"With UPRISE, I can't wait to learn from all the amazing coaches involved, so I can pass on the knowledge to other coaches and players. I'm excited to help make the field hockey in South Jersey the BEST there is and give each player the confidence they need to perform their skills at perfection."

U16 Coach​

​

Becky Petit​

Devon Bell

U14 Coach

Beth Anne Strittmatter

Playing Experience: 

  • Eastern Regional High School (2006-2010, 4x State Champion)
  • Futures Elite Member
  • The University of North Carolina (2010-2012, 2x ACC Champion, 2x NCAA Runner-Up)
  • Monmouth University (2014)

Coaching Experience:

  • College Camps (UNC Field Hockey Camp, Arte Duke Field Hockey Camp) 
  • Spirit of USA coach (2012-13)
  • Balance Field Hockey Training Coach (2011-Present)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Melanie recalls her greatest field hockey moment during her freshman year of high school. She had two defensive saves to help Eastern beat top Pennsylvania competitor, Emmaus High School. This moment is special to her because she was playing along side her two older sisters, Meghan and Hannah. Melanie, being the youngest sister, felt she finally was on her sisters' level of play!

Interests and Hobbies: 

     When she's not coaching field hockey, Melanie likes to spend majority of her time catching up with her large family and playing with her puppy, Oliver. She also enjoys a strong cup of coffee with a butter croissant and finding new crafts to conquer!

Field Hockey Club

Jade Dixon

"There is so much I cannot wait to achieve with UPRISE. I look forward to helping young ladies refine their skills and help them understand team concepts, which will bring their game to the next level. Also, I am excited to work with the talented staff and watch UPRISE rise to the top!"

​​​U12 Coach​

"I am looking forward to molding young players' minds to work hard, develop game sense, and teach them new skills. There is always something new to learn in field hockey, and I want to teach these girls the things that will make them successful!"

Carly Celkos

​

Playing Experience: 

  • Eastern High School (2014-2017, 4x State Champion, Captain Junior & Senior Year)
  • Futures Elite Member
  • Providence College (2017-2018)
  • LaSalle University (2019-present)

Coaching Experience:

  • ​Summer Camps (Little Risers, Badger Summer Camp, Competitive Edge)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

      Cassie's favorite memory was from her sophomore year at Eastern, when they beat the #2 team in the nation, Episcopal Academy,  8-0 at home surrounded by supportive friends, family, and administrators!  It was by far the most fun game she has ever played. It was even more exciting because she was able to do this with the most dedicated teammates, she she still considers good friends, and the coaches that always wanted the best for them!

Interests and Hobbies:

​     In her free time, Cassie likes going to the beach, working out and handing out with her family, friends and dog! She also enjoys doing volunteer at work at events for special needs children and adults.

   

Playing Experience:

  • Eastern High School (2009-2012, 4X State Champion)
  • Penn State University (2013-2016; Big Ten Champions 2013, 2016)
  • U17 and U19 National Team Member
  • USA Women's Developmental Squad Member (2017-2018)

​Coaching Experience: ​

  • Penn State University Camps and Clinics 
  • Kean University Assistant Coach (2017, 2018)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

    Carly's greatest moment was winning the Big Ten Tournament her senior year at Penn State. They beat Maryland on their home turf to win! The entire weekend was full of competitive field hockey and memories with her teammates that she will never forget. 

​Interests and Hobbies:

     Carly will receive her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Kean University this January.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and traveling. 

UPRISE Field Hockey Club Coaches 

                  Goalkeeping Coach

"I am so excited to coach with UPRISE. I look forward to seeing the girls blend together as a strong unit. It is going to be so great to see them grow not only as a player, but as a person. I can't wait to see their faces in the many moments of success they will experience. This will be a great year!"

Playing Experience:

  • Moorestown High School (2002-2005, 2x State Champion)
  • Futures Participant
  • Spirit of USA
  • The University of Delaware (2006-2009), CAA Conference Champion - 2009
  • Active player in multiple adult and co-ed leagues (She loves field hockey!)

