Kyle DeSandes-Moyer Named Kent State Field Hockey Coach
1/25/2019 4:53:00 PM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio – Kent State University announced the hiring of Kyle DeSandes-Moyer as its seventh head field hockey coach on Friday, Jan. 25.
"We are thrilled to bring Kyle to Kent State," said Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. "She brings a passion for the game to Kent State with proven success at developing a program. We are confident Kyle can continue to build upon Kent State field hockey's winning tradition along with continued academic success."
DeSandes-Moyer brings an extensive coaching résumé, coming to Kent State after serving as the head coach at LIU Brooklyn since December 2016, where she was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2017.
While at LIU Brooklyn, DeSandes-Moyer demonstrated success in building a young program, taking an inaugural team that finished the 2016 season without a win to a second-place finish in the MAAC and an appearance in the conference tournament in 2017.
"I am honored and grateful to be named the next field hockey coach at Kent State University," said DeSandes-Moyer. "My mission is to continue to build upon the legacy of winning and bring the program back to the NCAA tournament. I am excited to become a part of the Golden Flashes history and to bring my passion for the game to Kent."
Prior to her stint at LIU Brooklyn, DeSandes-Moyer served as an assistant coach at Virginia Wesleyan, where she contributed in all aspects of the field hockey program, including analyzing game film, recruiting, and organizing tournaments and clinics. While with the Marlins, she helped the program to its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament appearance since 2011 and coached three All-ODAC selections.
DeSandes-Moyer also spent time as an assistant coach at Goucher College, assisting with practice and game-day strategy. In 2014, she helped lead the team to its first winning record since 1995.
DeSandes-Moyer's background stretches from her four-year playing career at the University of Pennsylvania. A 2013 graduate, DeSandes-Moyer was a four-year letter winner for the Quakers. She was a three-time member of the NFHCA All-Academic Squad and received the Diane Angstadt Award, given to the team's most inspirational player. She went on to obtain her Master of Science from Johns Hopkins University, concentrating in education, during her time at Goucher.
In addition to her collegiate experience, DeSandes-Moyer has coached club field hockey teams including the Warhawks Field Hockey Club in Baltimore, Md. She holds a Level II coaching accreditation from USA Field Hockey and coaches with the Futures Development Program. She also serves as the young alumnae representative for the Penn Field Hockey Board.
"I would like to thank Joel Nielsen, Amy Densevich ( Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator) and the entire search committee for the opportunity to join the Golden Flashes family and for believing in my vision for Kent State field hockey," DeSandes-Moyer added. "Kent State is a special place with demonstrated success, and I am excited to become a part of it."
What They Are Saying About Kyle DeSandes-Moyer
"Kyle is passionate, hardworking and high achieving. Her love of the game and drive to success is contagious. There is no doubt in my mind that Kent State is a program on the rise. The women in the Kent State program are so fortunate to have such an incredible role model in a Head Coach. I wish Kyle and The Golden Flashes the best of luck!"
-Colleen Fink, Head Field Hockey Coach at University of Pennsylvania (DeSandes-Moyer's collegiate coach)
"Kyle is a young enthusiastic coach eager to leave her mark in the field hockey coaching world. She cares deeply about the athletes she mentors and is truly passionate about athlete development through sport. Kyle understands what it takes to build a program and I think she will do great things for the Kent State family and team. I am excited to see where Kent State Field Hockey goes with Kyle's leadership."
-Caroline Nelson-Nichols, two-time Olympian and Head Field Hockey Coach at Columbia University
"As an alum and coach, what Kent State represents to me reaches far beyond the field. Kent State field hockey grows you as a person, shapes your character, and builds lifelong friends and family. I'm excited for the next chapter with Kyle at the helm to push Kent State to the next level while instilling all the values that we all hold dear to us."
-Carli Figlio, Kent State University field hockey alum, Head Field Hockey Coach at Monmouth University
