Hayley Sutherland ‘18 Named Head Coach of Worcester State Field Hockey

Former Lancer standout takes over reigns of Worcester State University field hockey as Alexa Carlson steps down

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that 2018 alumna Hayley Sutherland has been named the head coach of the Lancer field hockey program.

Sutherland replaces head coach Alexa Carlson, who elected to step down to focus on her family and to attend nursing school. She will stay with the program in an assistant coaching role.

“Being the head field hockey coach at Worcester State has been truly one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Carlson. “I cannot begin to articulate what this family of young women has meant to me over the last five years. We have cultivated a program that is rich in tradition and success and I have no doubt that will continue on for many years to come.” 

“Alexa did an incredible job leading our field hockey program to its first ever Little East Championship and NCAA Tournament bid,” said Michael Mudd, Worcester State Director of Athletics. “She has recently become a mom and is also taking on some additional coursework to become a certified nurse, so I certainly realize and respect that she would like to step down as our head coach. However, we are really excited that she will be staying on as an assistant coach.”

Despite only four years at the helm of Worcester State field hockey, Carlson will go down as the most decorated coach in program history. In four seasons, the Lancers went 60-22 for a winning percentage of .732, winning three MASCAC Regular Season Championships and two Little East Regular Season Championships. Her crowning achievement came in her final season, as she led the Lancers to a program record 18 wins and an LEC Championship in 2019.

In four seasons, Carlson was voted Little East Coach of the Year three times by her peers, in 2016, 2017, and 2019.

“I would like to thank our Athletic Director Mudd, President Barry Maloney, assistants Jackie Motyl and Nate O'Lari, and the rest of the athletic department for their ongoing support of our program day in and day out,” said Carlson. “We simply could not have had the success we did without them. I would also like to thank Hayley Sutherland for stepping into the role of head coach. She will be an incredible addition to the program. Most of all, I'd like to thank the student-athletes. Their hard work and perseverance through all adversity is why this program has risen to great heights and I could not be more excited to continue on this journey with them for years to come.”

Sutherland returns to Worcester State after three years as an assistant coach for MASCAC and LEC rival Fitchburg State University under fellow Worcester State alumna Kim Cosenza. Sutherland also served one year as a coach for Cape Ann Field Hockey Club after graduating from Worcester State. 

As a player, Sutherland captained the Lancers in her senior season in 2017, and was named the LEC Player of the Year and a two-time LEC First Team All-Conference selection. In her senior year, she became the first ever Worcester State field hockey student-athlete to receive All-America honors, she was named a Synapse Sports Third Team All-American. 

“Hayley was a terrific and well-decorated student-athlete for us a short time ago and she has been under the tutelage of Fitchburg State head coach Kim Cosenza for the past three years getting some valuable experience,” said Mudd. “It was important that the person that takes over the field hockey program at Worcester State was familiar with the great culture that the team possesses. Hayley had a big influence on that team’s development into a regional power and I have no doubt she will continue the team on its upward trajectory.”

“I am so honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the Worcester State field hockey program as head coach,” said Sutherland. “I am looking forward to working with these amazing student-athletes. This program gave me so much as a student-athlete and I can’t wait to give back. I’d like to thank Alexa and Michael for making me a Lancer once again.”

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