​Coaching Experience: ​

  • Moorestown Field House (2015-present)​
  • University of Delaware Camps

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

      As a defender, Cassie didn't score many goals in high school so one of her greatest memories is from the semi-championship game her senior year. She was moved up to right forward and scored her first hat-trick.  She had another big memory that week in her last field hockey game against Ocean City.  It was the longest game of her life because it went into double overtime, and then finally a stroke out.  Though this was a tough loss, she still has positive memories thinking back to this match because she and her teammates displayed physical/mental toughness and she remembers the fun times, and the hard work it took to make it to that game.

​Interests and Hobbies:

     Cassie loves spending time with her family.  She has three sisters, loving parents, and some adorable nieces. She loves playing all games and sports, and her other big hobby is singing.  She is always singing in the car and around the house and she performed with an a cappella group at UD.

Kelsey Mitchell

​​Playing Experience:

  •  Eastern Regional High School (2011-2014, 4x State Champion)
  •  University of North Carolina (2015-2016, ACC Champion)
  •  Rutgers University (2017-2019, 2X All Region, All-Big Ten, 2x Big Ten Player of the Week, 2X NFHCA National Player of the Week, Pre-season Player to Watch, Academic All-Big Ten, NFHCA Senior Game Selection, All ECAC Team, 1st Team All-Region (Mid-Atlantic), 2nd Team All-American)

  •  USA Junior National Team (2010-2013)

​Coaching Experience: ​

  • USFHA Futures (2017)
  • Mid-Jersey Knights Club Coach (2017-2018)
  • College Camps (UNC, Rutgers)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     ​Austyn's greatest high school moment was winning the State Championship and TOC all four years, as well as breaking multiple national scoring records her junior and senior year. Her greatest college moment was making it to the NCAA tournament with Rutgers for the first time in 32 years, going through 4 knee surgeries and multiple facial fractures senior year, but finishing the season with a mask and being selected to play in the NFHCA Senior All Star Game. 

​Interests and Hobbies:

     In her spare time, Austyn loves going to the beach, coaching, hiking trails and spending time with her family and friends!

                                  U19 Coach​

" I am so excited to be a coach for UPRISE! I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and passion for field hockey in order to help younger players reach their field hockey goals and dreams. I can't wait to learn and work with the rest of the UPRISE staff to RISE my coaching skills as well!"

Playing Experience: 

  • Shawnee High School (1998-2001)
  • Was an active participant in Futures
  • Played for the club Spirit of USA
  • Selected to the U-16 National Team​
  • Villanova University 

Coaching Experience:

  • Futures goalkeeping coach
  • Seneca High School assistant varsity coach (2008-2009)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Becky says her proudest moments of the game happen when she is coaching and witnesses successful plays from her goalkeepers.      ​

Interests and Hobbies:

     When she is not coaching, Becky is usually spending time with her family. They enjoy riding bikes around town, playing in the backyard, and sitting at their fire pit at night. Becky also enjoys reading  and creating digital scrapbooks!

U19 Coach​

​"I am really looking forward to being with UPRISE coaches and players who share my passion for the game of field hockey.  It is exciting to be a part of something that is going to establish a culture of success!"

U14 Coach

​“I love coaching for Uprise because I get to be apart of so many players’ lives. I see so many talented players develop their skills and achieve their goals; that is what makes it worthwhile.”​

U16 Coach​

“I am so excited to coach with Uprise because it is a privilege to be apart of so many players’ lives and athletic journeys, as they strive to reach their potentials. As a coach, I look forward to positively impacting the growth and development of my players, as not only athletes on the field, but as young women off the field. I am also looking forward to the positive impact that my players and Uprise coaching staff can have on my own growth and development as a coach!”



​

​Austyn Cuneo

​U16 Coach​

"I am looking forward to coaching UPRISE and seeing the development of the girls, growing the game of field hockey and promoting the love of the sport, so they will love it as much as I do!"


​​Cassie Kincaid

Goalkeeping Coach​

“ I love coaching UPRISE because it allows me to guide players along their field hockey journey while sharing my knowledge and passion of field hockey. It’s great to see the girls apply new skills to their game and it is up most rewarding to see them do it with confidence. I am so excited to be working with other great coaches and I can not wait to expand my knowledge because of them!



