Penn State field hockey named Lisa Bervinchak-Love its newest head coach, and sixth head coach in the program’s history.

Last week, longtime head coach Char Morett-Curtiss announced her retirement from coaching after 36 years as the Nittany Lions’ head coach. Now, associate head coach Bervinchak-Love will take over the helm as the new leader of the team.

“I am truly blessed and honored to be the next head coach for Penn State Field Hockey,” Bervinchak-Love wrote. “Char has been the heart and soul of this program for a long time, and I am truly grateful to have been by her side for 29 of those years. I will do my best to honor Char’s legacy and the traditions of Penn State Field Hockey. We will continue to play with heart and strive to be the best both on and off the field. We Are!”

Bervinchak-Love played under Morett-Curtiss during the former head coach’s first two seasons leading the Nittany Lions. Bervinchak-Love later joined Morett-Curtiss’ staff in 1994 as an assistant coach and ultimately worked her way up to associate head coach.

“She always embodied the traditions, values, and pride of Penn State Field Hockey as a player and alum and I knew that she would be an outstanding coach,” said Morett-Curtiss of Bervinchak-Love. “Twenty-nine years, as a leader by my side, she has exceeded those expectations and has become a coach who has led Penn State to years of consistent success in the classroom and on the field.”

During her three seasons as a player at Penn State, Bervinchak-Love scored 28 goals and earned First-team NFHCA All-American and First-team All-Atlantic 10 honors, as well as being named a team captain her senior year.

After making its first Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2007, Bervinchak-Love will take the helm of a Nittany Lions squad that is aiming to bring a National Championship back to Happy Valley.