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Field Hockey

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Caroline Gillich

Caroline Gillich

  • Title:
    Head Coach
  • Phone:
    814-641-3519
  • Email:
    gillicc@juniata.edu
  • Previous College:
    Lock Haven '96
  • Juniata Record:
    End of 24th Season (262-211, 95-69)
  • Career Record:
    Same

Caroline Gillich wants her players to perform to their maximum potential, but she also wants them to have fun.  Of course, nothing is more fun than winning, which makes Juniata College's recent run of field hockey success all the more special to Coach Gillich.

The 2023 season saw Juniata double its win total from the 2022 season, picking up six wins. The Eagles attack also saw a sizable uptick, posting 1.9 games in 2023 after averaging 1.1 goals per game in 2022.

Over her 24 years on College Hill, Gillich has elevated Juniata field hockey to new levels of success, developing a program where competing for conference championships and NCAA tournament berths are the expectation, not the exception. In 2014, the Eagles finished with a record of 15-6 and won the Landmark Conference title for the first time since 2010. The team’s 1-0 double overtime win over Catholic in the championship game was also the 200th victory of Gillich’s career. Juniata hosted Gwynedd Mercy in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16. Gillich was named the Division III Coach of the Year by Synapse Sports.

The 2017 season, the Eagles qualified for the NCAA tournament after defeating Catholic 2-1 in overtime in the Landmark Conference Championship game. The team advanced to the first round of the NCAA tournment as they took on Kean.   

Her Eagles won four straight Landmark Conference titles from 2007-10, the first four of the league's existence.  Since taking the reins of the Juniata field hockey program prior to the 1998 season, Gillich's teams have posted a combined record of 253-185 and have closed the season with a .500 record or better 15 times.

But her programs are not solely about winning on the field.  Her student-athletes also excel in the classroom.  There were 13 placed on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Academic squad following the 2014 season and the program earned the NFHCA Academic Team Award.   Gillich has coached a Capital One Academic All-American, three Landmark Senior Scholar-Athletes, and four Landmark All-Academic Team selections. 

Since joining the Landmark Conference in 2007, Juniata has had 12 All-America honors, 13 all-region selections, four Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Stars, five NFHCA Senior All-Stars, nine Landmark players of the year, and 55 all-conference selections under the two-time conference coach of the year.

Juniata field hockey capped the 2010 season by winning its fourth straight Landmark Conference championship, sending the Eagles into the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in the previous eight years. The Eagles upended host College of Wooster in the first round, advancing to the second round against traditional power Ursinus College. Juniata finished its 2010 campaign with an 18-5 record, second highest single-season win total in program history.

The 2010 season came on the heels of an equally impressive 2009 campaign that saw the Eagles win their third Landmark crown as well as the program's first automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship, Juniata finished with 17 wins and four losses overall, and was undefeated in the Landmark with six wins before defeating Susquehanna, 1-0, to win conference title. The Eagles went on to traveled to Lynchburg, Va., to face Lynchburg College in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Gillich's 2008 Juniata squad repeated as Landmark Conference champions, dispatching top-seeded Catholic University (2-1) in double overtime in the championship match in Catholic's Cardinal Stadium. 

The previous season, in 2007, the Gillich-guided Eagle field hockey squad, ranked in the top 20 throughout the entire season, making program history by posting a 21-3 record on its way to the first conference championship in program history. The 2007 campaign ended with Juniata making its third appearance in the NCAA championship tournament, hosting Johns Hopkins in a first round contest, the first outdoor NCAA competition hosted by Juniata since the early 1970’s. The Eagles knocked off Johns Hopkins, 2-1, and dispatched defending national champion Ursinus College 2-0 in the regional semifinal, the program's first NCAA tournament victories. 

Gillich's 2006 squad finished with a 16-5 mark, eclipsing a school record for wins that had been set three years earlier. In 2004, Gillich guided the team to a 14-5 record, and earned the program's first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Championship. Juniata spent most of the season ranked among the top 15 teams in Division III, and went through the regular season with just one conference loss.

The 1998 team finished with a mark of 9-9 while the 2002 squad ended the season with a 13-8 record. The Eagles then posted a 15-8 mark in 2003, and qualified for the conference postseason for the first time since 1990.

Gillich came to Juniata from The College of William and Mary, where she worked primarily with the goalkeepers.

