Zoolkoski

SLIPPERY ROCK — Julie Zoolkoski, formerly the coach at American International College in Springfield, Mass., was named the head field hockey coach at Slippery Rock University Wednesday.

Zoolkoski inherits a Rock program that won seven games in four seasons under former head coach Stacey Hart and is coming off a 3-16 season in 2009. One of The Rock's wins last fall was a 5-0 season-opening triumph over American International.

Zoolkoski joined The Rock staff after serving four seasons as AIC's first field hockey head coach. She led the Yellow Jackets to two wins in each of their first two seasons before increasing the win total to five games in 2008 and six games in 2009.

A 2003 graduate of The College of William and Mary, Zoolkoski was a three-year starter in field hockey for the Tribe. She led the team to a Top 20 national ranking in each of her three seasons and a pair of appearances in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

Zoolkoski earned her bachelor's degree. in marketing from William & Mary in 2003 and her master's in education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2005.

A native of Mountaintop, Pa., and graduate of Crestwood High, Zoolkoski is engaged to Allegheny College head baseball coach Kelly Swiney.

The Rock opens its 2010 season with a Sept. 8 home game vs. Seton Hill University.