Geissler To Coach Field Hockey

NEW PALTZ — Kristen Geissler has been named to the newly-created part-time position of head women’s field hockey and assistant women’s lacrosse coach at SUNY New Paltz.

Geissler, a 1998 Lock Haven University graduate, will have until the fall to assemble New Paltz’s first-ever field hockey team. The Boyertown, Pa. native will begin her duties with the women’s lacrosse team this spring.

“I’m very excited,” Geissler said of her appointment. “I’m a new coach, and the team is new. We can climb together.”

And she knows from experience what she’ll find when she gets there.

The field hockey team at Lock Haven is a perennial NCAA Division II power, and won two National Championships and finished second twice during her four-year playing career. This past year, as an assistant coach, Geissler helped guide the Eagles to another second-place finish in the NCAA Tournament.

“The first season I’d like us to win a few games and have fun,” Geissler said. “Eventually, I’d like to win some championships, maybe give (perennial Division III powers) Cortland and William Smith a run for their money. There are endless possibilities for our future.”

Geissler, a goalkeeper, earned All-America recognition in field hockey in 1996 and 1997, and was also an All-America selection in women’s lacrosse last spring.

“Kristen brings a wealth of experience to our already solid coaching staff,” Athletic Director Jim Zalacca noted. “As a former All-America selection in both field hockey and lacrosse, she will share her knowledge with those teams here, as well as instill the winning attitude that helped her teams at Lock Haven achieve so much success nationally.”