ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Director of Athletics Christy Malone Fleagle has announced the appointment of Kate Cochran as the new Head Field Hockey Coach. Cochran joins the Falcons with a multitude of club coaching experience along with a NCAA Division I playing background. She will make her collegiate head coaching debut with Cedar Crest.

"We are thrilled to announce that Coach Kate Cochran is joining the Falcon family as our next Head Field Hockey Coach," said Fleagle. "Coach Kate brings an impressive background in field hockey, having played at an elite level at Towson University and excelling in both goals and assists. Her coaching experience includes leading several outstanding high school and club programs, demonstrating her deep understanding and passion for the field hockey."

In her latest role, Cochran served as the Head U19 Coach of the top squad for Marojoka Field Hockey Club, where she planned and led weekly practices, ran U16 and U19 talent assessment & team selections, and guided the team to a Gold Medal at the 2024 National Indoor Festival.

"Coach Kate will bring great energy and enthusiasm to our team, and we eagerly anticipate the upcoming season under her guidance," Fleagle continued. "Her leadership style will fit perfectly with our current team."

Cochran also spent two seasons as the Varsity Head Field Hockey Coach at Mercy High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She turned the program around from a losing season to competing in a championship game within two seasons. Cochran was also responsible for recruiting athletes and balancing scholarship distribution along with planning summer camp and offseason workouts.

Additionally, Cochran coached both the U19 and U16 indoor teams with the H20 Field Hockey Club in Baltimore for three years, leading both squads to the National Indoor Tournament. Prior to that, she began her first stint as the Head U19 Coach with Marojoka, coaching the U19 team in 2018 and 2019, qualifying for the National Indoor Tournament in both years. Cochran also had a three-year tenure as an Assistant Coach with the U16 team and helped the Club reach the National Indoor Tournament.

In the Fall of 2019, Cochran was the Director of Operations for the Towson University field hockey program. In this role, she coordinated travel, fundraising opportunities, and other events for the field hockey program. Cochran additionally traveled with the team for all away games, participated in live broadcast commentary for all home games, coordinated recruiting travel for the coaching staff, attended practices to assist with set up and equipment, and was charged with film review.

Cochran was a four-year starter and two-year captain at Towson University, where she was the leading scorer for two years. She received All-CAA Honors during her senior season, participated in USA Field Hockey High Performance Mid-Atlantic Program and also was a team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Prior to that, she was a four-year letter winner and team captain at Easton High School, capturing All-Area Honors and was named to the Keystone State Team as well as being involved in the True North and Marajoka Field Hockey Clubs.

"To be named head coach of this program is such an incredible opportunity and I cannot wait to start working with the team," Cochran said. "The girls have so much talent and I'm looking forward to working with them to bring out their best. The culture and community that I've experienced so far within the athletics department has me excited to be a part of this College and I can't wait for the season to start."

Cochran obtained a Bachelor's Degree in political science with a minor in economics from Towson University, where she was a Dean's List student, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi), and a member of the Towson Women's Leadership Collective. She also holds a Level One coaching certification from USA Field Hockey and is currently pursuing Level 2 certification. 

"We are super excited to welcome Coach Kate to our Falcon community," concluded Fleagle. "And we look forward to successful seasons ahead."

Outside of field hockey, Cochran has worked as a Senior Agency Services Coordinator at Wildtype Health Advertising Agency, a position she has held since June 2022.

Cochran inherits a program that went 6-13 overall, 2-1 in the United East Conference, and made a run to the conference championship game last season.

The Falcons' season commences on Friday, August 30 in a home game against Lycoming College at 7:00 p.m.

For the latest on Cedar Crest Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!