Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Head Field Hockey Coach Hillary Fitts has announced, effective immediately, the promotion of assistant coach Alicia Govannicci to associate head coach.
 
Govannicci completed her first season as assistant coach of the Pride during the 2025 season, which saw Hofstra qualify for the CAA Championship for the first time since 2015.
 
"From the moment Alicia joined this program, she has poured herself into the growth of our student-athletes the culture of our team, and the vision of where we want this program to go," said Fitts, who completed her second season as head coach in 2025. "This promotion is incredibly well deserved, and I'm truly grateful to work alongside her every day. I couldn't be more excited to officially name her our associate head coach."
 
With Govannicci on the staff, Hofstra jumped from four wins in 2024 to nine in 2025 and ranks as one of the top three scoring offenses in the Coastal Athletic Association. Five members of the field hockey team were named All-CAA or to the CAA All-Rookie Team, while Teresa Karoff took home NFHCA All-Mideast Region Second Team honors after leading the CAA in goals and points.
 
Govannicci arrived at Hofstra after serving as the head coach at Rider for two seasons. She won 17 games at the helm of the Broncs, and she was named the 2024 NEC Coach of the Year after going 10-8 overall and 6-2 in the conference and clinching the two-seed in the NEC Tournament. She coached NEC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year Olivia Machiavelli, as well as NEC Midfielder of the Year Lyric Scott, in 2024, and a total of seven players received All-NEC honors during her time as head coach.
 
Govannicci received her bachelor's degree in psychology and elementary education in May 2014 from Rider, where she was a four-year starter for the Broncs and was a two-time captain as a junior and a senior. During her time as a student-athlete, Govannicci won three NEC Championships, three NEC regular season titles, and the 2013 MAAC regular season title. Additionally, she was named All-MAAC First Team in 2013 and All-NEC Second in 2011 and 2012. Govannicci received her master's degree in sport administration from Central Michigan in November 2020.