Field Hockey
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- jlmurphy5@liberty.edu
Serving as head coach since the program’s first season in 2011, Jodi Murphy has guided the Liberty field hockey team to two NorPac Championships, two straight NCAA tournament appearances (2013-14) and three NorPac East Division regular-season crowns. While the team was an independent during the 2015 season, Liberty field hockey enters a new era beginning in 2016. The Lady Flames officially became members of the Big East Conference on Dec. 8, 2015 and will compete in the league this upcoming season.
“I am thrilled to see this program earn a spot in the prolific Big East Conference. The Big East has a tremendous field hockey history. Since the inception of our program in 2011, we have set our sights on building a nationally recognized program. Each season our student-athletes and staff have worked tirelessly to establish a culture that is uncommon. We feel that this Big East move will provide us great opportunity for growth and development as we continue to honor and glorify God,” Murphy said.
In 2015, Murphy’s squad finished with a 12-6 record despite a demanding schedule that featured eight nationally-ranked opponents. The Lady Flames defeated No. 15 Old Dominion, 2-1, on the road on Sept. 25 and defeated No. 13 Delaware, 6-2, on the road on Oct. 11. They also recorded five wins by six goals or more. The Lady Flames had a prolific offense that ranked second in the nation in goals per game (4.44), assists per game (3.11), scoring average (4.25), and points per game (12.00). The team finished No. 16 in the final NCAA Field Hockey RPI listing.
Several of Murphy’s players were recognized by VaSID and NFHCA. Seniors Natalie Barr and Ashlee Krulock were both named VaSID All-State first team, and juniors Bethany Barr and Serena Barr each earned a spot on the VaSID All-State second team. Natalie Barr garnered NFHCA All-American third team status, becoming the first player in program history to earn All-American honors. She was also named NFHCA First Team All-South Region, while Bethany Barr, Serena Barr and Ashlee Kruclock were voted to the NFHCA Second Team All-South Region.
In 2014, Murphy guided the Lady Flames to their first-ever NCAA tournament play-in victory over her alma mater, Richmond. Liberty bested the Spiders, 3-1, on Nov. 12, 2014 in front of a raucous Liberty crowd. The Lady Flames then made their first-ever appearance in the first round, squaring off against No. 1 North Carolina. The contest went down to the wire, with the Tar Heels coming out on top, 2-1 on Nov. 15, 2014. The appearance proved where the fast-paced program is headed, after two straight NCAA appearances in just four years.
Under Murphy's guidance, Liberty broke into the NFHCA Coaches Poll Top 20 for the first time on Nov. 11, 2014. The Lady Flames entered the final week with the No. 20 national ranking. Murphy also garnered recognition as the 2014 4U Field Hockey/NFHCA South Region Coach of the Year.
During the program's third season of competition in 2013, Murphy guided Liberty to its first ever NorPac Championship title and subsequent berth in the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament. Liberty posted a 17-5 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play. The Lady Flames' signature win came in the NorPac Championship final, defeating No. 10 ranked Stanford, 2-1.
On July 1, 2012, Liberty joined the NorPac Conference, becoming the league's ninth member.
In 2012, Murphy helped guide the Lady Flames to a 16-6 overall record, marking a 10-win improvement from their inaugural season in 2011. Liberty's .727 winning percentage ranked 10th in the nation. Under Murphy's leadership, the Lady Flames posted a 7-1 mark in NorPac play, capturing the East Division's regular-season title in just their first season in the conference.
Murphy was honored as the 2012 and 2013 NorPac Co-Coach of the Year, as Liberty became the first team from the NorPac's East Division to reach the conference title game in back-to-back seasons. During the Lady Flames' three seasons in the league, Murphy's squads have produced 10 all-conference members, two-time NorPac East Division Offensive Player of the Year Natalie Barr and a pair of NorPac Maria Whitehead Rookie of the Year honorees. Additionally, five players have earned NFHCA All-South Region plaudits under Murphy's guidance, while nine Lady Flames have garnered VaSID All-State recognition.
Murphy has also built a program focused on academic success. In 2015, four of her players were named to NFHCA Scholars of Distinction. Additionally, 16 Lady Flames earned NFHCA National Academic Squad recognition. Finally, the Lady Flames received the 2015 ZAG Field Hockey/NFHCA Division I National Academic Team Award for having a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. Liberty was one of 63 Division I field hockey programs to earn the distinction. Liberty earned the NFHCA's National Team Award in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Murphy also played a part in overlooking the completion of the program's nylon woven turf field, which is water-based and features six water cannons.
Murphy brought a wealth and variety of both playing and coaching experience to Liberty's field hockey program and is familiar with Virginia, as much of her experience comes from her time at Richmond.
Murphy spent three seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, capping the three-year stint by helping Richmond to the 2009 Atlantic 10 regular-season title, Atlantic 10 conference title, a berth in the NCAA Tournament and a No. 19 final season ranking.
During her time with the Spiders, Murphy helped coach 18 Atlantic 10 all-conference players, seven VaSID all-state student-athletes, a third-team All-American and a pair of players who have earned Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.
En route to the 2009 Atlantic 10 title, Murphy helped the Spiders' defense finish the season ranked No. 17 nationally with a 1.62 goals against average.
While on staff at Richmond, Murphy served as the Director of Staff Operations and was responsible for all aspects of recruiting, including player evaluation, correspondence and official on-campus visits.
Murphy also brings an array of additional coaching experience, including time spent at West Chester University, US Field Hockey (working with the Futures Developmental Program as both a Head Coach and Site Director) and leading hockey projects abroad with her non-profit organization, Pathfinder Hockey.
Murphy started her collegiate playing career at Indiana, playing for the Hoosiers for two years before transferring to Richmond. During her days at Indiana, Murphy started 37 out of 38 games over two seasons and earned NFHCA academic honors.
Murphy transferred to Richmond for the 2005 season and helped guide the Spiders to back-to-back Atlantic 10 titles and trips the NCAA Tournament.
As a junior, she started all 22 games and earned second-team Atlantic 10 honors, while she was a first-team honoree as a senior.
Murphy was a four-year starter and team captain at Jamestown High School in her hometown of Williamsburg, Va. She was a two-time first-team Virginia All-State selection and Virginia State High School League AA Player of the Year in 2002.
Murphy has participated in the USFHA A-Camp in 2003-04 and was a part of the National Field Hockey Futures National Championship from 1999-02. She graduated from Richmond in 2007 with a bachelor of arts in religion with an English minor.
Murphy currently resides in Lynchburg.