          Gloria Byard

        U12 Coach

Alex Pecora (AP)

​U19 Coach​

"I am so excited for the opportunity to be able to coach and empower these female athletes with UPRISE.  I can't wait to learn and develop along with so many talented players, and give every player the confidence to perform at the highest levels."


"I am looking forward to coaching tremendous athletes and helping them achieve their goals. I am also excited to enhance my knowledge of the game through coaching with the UPRISE coaching staff."

Playing Experience: 

  • Eastern Regional High School (4x State Champion)
  • ​Was an active participant in Futures
  • Played for the club Spirit of USA
  • Kent State University (2010-2013, 3x MAC Champion)

Coaching Experience:

  • Gibbsboro Middle School Coach (present)
  • Eastern Regional High School junior varsity coach (2015-2016)
  • Stow High School in Ohio (Head Coach, 2014)​

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Alyssa's greatest field hockey moment was winning four straight State Championship titles with Eastern Field Hockey. From her freshman year to her senior year, Alyssa remembers the pride and joy she felt after each victory. Additionally, the onset of victories, which began freshman year, introduced her to acquaintances that shared a common interest: field hockey. Through her journey, those acquaintances built a bond of sisterhood. To this day, her Eastern teammates are her nearest and dearest friends. 

Interest and Hobbies:

     Alyssa enjoys crafting in her spare time. She likes to craft things that inspire her love for interior design. Don't be surprised to find one of her projects on Pinterest.

Playing Experience: 

  • Eastern High School (2010-2014, 4X State Champion_
  • Futures Elite Member
  • Spirit of USA Club Member
  • Rutgers University (2014-2018)

Coaching Experience:

  • ​Gibbsboro Middle School, Head Coach (2018-present)
  • Summer Camps (Little Risers, Competitive Edge)​

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Jade's greatest field hockey moments have been tied to her role on the field, from her freshman to senior year seasons, on the Eastern Field Hockey team. As not only an individual player, but as a team, they enjoyed a lot of success, learned a lot of a lessons, and experienced camaraderie like no other, as they won four consecutive state champions, in addition to the title of #1 in the nation. It was during these moments that she  began to learn what she was capable of, and she established a greater sense of self.

Interests and Hobbies:

     As a current grad student in education, Jade enjoys working with and teaching children, to assist in their growth as confident and competent individuals. In her spare time, she enjoys watching TV shows and movies, spending time with her family/friends, and spending time at the beach.

 

​​​​Playing Experience:

  •  Bishop Eustace Preparatory School (2009-2012, 2X State Champion)
  •  USFHA Futures Elite Participant

  •  Spirit of USA FH Club Member
  •   University of Iowa (2013-2017, Big Ten Champion Runner Up)

​​​Coaching Experience: ​

  • Bishop Eustace Preparatory School Assistant Coach (2019)
  • University of Iowa Summer Camp (2013-2017)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

​     AP's greatest field hockey moment was receiving the Dr. Christine Grant Leadership Award in my junior and senior years at the University of Iowa. Dr. Christine Grant was a pioneer for gender equality in sports, and it was an absolute honor to accept a leadership award bearing her name.

​Interests and Hobbies:

     AP enjoys working out and staying competitive by trying to beat her half-marathon times every year. She is also in her third year of law school, so you can catch her in her free time studying for the bar exam!

Playing Experience: 

  • Cherokee High School (2005-2009)
  • Ball State University (2009-2012)

Coaching Experience:

  • Cherokee High School Head Coach (2016-Present)
  • Field Hockey Club of South Jersey Rookie Coach of the Year (2016)
  • Spirit of USA coach (2013-2015)​

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Devon says her greatest hockey moment was when she was a freshman and her varsity team tied Eastern High School for the first time in many years. It was even more memorable because she was the one who tied it.

Interests and Hobbies: 

     Devon enjoys sitting on the beach and running her nonprofit organization, Power Forward. Power Forward helps fund underprivileged student-athletes participate in travel sports. 


                        Kristina Foster

                                   U14 Coach

"What I look forward to with Uprise is working with the youngest players who want to be part of a new tradition, who want to learn, and who want to win. Starting from the beginning with a new club/new team brings fresh, new traditions that can be a pivotal moment in a young player's life. I look forward to teaching the game, teamwork, and professionalism to future National Team members."

