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LINCOLNDALE, N.Y. -- Colleen Carney enjoyed being an assistant coach with the Somers girls varsity lacrosse program last spring so much that it resulted in another coaching position.
Carney, a 2003 Lakeland alumnus and 2007 Sacred Heart University graduate, was chosen by Somers Athletic Director Roman Catalino to be the new varsity field hockey coach.
He approached us after the season and asked us if we would be interested in doing it, said Carney of Catalino. He said that Jaime (Irving) and I did a great job.
Carney, who recently graduated with a Masters in Education from Sacred Heart, and Irving, the Somers girls lacrosse coach, were teammates on the Lakeland/Panas girls lacrosse team. Carney joins Briarcliffs Danielle Fiore and Panas Rebecca DiSisto as former Lakeland field hockey greats in their first year as a varsity coach.
Even though Carney enjoyed coaching girls lacrosse, she admits field hockey is still her passion. And why not, Carney was an outstanding player for Lakeland field hockey coach Sharon Sarsen. Carney was a take-charge center midfielder who was excellent both offensively and defensively. She had a tenacity that could not be matched.
As my as I love lacrosse, I always had it in the back of my head that I wanted to be a field hockey coach, said Carney, who coached the Sacred Heart club field hockey team while in graduate school. Jaime joked around with me all of lacrosse season that I should be the field hockey coach. Jaime and I have been friends since seventh grade. This is perfect.
Carney is off to an excellent start her team as many of the players were on the lacrosse team last spring. Even with the familiarity of the girls, Carney said the first day was a little nerve-wracking.
The girls have expectations of you and you of them, but I could see they are completely looking forward to the season, Carney said.
Playing for Sarsen has helped prepare Carney for this. In fact, Carney was working at Sarsens summer camp, along with many Lakeland field hockey alumni, including Andi Coiro, a captain and key player on the 2003 Class A state championship team, and Fiore, also a captain and MVP of the 2003 state final four.
I am still learning so much from Sars, Carney said. Its incredible for me to say that I am still part of the program and that is because of her.
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