ERIE, Pa. – Mercyhurst Director of Athletics Joe Spano has announced Rachel Bannatyne as the department's new head field hockey coach.
 
Bannatyne will lead the program into its third season in the NEC in fall 2026.
 
"We are excited to welcome Rachel as our next head field hockey coach," said Spano. "As a student-athlete at Lindenwood, she experienced the program's transition to Division I competition and later continued her involvement as an assistant coach. Rachel brings valuable experience, a strong understanding of program development, and a passion for student-athlete success. We are confident she will have a positive impact on our program and community."
 
Bannatyne joins the Lakers after spending the last two season on the staff at SUNY Brockport. While with the Golden Eagles, she helped the team to two of its most successful seasons in program history.
 
In 2024, she helped Brockport to its most wins in a season since 1994 (14), while coaching seven all-conference players and three all-region athletes, including the Empire 8 Goalkeeper of the Year. Bannatyne and the Golden Eagles went 13-6 overall with a 7-2 conference record to enter the postseason as a two seed.
 
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to join the Mercyhurst family," said Bannatyne. "The support I've received so far has been amazing, and I can already tell the team is filled with ambitious and driven student-athletes, which has only heightened my excitement for this opportunity. I'm eager to build on the current culture, continue growing the program, and strive for excellence on and off the field every day."
 
The Scotland native played collegiate field hockey at Lindenwood from 2020 to 2024. She was an NFHCA Academic Team honoree all four years and earned NFHCA Division 1 Scholar of Distinction honor in 2023.