Sara Nagel is entering her fourth season as the associate head coach of the Lindenwood field hockey team in 2023.
Under Nagel, Lindenwood field hockey team compiled a record of 8-9 during its first NCAA Division I season. The Lions picked up their first victory at the Division I level, defeating Queens on October 9.
During the 2021 season, Nagel helped coach the Lions to a 6-9 record to wrap up their final season as a part of NCAA DII. The Lions boasted a strong strength of schedule, battling two top-seven teams and DI Saint Louis, which marked the first time since 2009 the Lions downed the Billikens. Lindenwood posted its seventh consecutive campaign with at least a .750 winning percentage at home, dating back to 2014. Lindenwood also topped all NCAA DII programs with a 3.67 team GPA in 2021, ranking number one on the NFHCA National Academic Team Award List. Nine student-athletes also appeared as NFHCA Scholars of Distinction, designated for individuals who earned a 3.9 GPA or higher.
The team did not compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the season, Nagel was promoted to associate head coach of the program after spending six seasons as a full-time assistant coach.
Nagel helped coach the team to an 11-7 record in 2019, as the team secured its sixth-straight season above .500. The Lions have won 11 or more games in each of the last four seasons with the help of Nagel.
The Lions notched a 12-3 mark in 2018, and statistically, the Lions were one of the top programs in NCAA Division II, leading the nation in save percentage at .835, finishing second in assists per game (2.33), fourth in scoring margin (1.93), and fifth in points per game (8.73). Senior goalie Skylar Starbeck led the NCAA with a .825 save percentage and junior forward Bridget Hoogendijk was third with 1.27 goals per game.
In the 2017 season, the Lions finished 17-2, an Lindenwood NCAA record for wins, to lead all of NCAA DII with a .895 win percentage. Goalie Starbeck led the NCAA with a 0.87 goals against average, as Lindenwood was ranked No. 8 in the final NFHCA poll.
In 2016, Lindenwood had one of the best seasons in program history with a 16-3 record. The Lions won the ECAC Tournament Championship for the first time and lost just one contest in regulation. Lindenwood led the nation in goals with 3.74 goals a contest.
In 2015, Nagel helped coach eight players to All-ECAC honors in 2015, including Victoria Gil, who was the ECAC Goalkeeper of the Year. Gil, Greta Banhozler, and Nicole Baumann were first-team selections, and five players earned second-team honors.
Joining the team in 2011, Nagel served as a graduate assistant coach with the Lions for three seasons, before being promoted to a full-time assistant coach in 2014. Nagel assisted with the instruction of four All-ECAC players in 2014, including the ECAC Rookie of the Year, Banholzer, and the ECAC Goalie of the Year, Gil. Carly Brengosz and Linda Oberle were second-team selections on the All-ECAC team.
Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Nagel was the assistant coach at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes Barre, Pa. for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, helping the team achieve its first winning season and playoff berth. Nagel also served as the U19 head coach for the Valley Styx indoor club during the 2010-2011 season. Both teams were awarded slots at the National Indoor Tournament. During the 2009-10 indoor season, she coached the U16 and U14 age groups for the same club team.
During her playing career, Nagel was a defensive midfielder for the University of Virginia Cavaliers from 2005-2007, playing in every game of the 2006 and 2007 seasons. An injury prevented her from playing in 2008. The Cavaliers played in the ACC and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2006, and the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007. Nagel graduated from Virginia with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, and received her master’s from Lindenwood in elementary education.
Nagel is a native of Swoyersville, Pa. and graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, Pa. She is married to her husband, Shawn, and they have one child, Liam.
