Castleton alumna Emily Douglas is entering her fifth year at the helm of the Spartan field hockey program.
In her fourth season leading the program, Douglas guided the Spartans to one of their most successful campaigns in recent history, finishing with an impressive 16-5 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in Little East Conference play. Castleton advanced to the LEC Championship game for the first time under Douglas, ultimately falling to Keene State, 3-2.
The 2024 season was highlighted by multiple individual honors. Jess Smithson was named the Little East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, earned First Team All-LEC recognition, and was selected to the NFHCA All-Region First Team. Peyton Richardson also had a standout season, earning First Team All-LEC honors and a spot on the NFHCA All-Region Second Team.
In her third season at the helm, Douglas led the Spartans to an overall record of 11-8 and a conference record of 3-3. The Spartans made their second Little East Tournament appearance in a row under Douglas, and were eliminated in the semifinals. Under Douglas Emily Harris earned NFHCA Third Team All-American recognition, NFHCA All-Region First Team honors, NFHCA Senior Team honors, and repeared as the Little East Offensive Player of the Year. Under Douglas, Jess Smithson was named to the All-LEC First Team, with Amelia Wilson, Frouke Adriaens, and Peyton Richardson being named to the All-LEC Seocond Team.
In her second season at the Spartans' head coach, Douglas led the Spartans to their third Little East Tournament appearance where the Spartans captured their first Little East Championship. The team went on to make an appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, for their first appearance since 2013 Emily Harris earned the Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Year honor, as well as being named to the All-Little East Conference First Team. Kaitlin Bardellini also earned First Team honors. Amelia Wilson earned the Little East Conference's 12-Player award for her positive contributions on and off the field under Douglas.
In her first season as the Spartans' head coach in 2021, the team went 7-11 overall while posting a 5-5 conference record. Under Douglas' leadership, sophomore Emily Harris earned NFHCA Third Team All-American, Little East Conference Rookie of the Year, and NCAA Statistical Champion honors with 30 goals and 64 points in 18 contests. Junior Kaitlin Bardellini joined Harris in conference recognition as an All-LEC Second Team selection and was 18th in the nation with 0.61 assists per game.
As an assistant coach with the Chargers from 2018-20, Douglas helped lead the budding program to its inaugural victory on October 2, 2018 over Mercy College. Two freshmen, Taylor Geaglone and Alexis Rider, were named to the Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team with Geaglone earning a third team all-conference spot. The 2019 season saw the team more than double its win total from the previous season to win a school-record five games, including its first-ever shutout with a 1-0 victory over Southern Connecticut State. New Haven also won back-to-back contests for the first time in program history and set a new school record for scoring, burying four goals against Molloy. Junior goaltender Natalie Shaker and sophomore defender/midfielder Taylor Geaglone both earned All-NE10 Third Team honors.
During her time as a Castleton student-athlete from 2015-18, Douglas spent three seasons as a key member of the field hockey team. After being named to the All-North Athletic Conference First Team as a junior, the Brandon, Vt. native experienced a breakout senior campaign and was named the 2017 NAC Player of the Year. Lowell also collected All-NAC First Team, NAC Player of the Week, and Longstreth All-East honors along with being Castleton's 2017 Field Hockey MVP.
Douglass received a B.S. in Sport Administration from Castleton University in 2018 and an MBA from the University of New Haven in May 2020.