An All-American in field hockey and lacrosse at Lock Haven, Gillich was the starting field hockey goalie for the Bald Eagles in 1994 and 1995. She helped lead Lock Haven to back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships those years. In addition, she captained the 1995 unit, which went 21-0.

Gillich graduated with a B.S. in health and physical education with a concentration in sports administration in 1997. She worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center during the summer of 1996 as a program specialist. In that capacity, she organized 30 camps involving more than 500 athletes as well as scheduled facilities, housing and transportation for athletes.

In the summers of 1997 and 1998, she assisted with the Nike Sports Leadership Camps, working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Atlanta, Georgia.

Coach Gillich can be reached at gillicc@juniata.edu.

 

  • 262-211 overall record - Winningest coach in program history

  • 95-69 Conference Regular Season record 

  • 62-38 Landmark Conference record 

  • 33-31 MAC Commonwealth record 

  • 12-3 Landmark Conference Tournament record 

  • Nine Landmark Conference Tournament Appearances - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 

  • Six Landmark Conference Championships - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017 

  • Seven NCAA Tournament Appearances - 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2017 

  • One Regional Final/Elite Eight Appearance  - 2007 

  • 4-7 NCAA Tournament record 

  • Three MAC Tournament Appearances - 2003, 2004, 2006 

  • 1-3 MAC Tournament record 

  • Six ECAC Tournament Appearances - 2002, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019 

  • 23-29 overall postseason record 

  • Two-time Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year - 2009, 2010 

  • One-time MAC Coach of the Year - 2004 

  • One-time Synapse Sports Coach of the Year - 2014 

  • Five National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) DIII All-America selections - 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (2nd) 2010: Megan McGlone (2nd) 2009: Meghan McGlone (3rd) 2007: Kim Wagner (3rd) 2004: Melonie Sappe (2nd) 

  • 13 NFHCA DIII All-South Atlantic Region selections - 2017: Katie Alexander (2nd) 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (1st) 2014: Sarah Bilheimer (2nd) 2013: Emma Rahmus (2nd) 2010: Meghan McGlone (1st), Paula Price (1st), Kim Amrod (2nd) 2009: Meghan McGlone (1st) 2008: Erin Smith (1st), Meghan McGlone (2nd) 2007: Michelle Campbell (1st), Kim Wagner (1st), Heather Hassinger (2nd) 

  • Nine Landmark Conference Players of the Year - 2019: Nicole Piccioni (Defensive POTY) 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (Offensive POTY) 2013: Emma Dahmus (Offensive POTY) 2009: Meghan McGlone (Defensive POTY), Paula Price (Offensive POTY) 2008: Meghan McGlone (ROTY) 2007: Kim Wagner (POTY), Heather Hassinger (Co-Defender of the Year), Paula Price (ROTY) 

  • 56 Landmark Conference All-Conference selections - 2023: Sydney Witter (HM) 2019: Madison Miller (1sT), Nicole Piccioni (1st), Catherine Lanigan (2nd), Grace Kuszmaul (2nd) 2018: Grace Alexander (2nd), Grace Kuszmaul (2nd) 2017: Katie Alexander (1st), Meredith Shephard (2nd), Grace Kuzsmaul (2nd) 2016: Brittani LaFollette (2nd) 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (1st), Allison Groft (1st) Kelsey Leibelsperger (1st), Katie Alexander (2nd), Brittany Meier (2nd), Alex Stroud (2nd) 2014: Sarah Bilheimer (1st) Julianne Jones (1st), Kelsey Leibelsperger (1st), Allison Groft (2nd), Kortney Showers (2nd) 2013: Emma Dahmus (1st), Sarah Bilheimer (2nd), Kelsey Leibelsperger (2nd), Shelby Miller (2nd) 2012: Emma Dahmus (1st), Sarah Bilheimer (2nd), Kelsey Leibelsperger (2nd), Shelby Miller (2nd) 2011: Meghan McGlone (1st), Emma Dahmus (2nd), Kim Amrod (2nd) 2010: Kim Amrod (1st), Paula Price (1st), Moira Nugent (1st) Meghan McGlone (1st), Sam Smith (1st), Joyce Eveleth (2nd) 2009: Meghan McGlone (1st), Paula Price (1st), Kim Amrod (1st), Sam Smith (1st), Melissa Gorman (2nd), Denalyn Spratt (2nd) 2008: Erin Smith (1st), Meghan McGlone (1st), Paula Price (2nd), Abby Funk (2nd) 2007: Kim Wagner (1st), Michelle Campbell (1st), Leslie Stern (1st), Heather Hassinger (1st), Paula Price (2nd), Amanda Wimer (2nd), Abby Funk (2nd)

