Sutherland selected to lead Raiders field hockey program

NASHUA, N.H. – Rivier University has announced the hiring of Hayley Sutherland as its new Head Field Hockey Coach, Director of Athletics Jonathan Harper announced on Monday.

Sutherland comes to campus from Worcester State University where she served as the Head Coach of her alma mater's field hockey program. She guided the team to a 29-13 (.690) overall record in her two seasons at the helm, compiling a 19-5 (.792) record in the competitive Little East Conference.

"I am looking forward to building upon Maura Ellins' success with the Rivier field hockey program," said Sutherland. "Rivier is a special university that is investing in its students, and I am looking forward to being a part of that."

In 2023, the Lancers posted the nation's eighth-best save percentage (.826) and limited opponents to just 1.71 goals per game, the best figure in the Little East. The season prior, Sutherland mentored the LEC Defensive Player of the Year and coached 10 All-Conference performers in her two years with Worcester State.

"We are pleased to welcome Hayley to campus as our Head Field Hockey Coach," said Harper. "After a distinguished career as a student-athlete, she continued her success as the Head Coach at Worcester State. Our student-athletes at Rivier will benefit from her experience, dedication and leadership and I look forward to working with her."

Sutherland began her coaching career in 2018 as an Assistant Coach at Fitchburg State, working with the field hockey program for two seasons. Joining the Lancers in 2021 as the Head Field Hockey Coach, Sutherland was also an Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach for the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Off the field, she was employed as an Academic Advisor at Worcester State, counseling first-year students in that role.

"I am extremely thankful for all the relationships at Worcester State that I have fostered both as a student-athlete, and then later as a coach," said Sutherland. "They will hold a special place in my heart for years to come."

As a two-sport student-athlete with the Lancers, Sutherland was a three-time All-Conference field hockey student-athlete and was named LEC Player of the Year in 2017. The first in program history to earn All-America honors, Sutherland was also a two-time All-Region selection by the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA) and a team captain as a senior.

As a midfielder and a defender, Sutherland played in 71 career games and racked up 13 goals with nine assists for 35 points (13-9=35), totaling six defensive saves as well. She also competed for the Worcester State women's lacrosse program for four seasons as an undergraduate, graduating in 2018 with a degree in Public Health and a concentration in Psychology.

Sutherland becomes the first single-sport, full-time Head Coach in the history of the program. She takes over the coaching reins from Ellins, who will continue to pilot the women's lacrosse team at Rivier. Ellins was also selected as Rivier's Senior Woman Administrator, an NCAA representative whose designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in the leadership and management of college sports.