July 27, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women's lacrosse head coach Missy Doherty has announced the addition of Amy Altig, an assistant at Princeton for the last three years, to her coaching staff. Also, Doherty will retain Tara Hohenshelt, a Penn State assistant for the last 11 years.
Altig will coach the goalkeepers and defense while Hohenshelt will assist on the attacking end.
At Princeton, working primarily with the goalkeepers, Altig helped develop an All-American in net and establish the Tigers as one of the Ivy League's and nation's top defenses. In her three years at Princeton, the Tigers compiled a 33-19 record and qualified for the NCAA Tournament twice.
Prior to Princeton, Altig served as the top assistant coach at the University of Richmond for two seasons. While with the Spiders, they won two Atlantic-10 titles and earned two bids to the NCAA postseason. Her work with the goalkeepers and the defense helped Richmond lead the A-10 in goals against average.
Altig played collegiately at James Madison University, receiving All-CAA honors twice as a standout goalkeeper. In her senior season, she ranked in the top 20 in Division I in save percentage and goals against average.
Still active in lacrosse, Altig was an alternate on the 2009 U.S. World Cup Team and has been a member of several U.S. Elite and Development Teams. In the summer of 2008, she earned a spot on the U.S. Touring Team that traveled to the Czech Republic to compete in the Prague Cup.
A native of Millersburg, Md., Altig earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports management from James Madison in 2005.
Tara Hohenshelt |
"I'm extremely excited to have Amy on board at Penn State," said Doherty. "She is extremely driven, and knows what it takes to coach at a high level. She will be instrumental in many areas of the program here at Penn State."
During her 11-year Penn State assistant coaching stint, Hohenshelt has been a part of 92 victories and helped coached the Nittany Lions to two NCAA Tournament bids and one American Lacrosse Conference title game appearance. Players during Hohenshelt's tenure have earned a total of 38 All-ALC selections, 21 IWLCA Regional All-American honors, and 11 IWLCA All-American accolades.
A 1997 graduate of Penn State, Hohenshelt was a four-year letterwinning defender on the Nittany Lion lacrosse team. In 1995, she played on Penn State's NCAA semifinal team and helped the Lions reach the quarterfinals in 1996 and 1997. She served as a tri-captain in her senior year.
After graduation and before returning to Happy Valley in 1999, the former Tara Rowlyk served as an assistant coach at NCAA quarterfinalist Princeton University and as the lacrosse coach and athletic recruiter at Centenary College.
"Tradition is so important at Penn State, and I am excited to have an alumnae on staff," said Doherty. "Tara brings tremendous experience and knowledge of the Penn State program, and she is extremely excited to be a part of the next wave in Penn State lacrosse."
In 2011, Penn State will return 21 letterwinners, eight starters, and 76 percent of its offense from a 2010 squad that won 10 games, defeated three ranked opponents, and advanced to the semifinals of the ALC Championship.