with the sport later in life, at age 32. Fortunately for W&J, the epiphany came and because of it, a program has soared.
“I was working in the business world and wondering why every morning I would wake up and not be as happy as I should be,” Coghlan said. “I went to Long Island and I usually try to visit with my high school coach. She told me she was having a camp and her goalkeeper coach backed out. She asked me to do it. I said, ‘I don’t know.’ She said I’ll pay you double what you make in a week at work. I said,’OK.’ And within five minutes, I realized this is what I should be doing. The light bulb went on.”
It’s been a long trip for Coghlan but now, with improvement each season, she has established one of the top programs in the country at W&J.
How far has the program progressed in a sport that has similar traits to street hockey and soccer?
In its first year of existence in 2002, a few years before Coghlan dropped her bags in Washington, W&J’s field hockey team was not only winless but outshot 277-9 in an 0-9 season. This year, the Presidents are 13-0, 6-0 in the Empire 8, and enjoying their first national ranking – they’re 18th in the nation – in program history.
So what’s the secret to building a winner?
“It’s about the culture,” Coghlan said. “It’s about what you want your program to be. Our motto is ‘Class, Character and Success.’ It means we play with class whether we win or lose. There are a lot of character traits I hope to instill in my players. And we want success in the classroom and on the field. You have to have players buy into that. I’ve been blessed to have attracted players who believe in that and embrace it.”
That success has been a valuable recruiting tool, drawing talent from across the country. None is more impressive than senior defender Rachel Buyan, who went to high school in Huntington Beach, Calif.
“In California, field hockey is non-existent in colleges, so I had to look out East,” said Buyan. “I got a brochure in the mail (from W&J) and that’s how I found it. What makes it special here are your teammates. You kind of become like family.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Rena Israel, a 5-10 sophomore, has stood taller than a Trump wall model this season, recording nine of the 10 shutouts. Israel has allowed only two goals in 778 minutes, helping W&J lead the nation in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts per game. Israel came from a high school – North Allegheny – that has a larger enrollment than W&J.
“I tried soccer but I didn’t like it. I’m not the best at running,” said Israel. “So, I went to a field hockey camp and they said, ‘Who wants to try goalie?’ I raised my hand. I started in sixth grade.”
Boyd is another national recruit, making her way from Alexandria, Va. The senior began her career as a defender but shifted to forward. The 5-2 dynamo is second to Buyan (12) in scoring with six goals.
“I came up here for a visit and immediately loved it,” said Boyd. “I like the intensity and strategy involved. A lot of people might not think there is a process but it’s actually very strategic where we pass and how we pass. We went to the first round of NCAAs last year and we definitely could have beaten (Centre College of Kentucky). The expectations are higher.”
Coghlan, a three-time Empire 8 Field Hockey Coach of the Year (2007, 2010 and 2017) is in her 12th season at W&J with a 150-71 record after last night’s 2-1 overtime win against Wooster. She has two conference titles to her résumé, the latest coming last season. W&J reached the Empire 8 Tournament in 10 of her 11 seasons and Coghlan is hesitant to look anywhere but the next game.
But the players understand the importance of going at least one step beyond last year’s first-round loss in the NCAA championships.
“We’re looking to win the championship again,” said Israel. “We want to do better than last year, win the (conference) championship and make it (at least) to the second round of the playoffs.”