WASHINGTON, PA – Washington & Jefferson College has announced the addition of Mackenzie Gagliardi as the new head coach of the W&J Field Hockey program.
 
"We are very excited to welcome Coach Gagliardi to our athletic department and field hockey program," said Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness. "It was very evident that Mackenzie has a strong passion for the sport, and she desires to see young women grow, develop, and prosper through field hockey. We were looking for a coach who would build roster depth by recruiting talented athletes who want to succeed academically and also compete for championships." 
 
Gagliardi comes to W&J after spending the past three years at Dallas High School in Dallas, Pennsylvania, as the head coach of the Mountaineers' Field Hockey program. There, Gagliardi led her team to three district playoff appearances (2022, 2024, 2024), including a District Championship and State Playoffs appearance in 2024. Through her first two seasons, she increased the Mountaineers' win percentage by 47 percent.
 
In her time at Dallas High School, her teams and players earned NFHCA Team Academic Awards, 27 NFHCA Scholars of Distinction, three All-State Selections, and six Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) All-Stars. Gagliardi's team was also recognized as the 2024 WVC Division II Championship and the 2024 Sportsmanship Award.
 
While working with the Mountaineers in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Gagliardi also spent time working with USA Field Hockey as a Nexus Coach in Region 5 and 6. As a Level 1 Certified Nexus Coach, she helped identify and train top U14-U19 athletes within the region for advancement in USA Field Hockey's Olympic Development Pathway.
 
"I am incredibly honored to be named the head coach of the Washington and Jefferson College field hockey program," said Gagliardi. "This is a team with a strong tradition of excellence, and I am excited to build on that legacy while helping our student-athletes grow both on and off the field. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of athletes and staff by promoting the vibrant Washington and Jefferson community. I want to thank Scott McGuinness and the contributing members of this institution for the confidence they've placed in me to lead this program. Go, Presidents!"
 
Outside of athletics, Gagliardi has also spent time working in the Luzerne County Office of Law in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, since 2022. Gagliardi worked as an Executive Secretary providing direct administrative support to the Chief Solicitor and legal team, along with overseeing budget tracking, preparing expense reports, and managing internal documentation.
 
Gagliardi attended Division I Cornell University, competing on the Big Red Field Hockey program for two seasons. In the 2015 season, Gagliardi appeared in six games with three starts. That season, she compiled 12 saves and posted a 2-1 record in goal. Her career-high in saves came against the University of Delaware in her first collegiate appearance, making four saves. She also received the Jeff Stenstrom Memorial Award in 2016, which is awarded to the freshman student-athlete who best exemplifies leadership, dedication, and strength of character.
 
Gagliardi completed her coursework as a Communications major with a minor in education from Cornell in 2019.
 
A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Gagliardi graduated from high school at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory in 2015.