By Josh Wagner \/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hood College field hockey program has added former Division II National Player of the Year Jady Van Gils to its staff as an assistant coach for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Gils comes from a decorated playing background at East Stroudsburg University, where she helped the Warriors win two national championships and earn multiple conference titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said her decision to join Hood was influenced by her immediate connection with head coach Carley Shannon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought it was important to find a good connection with a head coach, and I got that great connection with Coach Carley right away from the start,\u201d Van Gils said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Gils noted that Hood\u2019s recent growth and the eagerness of the players also drew her to the position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI looked into the program and the school, and it looked like a very successful, growing program,\u201d she said. \u201cI love what Coach Carley has done. The girls are so eager to learn, which is something I love to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A native of the Netherlands, Van Gils has been involved in field hockey since childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played since I was 4 years old. I love the sport, and I coached back in the Netherlands for three to four years,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her journey eventually brought her to the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce I was 17, I came to the U.S., and it was like a dream for me as a little girl to play here,\u201d she said. \u201cAfter college, I knew I wanted to stay in the sport. I love how the U.S. cares about field hockey. I even did voluntary coaching for a local indoor club team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At East Stroudsburg, Van Gils earned national recognition. She was named National Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024 and is currently a nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are so many people out there who are deserving of that award,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on her college career, she described both team and individual accomplishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy sophomore year we won the national championship and the conference championship, and I was named first-team All-American,\u201d she said. \u201cMy junior year, we went back-to-back as conference champions and finished as national runner-up. That year, I earned a lot of personal achievements, including being a two-time national player of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, Van Gils said the coaching staff has clear expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaking it to the postseason is our number one goal,\u201d she said. \u201cCoach Carley and I have full trust in this team to be able to do it. The drive these girls have to make it to the postseason is insane.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"