Naval Academy Head Coach named 2021-2022 Women’s Division 2 Coach of the Year

 

TROY, Mich. – March 24, 2022 – The American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Women’s Division II (W2) today announced their 21/22 Coach of the Year.  The Coach of the Year award is presented to a coach who has made significant contributions to their program. Teams are only able to nominate and vote for coaches outside of their own program.

 

In her first year as Head Coach, Harper led the Midshipmen to a 17-1-0 record in Division 2 and was the #1 Ranked team in the Southeast Region.  They went 2-1 at the 2022 National Tournament, losing on the final day of pool play to eventual National Runner-up, Dakota College at Bottineau.

“The Navy Women’s Hockey team is an extremely unique group of disciplined and talented women.  It has been my privilege to work with them this season, and there’s no question our success is a result of their laser focus on putting the team first and working together for a common goal.  We’re proud of what we accomplished this season, and are already looking forward to playing next year, ” said Harper

Before becoming Navy’s Head Coach, Ashley worked with the program helping to train the goaltenders and teaching new student-athletes. Before moving to Annapolis, she served as a graduate assistant at NCAA Division III Stevenson University, helping build the fledgling program as primary recruiter, while training the goaltenders and forwards.

Prior to coaching and earning a graduate degree at Stevenson, Harper was a graduate assistant at NCAA Division I Robert Morris University, where the team earned their first-ever CHA championship. Outside of the collegiate season, Harper worked at several USA Hockey national and district camps, earning her USA Hockey Level 4 certification in 2013.  Harper is currently the Girls Hockey Director at Navy Youth Hockey in Annapolis, Maryland, where she also serves as a coach. In her dual role, she has focused on reinventing the program, building opportunities for girls at the Youth level, and teaching them about opportunities to play after high school.

As an undergraduate, Harper worked and played for Mercyhurst University (then College), joining the team in her senior year as a goaltender. As a four-year affiliate of Mercyhurst, she was part of a Lakers squad which captured four straight CHA championships.

 

Coach Harper was assisted by Ron Siefert, who has been a steady presence in Navy Women’s Hockey for six seasons.