WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University Director of Athletics Addy Malatesta has announced the hiring of Ashley Irwin as the Colonels new field hockey head coach. Irwin is the 11th different head coach for the program as it heads into its 62nd season in the fall.

Irwin joins Wilkes from Keystone College where she spent the previous nine seasons as the Giants head coach. She took over the Giants program prior to the 2014 season and went 68-75 overall and 37-17 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) games over her tenure. In early 2021, Irwin was added as an assistant athletics director in addition to serving as the Giants' compliance coordinator and senior woman administrator.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be the Head Field Hockey Coach for Wilkes University," Irwin stated. "I am excited to continue to grow and further develop the field hockey team into one that can competitively compete among members of the Landmark Conference. I want to thank Athletic Director Addy Malatesta, John McNichol, Dr. Mark Allen, and the search committee members for believing in me and my vision for the program. Becoming the next Head Field Hockey Coach at Wilkes University is an incredible honor."
 
In 2018 Irwin led Keystone to the program's first CSAC title following an 8-0 conference regular season. The Giants fell to No. 7 TCNJ in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey National Tournament that season to finish 14-5 overall. Irwin was named the CSAC Coach of the Year in 2022.

Irwin led the Giants to two CSAC Championship runner-up finishes and three other times Keystone made the Semifinal round of the conference postseason tournament as she coached the team into postseason play in six of the eight seasons of competition.

During her time at Keystone Irwin coached one All-American (Savanna Robinson, 2019 Third Team NFHCA All-American), five All-Region players, five CSAC Players of the Year, 12 All-CSAC First Team selections, and 27 total All-CSAC selections.
Irwin also coached the Keystone women's lacrosse team for five seasons from 2016-2020, going 28-28 overall and 21-15 in the CSAC. She earned CSAC Coach of the Year honors in 2019.

"I would also like to thank the community of Keystone College, current players, and alum for the gift of making a change in female sports at KC, the athletic department, and most importantly, the Field Hockey and Women's Lacrosse programs," Irwin said. "Thank you for helping me become the Coach I am today. I will be forever grateful for the games, memories, and victories we enjoyed together."
 
Prior to taking the Keystone field hockey head coaching position Irwin served as the Meyers High School field hockey assistant coach and JV head coach from 2011-2014. She also served as an assistant coach for the Coughlin High School girl's lacrosse team from 2012-2015 including co-head coach duties.

"I am familiar with the program's history and the levels of success it has reached," Irwin said about the Colonels field hockey team. "I would love to incorporate some of the program's past successes and instill a hunger and drive for field hockey. Maybe we create a new meaning of what it means to be a Colonel. A program rarely gets an opportunity to rebuild entirely. Wilkes field hockey has that opportunity with my addition, a new conference, team structure, new team members, and facilities. There are so many new opportunities here at Wilkes. With the team's help, I know we will take off right away to capitalize on our opportunities, which is what drew me here the most."

Irwin is a native of Douglasville, Pa. and graduate of Daniel Boone Area High School in Birdsboro, Pa. She went to King's College, graduating in 2011 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education.

During her playing career at King's from 2006-2009 she played in 67 games with 47 starts and won back-to-back MAC Freedom championships and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007. She served as Vice President and President of SAAC during her time at King's as well.

"Since attending King's College, I have grown to call this area home," Irwin said. "It was very exciting to have the opportunity to come back to the area and continue to grow as a coach, where my passion for the game flourished. I went away for a while and built something I am very proud of, so I cannot wait to see what the team and I do next here at Wilkes."

Irwin begins her duties at Wilkes on Monday, February 13.