  • 41 Landmark Conference Players of the Week - 2019: Nicole Piccioni (Defensive 3x), Catherine Lanigan (Offensive) 2018: Olivia Marker (Offensive) 2017: Katie Alexander (Offensive), Grace Kuszmaul (Offensive) 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (Offensive 3x), Kelsey Leibelsperger (Defensive), Kylie Edwards 2014: Sarah Bilheimer (Offensive 2x), Julianne Jones (Defensive 2x) 2013: Shelby Miller (Defensive 2x) 2012: Kortney Shower (Offensive), Janelle Howard (Defensive), Emma Dahmus (Offensive), Caroline Phillips (Offensive) 2011: Caitlyn Bowman (Offensive), Janelle Howard (Defensive) 2010: Kim Amrod (Offensive), Suzi Lindquist (Offensive), Shauna Deschcenes (Offensive), Joyce Eveleth (Defensive) 2009: Paula Price (Offensive), Denalyn Spratt (Defensive 3x) Meghan McGlone (Defensive) 2008: Abby Funk (Defensive 2x), Paula Price (Offensive 2x), Kara Buda (Offensive) 2007: Paula Price (Offensive), Michelle Campbell (Offensive) Kim Wagner (Offensive), Abby Funk (Defensive 2x) 

  • Six Landmark Conference Player of the Week sweeps (Both Offensive and Defensive) - 2019: Nicole Piccioni (D) & Catherine Lanigan (O) (Oct. 14) 2014: Sarah Bilheimer (O) & Julianne Jones (D) (Nov. 3) 2012: Kortney Showers (O) & Janelle Howard (D) (Oct. 1) 2010: Shauna Deschcenes (O) & Joyce Eveleth (D) (Nov. 8) 2008: Paula Price (O) & Abby Funk (D) (Nov. 10) 2007: Michelle Campbell (O) & Abby Funk (D) (Sept. 17)  

  • Two Synapse Sports All-America selections - 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (2nd) 2014: Julianne Jones (3rd) 

  • One Synapse Sports All-Rookie Team selection - 2014: Katie Alexander  

  • Four ECAC All-Stars - 2015: Sarah Bilheimer (2nd ) 2013: Emma Dahmus (2nd) 2007: Kim Wagner (1st), Heather Hassinger (2nd) 

  • Two ECAC Players of the Week - 2014: Julianne Jones (Defensive), Katie Alexander (Rookie of the Week) 

  • 33 All-MAC selections - 2006: Bobbi Rickenbaugh (1st), Corinne Hamblet (1st), Kim Wagner (1st), Abby Funk (2nd), Michelle Campbell (2nd) 2005: Elise Zimmerman (1st), Kim Wagner (2nd), Corinne Hamblet (2nd) 2004: Grace McCloskey (1st), Billie Rickenbaugh (1st), Grace Janine Hartman (1st), Melonie Sappe (1st), Kim Wagner (2nd), Elise Zimmerman (2nd) 2003: Jean Silvey (1st), Billie Rickenbaugh (1st), Grace McCluskey (1st), Dana Groft (2nd) 2002: Jean Silvey (1st), Billie Rickenbaugh (2nd), Melanie Sappe (2nd) 2001: Jess Hebel (1st), Jen Goddard (2nd) 2000: Jen Thew (1st), Jeanean Chiusano (2nd), Liz Allard (2nd) 1999: Candy Sander (1st), Kara Elias (2nd), Danny Young (2nd) 1998: Danny Young (1st), Hope Woolcock (2nd), Becky Koch (2nd), Kara Elias (2nd) 

  • Two MAC Rookie of the Year selections - 2004: Kim Wagner 2000: Jean Silvey 

  • One MAC Player of the Year - 2006: Kim Wagner 

  • 14 NFHCA National Academic Team Awards - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 

  • Seven NFHCA DIII Scholars of Distinction - 2021-22: Lillian Case, Brooke Franke, Isabel Kruse, Tess Ledeboer, Sierra Rossman, Kalee Rothermel, Kaylyn Walters 

  • 19 NFHCA DIII National Academic Squad selections - 2021-22: Lillian Case, Brooke Franke, Katie Golden, Brenna Haggerty, Aspen Handel, Isabel Kruse, Tess Ledeboer, Miranda Madara, Audrey Marker, Morgan Martin, Brittney McMullen, Hannah Moore, Nicole Piccioni, Sierra Rossman, Kalee Rothermel, Hanne Scheel, Isabella Stranick, Kayln Walters, Sydney Witter 

