Sarah Kurpel begins her 11th season in the fall of 2016 at the helm of the Knights field hockey team. Under Coach Kurpel’s direction, the Knights have advanced to the CSAC postseason eight out of her 10 seasons, claiming one CSAC Championship and one NCAA Appearance, both in 2008.
During the 2015 campaign, the Knights finished 9-9 overall. The team received the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Team Academic Award while 13 individuals were named to the Academic Team. Five players were named All-Conference while 13 were named to the CSAC All-Academic team.
Neumann finished 11-9 in 2014, the first time the program has finished above the .500 mark. The Knights qualified for the postseason, but fell in the semifinal game at Gwyendd Mercy University, the eventual CSAC Champion. The squad received the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Team Academic Award. Katie Bauer was named an NFHCA Division III Scholars of Distinction while seven others were named to the Academic Team. Six players were named All-Conference while 12 were named to the CSAC All-Academic team.
With more than 10 years’ experience in the field of Education, Kurpel is an Athletic Administrator and a Level II Certified Field Hockey Coach through USA Field Hockey as well as an English and Yoga adjunct faculty member at Neumann. Kurpel brings expertise in the areas of student relations at both the secondary and collegiate levels as well as recruiting for collegiate athletics. To round out her field hockey portfolio, in the winter of 2015, Coach Kurpel completed her USA Umpiring education is a Level 1 USA Indoor Field Hockey referee.
A 2002 (Bachelor of Arts, English) and 2010 (Masters of Science, Strategic and Organizational Leadership) graduate of Neumann, Kurpel was a three-time team captain and four-year starter on both field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams from 1998-2002. She is also the current field hockey record holder for goal keeping for number of wins (19), and shut-outs (12), and overall save percentage (.895).
A native of Drexel Hill, Pa., Kurpel graduated from Archbishop Prendergast High School where she lettered in field hockey and lacrosse. Coach Kurpel resides in Aston, Pa. with her husband Todd and three sons Maksim, Royal and Lionel.
| 2006 |
9-10, 7-4 PAC |
| 2007 |
7-14, 5-5 PAC |
| 2008 |
11-11, 8-1 CSAC |
| 2009 |
10-10, 6-2 CSAC |
| 2010 |
7-13, 5-3 CSAC |
| 2011 |
6-13, 4-3 CSAC |
| 2012 |
3-14, 3-4 CSAC |
| 2013 |
8-12, 4-3 CSAC |
| 2014 |
11-9, 5-2 CSAC |
| 2015 |
9-9, 3-4 CSAC |
| Career Totals |
81-115, 50-31 conference |
