Bates College Women's Field Hockey

Ryder enters her second season as the head coach of the Bates College field hockey program in 2014-15 after assuming the position in June of 2013. Since taking over the reins of the Bobcats program, Ryder has instilled a new culture of dedication in the team. In 2013, Bates registered its best goals-against average since 2006 and demonstrated marked improvement over the second half of the season. Prior to Bates, Ryder served as head coach at the University of New England for two years, compiling a 29-14 record, two postseason appearances and guiding the Noreasters to the first Division III national ranking in program history. Before her stint at UNE, Ryder was an assistant coach at the University of Vermont, and at Bates NESCAC rival Tufts University before that. Representing Bates, a community and college founded in the richest traditions of exploration and intellectual growth, is an honor, Ryder said at her appointment. Having begun my coaching career in the NESCAC, I feel it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be named the head coach at Bates, and I am truly grateful. I look forward to working with the student-athletes as together we build a winning program. Ryder was cited by McHugh and the search committee for her innovative coaching, as well as her drive, intensity and enthusiasm. We were fortunate to have an extremely competitive pool of candidates, with five terrific finalists, and Dani proved to be the best of that great group, said McHugh. I am thrilled to have her join the Bates Athletics family, and look forward to the excellent coaching and leadership that Dani will bring to the field hockey program. Ryder was named the 2011 Commonwealth Coast Conference Coach of the Year, after leading the Noreasters to a program-record 18 wins against four losses. UNE began the year with 13 straight victories and appeared in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III poll for two weeks, including a No. 2 ranking in New England. The season came to a close with two overtime setbacks in the conference final (2-1 to Endicott) and an ECAC Championship semifinal (2-1 in 2OT to Mount Holyoke). Last season she led the Noreasters to the semifinals of both the CCC and ECAC tournament semifinals. A native of Gloucester, Mass., Ryder graduated from Stonehill College in 2008 with a bachelors degree in psychology. She played goalkeeper for the Division II Skyhawks, finishing her career as the teams all-time leader in shutouts and earning Northeast-10 all-conference and all-academic honors. After graduation, Ryder became assistant coach at Tufts, while earning a masters degree in child development. At Tufts, she was credited with playing a significant role in the transformation and development of the Jumbos defense, as Tufts compiled a 37-4 record with consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division III Final Four. Ryder currently sits on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee for the New England East Region. She is also director of Revolution Field Hockey Camps in Lake Forest, Ill., and Concord, Mass.