  • One Capital One Academic All-America selection - 2011: Caitlyn Bowman (1st) 

  • Three Capital One Academic All-District selections - 2016: Sarah Bilheimer (1st) 2011: Caitlyn Bowman (1st) 2010: Caitlyn Bowman (2nd) 

  • Two College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women’s At-Large Team Selections - 2022-23: Brooke Franke, Kalee Rothermel 

  • Three Landmark Conference Senior Scholar Athletes - 2015: Sarah Bilheimer 2013: Emma Dahmus 2007: Michelle Campbell 

  • Four Landmark Conference All-Academic Team selections - 2012: Emma Dahmus 2010: Caitlyn Bowman 2009: Melissa Gorman 2007: Amanda Wimer 

  • 152 Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll honorees - 2023: Aimee Buffington, Lillian Case, Jane Corbin, Colleen Creneti, Brooke Franke, Siena Guttormson, Cassie Lease, Tess Ledeboer, Morgan Martin, Brittney McMullen, Sierra Rossman, Skyler Stevens, Isabella Stranick, Kaylyn Walter, Sydney Witter, Haleigh Wolverton  2022: Aimee Buffington, Lillian Case, Colleen Creneti, Brooke Franke Brenna Haggerty, Tess Ledeboer, Miranda Madara, Morgan Martin, Brittney McMullen, Hannah Moore, Sierra Rossman Kalee Rothermel, Isabella Stranick, Kaylyn Walters, Sydney Witter 2019: Grace Alexander, Sarah Alexander, Catherine Lanigan, Audrey Marker, Olivia Marker, Madison Miller, Nicole Piccioni 2018: Grace Alexander, Sarah Alexander, Catherine Lanigan, Olivia Marker, Madison Miller, Sara Mills, Lindsay Scholten, Meredith Shephard 2017: Catherine Lanigan, Katie Alexander, Lindsay Scholten, Madison Miller, Megan Martin, Meredith Shephard, Olivia Marker, Sara Mills, Sarah Alexander 2016: Elise Onjack, Katie Alexander, Lindsay Scholten, Megan Martin Meredith Shephard, Rachel Weigel, Sara Mills, Sarah More 2015: Katie Alexander, Sarah Bilheimer, Allison Groft, Kelsey Leibelsperger, Megan Martin, Sarah More, Elise Onjack, Melissa Rutherford, Rachel Weigel 2014: Sarah Bilheimer, Tori Buser, Emma Dahmus, Allison Groft, Kelsey Leibelsperger, Shelby Miller, Steph Pagliaro, Melissa Rutherford, Kortney Showers, Morgan Slovin, Alex Stroud 2013: Sarah Bilheimer, Emma Dahmus, Tori Buser, Allison Groft, Kelsey Leibelsperger, Shelby Miller, Steph Pagliaro, Melissa Rutherford, Kortney Showers, Morgan Slovin, Alex Stroud 2012: Tori Buser, Emma Dahmus, Morgan Dux, Emily Anne Moore, Caroline Phillips, Kortney Showers, Morgan Slovin 2011: Kim Amrod, Caitlyn Bowman, Emma Dahmus, Shauna Deschenes, Brittany Kauffman, Meghan McGlone, Caroline Phillips, Morgan Slovin 2010: Kim Amrod, Caitlyn Bowman, Shauna Deschenes, Joyce Evelth, Brittany Kauffman, Meghan McGlone, Caroline Phillips, Samantha Smith, Rebecca Strohm 2009: Kim Amrod, Caitlin Bowman, Kara Buda, Shauna Deschenes, Joyce Eveleth, Carolyn Gibson, Melissa Gorman, Brittany Kauffman, Suzi Lindquist, Meghan McGlone, Kelly O’Shea, Paula Price, Ellen Santa Maria, Samantha Smith, Molly Snyder, Danielle Stump, Vicky Thorton 2008: Joyce Eveleth, Abby Funk, Carolyn Gibson, Melissa Gorman, Paula Price, Bridget Rosensteel, Erin Smith 2007: Sarah Blake, Michelle Campbell, Ashleigh Ehnts, Abby Funk, Melissa Gorman, Heather Hassinger, Erin Smith, Leslie Stern, Amanda Wimer