'My dream job, that’s for sure': Worcester State grad Sophia Monopoli is excited to coach field hockey at alma mater
Sophia Monopoli was a senior on the most successful field hockey team in Worcester State history, the 2019 squad that set a school record for wins, goals and points, captured the Little East Conference championship, and made the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Her best memories of her four years at Worcester State, though, aren’t all about the statistics and victories.
“The friendships and connections I made still stand today,” Monopoli said. “That says something about the program. There is a culture, a vibe, a bond in Worcester State field hockey.”
Monopoli, who grew up in Worcester and graduated from Holy Name High, is thrilled to be returning to her college alma mater. Worcester State recently named Monopoli its new field hockey coach.
“It was my dream job, that’s for sure,” said Monopoli, who was previously an assistant at Fitchburg State. “I feel very lucky and very welcome to be back. It’s crazy to be on the other side now after playing here for four years.”
Monopoli replaces Hayley Sutherland, a 2018 Worcester State graduate who departed to take the head job at Rivier University after a successful two-year run (29-13) guiding the Lancers.
“Sophia continues the great success we have had recently of hiring field hockey coaches who had formerly been associated with the Lancers field hockey team in some capacity,” Worcester State director of athletics Michael Mudd said. “Combined with her experience as an assistant coach at the college level and her familiarity with the MASCAC and Worcester State, I have no doubt that she will be successful in this role and the strong culture that the team possesses will remain intact.”
This season, Worcester State field hockey will compete in the MASCAC and vie for the conference’s first NCAA automatic qualifier.
Monopoli proudly pointed out that she is one of three Holy Name graduates coaching MASCAC field hockey. Kayla Quinn is the head coach at Fitchburg State and Carden (Maloney) Brown at Westfield State.
The Lancers return a solid group from last year’s 14-7 team. Practice starts Saturday.
“I know from playing them at Fitchburg State that (Worcester State) is a very good team,” Monopoli said.
Monopoli, who also serves as a head coach for Level Up Field Hockey in Worcester, played in 70 games for the Lancers and finished with 21 goals and 18 assists.
“Sophia worked very hard during her playing career at Worcester State and developed into a very important player in the program’s success,” Mudd said. “She was loved by her teammates and coaches for her team-first mentality, positive attitude and work ethic. I have no doubt these attributes will rub off on her players moving forward.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester State grad Sophia Monopoli is excited to coach field hockey at alma mater
