Loretto, Pa. - Saint Francis head field hockey coach Betta Ceretta has filled out her first coaching staff with the hiring of former Monmouth goalkeeper and Lehigh assistant coach, Teresa Mathews.

"We are very fortunate to have Teresa join the Saint Francis family," said head coach Betta Ceretta. "Her experience at the college level will be a great asset to the program. Her goalkeeper experience and ability to recruit will help us keep developing to the next level."

Mathews spent three seasons as an assistant at Lehigh, elevating her status from volunteer assistant in 2014 to a graduate assistant in 2015 and 2016.

She worked primarily with the goalkeepers, helping the Mountain Hawks lower its goals against average in each of her three seasons. Behind the strong play of goalkeeper Julia Ward, Lehigh won six games in 2016, its most since 2011. The Mountain Hawks allowed just 46 goals on the season, its fewest since 2004. Ward posted three shutouts.

"I am so thankful that coach Ceretta and the Saint Francis Athletics Department have allowed me to join the Red Flash family," said Mathews. "I am excited to meet the team and jump into preseason with this group and I hope to help contribute to the future success of this program!"

Mathews was a standout goalkeeper for Monmouth University from 2010-13, helping her team to three conference tournament finals appearances. A four-time all-academic team selection, she enjoyed a career game with 17 saves vs. No. 5 Syracuse in 2011 and posted a 1.69 goals against average for the season.

She was awarded Most Improved Player in 2011 and Unsung Hero in 2013, and was a nominee for the 2014 Bill Boylan Award, given to the athlete who demonstrates leadership, sportsmanship, scholarship, and athletic ability.

Mathews has served as a goalkeeper coach for U.S. Field Hockey, coaching a region 6 goalkeeper site for Futures. She is a level two head coach for Futures.

She received her B.A. in Psychology from Monmouth in 2014 and worked towards her Master's of Education in Counseling and Human Resources at Lehigh.