WORCESTER --- WPI Director of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics
Dana L. Harmon has announced the hiring of
Carden Brown as the head field hockey coach for the Engineers.
"We are pleased to have Carden bring her championship coaching and program development experience to WPI," remarked Harmon. "She is a high-quality professional who supports the academic and athletic excellence that is a trademark of WPI Athletics and what our student-athletes strive for on a daily basis. We look forward to her leadership of our field hockey program and welcome her to Goat Nation!"
Brown arrives in Worcester following three highly successful seasons as the head coach at Westfield State. She compiled a 43-21 record while leading the Owls to back-to-back MASCAC championships in 2024 and 2025, along with consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2025, she guided the program to an 18-4 mark, setting a new school record for wins while also establishing program highs in goals scored (76) and longest winning streak (16 games). Her efforts were recognized with MASCAC Coach of the Year honors.
During her tenure, Brown coached multiple all-conference selections and developed both a MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Her teams consistently improved each season, highlighted by a 13-win campaign and the program's first conference championship since its inaugural 1969 season in 2024, followed by a record-breaking season in 2025.
Prior to being named head coach, Brown served as an assistant coach at Westfield State during the 2022 season, contributing to all aspects of the program including recruiting, training, and game strategy. She also gained international coaching experience at Ulster University, where she coached the co-ed field hockey program.
In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Brown has been involved with USA Field Hockey's Nexus program since 2023 and was selected as a Region 3 coach in 2024, working with elite athletes in the national development pipeline.
"I am incredibly honored to serve as Head Field Hockey Coach and Physical Education Instructor," said Brown. "I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Director of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics, Dana Harmon, for the opportunity to lead the field hockey program. I am also thankful to the members of the search committee as well as the student-athletes and department staff I had the pleasure of meeting during the search process."
A familiar face to the NEWMAC, Brown is a 2021 graduate of Clark University, where she was a four-year member of the field hockey program and served as team captain during her senior season. She is also no stranger Central Mass, calling Worcester home when she was a decorated field hockey player for Holy Name.
Following her undergraduate career, she attended Ulster University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she earned a Master of Laws degree while competing in the Ulster Premier League and helping her team capture a championship.
"I am excited to join such an outstanding university community and look forward to building upon the program's success while continuing to uphold and strengthen its core values," concluded Brown.
