Annie Zinkavich Joins Virginia Field Hockey Program
Story Links
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia field hockey coach Michele Madison announced Monday that former Penn State standout Annie Zinkavich has been hired as an assistant coach with the Cavalier program.
At Virginia, Zinkavich will coach the goalkeepers and assume the recruiting coordinator role along with alumni outreach efforts. She replaces former assistant coach Alexandra Street.
“I am very pleased with Annie’s decision to join the coaching staff at the University of Virginia,” Madison said. “I have watched her coach on many occasions and noted what an engaging young coach she is. Her positive teaching style will fit in with our obnoxiously positive energies. She has been mentored by Char Morrett, one of hockey’s best coaches, so I know she is prepared to work in the ACC and eagerly looking forward to a new challenge.”
Zinkavich arrives in Charlottesville after spending the past six seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Penn State. With the Nittany Lions, she worked primarily with the goalkeepers and assisted in the day-to-day operations of the program.
Zinkavich helped Penn State to five NCAA Tournament appearances and coached the Nittany Lions in the 2007 national championship game. During her time there, she also mentored the goalkeepers to three first team All-Big Ten and four All-America honors. Penn State won the Big Ten regular season title in 2009 and claimed the tournament championship in 2011.
“The resignation of Alex Street created an opportunity to address program needs,” Madison continued. “We have a very talented goalkeeper team that needs more attention than I can provide on a daily basis. Goalkeepers have to organize the defense to manage opponent scoring opportunities. Annie will help the goalkeepers develop their circle management, working and integrating the defensive effort with associate head coach Michael Boal.”
Prior to her return to Penn State, Zinkavich spent two years at Bucknell where she served as a graduate assistant coach. Under her guidance, senior goalkeeper Liz Jordan was named the Patriot League’s goalkeeper of the year.
Zinkavich, a goalkeeper, played four seasons at Penn State (2000-03) where she was a three-time NFHCA All-Midwest regional selection and helped the Nittany Lions to the national title game in 2002. She was also selected to the senior all-star game in 2003.
Zinkavich received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State in 2004. A native of Kingston, Pa., she was inducted into the Wyoming Seminary Hall of Fame in 2011.