Cassie Grossmann

Playing Experience: 

  • Glassboro State College (1972-1976)
  • National Squad Member (1974-1978, toured Trinidad Tobago and Barbados)

Coaching Experience:

  • Haddon Heights High School Head Coach (2018-present)
  • Selector and coach at National Level, including Developmental Camps
  • ​Garden State Games coordinator
  • ​Started the field hockey program at Salem Community College (1980-1985)
  • ​New Jersey HS All Star Team coach, toured England in 1985
  • Byrd's Field Hockey Day Camp
  • ​High School Head coach at Highland HS (1987-1989), Glassboro HS (1989-2013), Timber Creek HS (2014-2016)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

​     Gloria's most memorable field hockey moment is from the time when she was selected to the United States National Team, which was set to tour Trinidad Tobago and Barbados. Her next favorite moment comes from coaching at Glassboro High School in 2008 when they earned the rights to play in States! 

Interests and Hobbies:

​     Gloria loves to shop, ride her bike, and work on her yard. She loves supporting her grandkids in the various activities they partaken in. But most importantly, Gloria truly loves to help others in any way she can. 

Playing Experience: 

  • ​Shawnee High School
  • Active member in Futures and club programs 
  • University of Maryland 

Coaching Experience:

  •  Seneca High School Head Coach (2018-present)
  •  La Salle University (2011- 2018)
  • Yale University  (2010-2011)

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:​

Kristina's greatest memories come from being a Terp and experiencing two National Championship teams, being a runner up to a National Championship, and being a sweet sixteen finalist. She says winning is great, but sometimes- with even the greatest talent- you can fall short of what was, at the time, the most important dream of your life. Not qualifying for the Final Four the year after being a National Champion was unforgettable for her and her team. Kristina stated, "the atmosphere, the comradery the hours on and off the field, the willingness to do anything for the teammate next to you... that's what takes you across the finish line. Being declared a National Champion was the most sensational moment of my life, but it doesn't come overnight."

Interest and Hobbies:

Kristina ​enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. 

Alyssa McFerren



Melanie Dawson

U19 Coach

Playing Experience:

  • Shawnee High School (4-year varsity squad, senior year Captain) 
  • Shippensburg University (4-year varsity squad, senior year Captain) 

​Coaching Experience: ​

  • Shawnee High School coach, 1992-2002 (8 years varsity assistant; 2 years head coach) 
  • Seneca High School varsity coach, 2003-2009
  • Former Futures coach
  • Stick Stars Program coach, 2000-2015

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Beth Anne has two favorite field hockey moments in her career. The first was winning a New Jersey State Championship with Shawnee High School in 1983, when Liz Tchou and Lori Bruney were her captains. The second was when she was coaching at Shawnee in 1998 and won the State title. 

​Interests and Hobbies:

     Beth Anne is an english teacher at Seneca High School. She says being in the classroom is one of her favorite things. Along with field hockey, Beth Anne has coached youth basketball and softball. When she isn't teaching or coaching, she is spending time with her husband and four incredible daughters. 

​Playing Experience:

  • Eastern High School (2006-2009)
  • The University of Iowa (2010-2013)

​Coaching Experience: ​

  • Ocean City High School Head Coach (2017-present)
  • Cedar Creek High School Assistant Coach (2016)
  • Eastern High School, Assistant Coach (2015) 

Greatest Field Hockey Moment:

     Kelsey's greatest field hockey memories are from her senior seasons, both at Eastern High School and at Iowa. During her final season at Eastern, Kelsey and teammates enjoyed a lot of success and she remembers play-off victories the most vividly, capped off with another Tournament of Champions title. At Iowa, Kelsey greatest field hockey memory is the Big Ten Tournament at Ohio State, where she and teammates beat Michigan and Penn State for the first (and only) time in her college career before falling short in the Big Ten Title game.

​Interests and Hobbies:

 Kelsey teaches 8th grade Special Education at Ocean City Intermediate School.  She loves her job! When she is not teaching or coaching, Kelsey spends time with her family and enjoys being outside.