Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Zollinger Named Head Coach at Shippensburg
2/14/2017 12:20:00 PM | Field Hockey
Syracuse field hockey assistant coach Tara Zollinger has been named the head coach at Shippensburg University, the defending NCAA Division II Champions, the school announced on Tuesday.
Zollinger has spent four seasons with the Orange as its recruiting coordinator, where she has brought in world-class talent that has helped the program reach new heights under head coach Ange Bradley. Highlighted by the 2015 NCAA Championship, the first in program history and by any women's program at Syracuse Unversity, Zollinger helped lead the Orange to back-to-back NCAA Championship game appearances in 2014 and 2015.
The ACC regular season champions in 2015, the Orange have posted the best record in ACC play – widely considered the nation's best conference – among any of the league's schools in Zollinger's tenure. 'Cuse has also hosted four-straight NCAA Tournament first and second rounds in Zollinger's time with the program, which is the nation's longest active streak.
"I congratulate Shippensburg on their ability to identify and recognize the talent and intangibles Tara has to offer as a coach," Bradley said. "She is a committed and dedicated professional. Although a very sad day for our Syracuse hockey family, it is also a very happy day. I am proud to have been a part in mentoring Tara to her coaching dream of becoming a head coach. While I am sad to lose such a talented, engaging person on my staff, I wish her nothing but happiness and success and thank her for all she has done for us here at 'Cuse."
In addition to her recruiting responsibilities, Zollinger worked with the attack, on offensive and defensive penalty corners and was a key component in developing the technical skills of the Orange freshman upon their arrival to Syracuse.
A native of Jeannette, Pa., Zollinger came to SU in 2013, along with fellow assistant Allan Law, after being a part of two national championship (2010, 2011) and two ACC championship (2009, 2010) teams at Maryland. The Terrapins made it to the Final Four in all four years of her collegiate career.
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Zollinger has spent four seasons with the Orange as its recruiting coordinator, where she has brought in world-class talent that has helped the program reach new heights under head coach Ange Bradley. Highlighted by the 2015 NCAA Championship, the first in program history and by any women's program at Syracuse Unversity, Zollinger helped lead the Orange to back-to-back NCAA Championship game appearances in 2014 and 2015.
The ACC regular season champions in 2015, the Orange have posted the best record in ACC play – widely considered the nation's best conference – among any of the league's schools in Zollinger's tenure. 'Cuse has also hosted four-straight NCAA Tournament first and second rounds in Zollinger's time with the program, which is the nation's longest active streak.
"I congratulate Shippensburg on their ability to identify and recognize the talent and intangibles Tara has to offer as a coach," Bradley said. "She is a committed and dedicated professional. Although a very sad day for our Syracuse hockey family, it is also a very happy day. I am proud to have been a part in mentoring Tara to her coaching dream of becoming a head coach. While I am sad to lose such a talented, engaging person on my staff, I wish her nothing but happiness and success and thank her for all she has done for us here at 'Cuse."
In addition to her recruiting responsibilities, Zollinger worked with the attack, on offensive and defensive penalty corners and was a key component in developing the technical skills of the Orange freshman upon their arrival to Syracuse.
A native of Jeannette, Pa., Zollinger came to SU in 2013, along with fellow assistant Allan Law, after being a part of two national championship (2010, 2011) and two ACC championship (2009, 2010) teams at Maryland. The Terrapins made it to the Final Four in all four years of her collegiate career.
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