KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Following the retirement of longtime field hockey coach Amy Watson, Keene State College Director of Athletics Marty Testo has announced the hiring of Leslie Smith as the next head coach of the Owls’ field hockey program.

Smith has most recently served as the assistant coach at the University of Maine, where she helped lead the program to three consecutive America East Conference Tournament semifinal appearances from 2023-2025. Smith has also previously coached at Providence College, where she coached from 2021-2023. Her roles as an assistant coach included on-field technical development, recruiting, defensive penalty corner units, video analysis and daily program operations across her two most recent stops.

Smith is also a former collegiate athlete who’s been making waves in field hockey before even playing in college. She competed as a member of the USA Field Hockey U16 National Team, for which she was elected to the Hershey High School Hall of Fame in 2024.

In college, she suited up for Michigan 80 times, where she and the Wolverines made it to the NCAA tournament in 2011 and 2012. In her five years in Ann Arbor, she earned an All-Big Ten First Team selection, and scored 32 goals, going along with 30 assists.

“[Smith] is an exceptional coach, mentor and leader. Her championship background, commitment to student-athlete development and experience across highly competitive conferences make her an outstanding fit for Keene State,” Testo said. ” She values the full student-athlete experience, and we’re confident she will elevate our field hockey program while aligning perfectly with Keene State’s mission.”

Smith will formally begin her duties as Keene State College field hockey’s head coach on Feb. 16. Keene State will open the fall season as two-time defending Little East Conference Champions.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Keene State College field hockey program as the next head coach,” Smith said. ” I’m excited to get started and begin working with our student-athletes as we prepare to compete for another LEC championship, and more.”