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Now entering her 14th season as head coach, Joanie Milhous has continued to build upon her goal of making Villanova field hockey into one of the most respected programs in the BIG EAST, as well as in the nation. Coach Milhous enters 2008 with a 140-119 record in 14 years of coaching at Villanova and a 162-159-4 career record in 17 seasons. The 2007 season added to the success of the program as it marked the 10th consecutive season that the Wildcats finished with a winning record. During the season the team put together a winning streak of seven games tying a school record. Their run included national recognition with a No. 20 ranking and an upset of No.3 Connecticut. The team also stood out in the BIG EAST; with 2007 was the ninth straight year that Villanova had multiple all conference selections. The tradition of offensive strength under Milhous continued for the Wildcats in 2007. They finished the season ranked 3rd in assists per game (2.38) and 5th in the nation in goals per game (3.27) and scoring average (3.28). While the offence put up high numbers, a well balanced attack is what worked well for the Wildcats. Recording three shutouts and a Goals Against Average of 2.25, the defense played a major role in the success of 2007. Coach Milhous and the Wildcats achieved a great amount during the 2006 season. With her experience and extensive knowledge of the game, she led her program to its second consecutive year ranked on the national level, where they remained throughout the season. The road to a national ranking was filled with excitement as the Wildcats knocked off two top-20 teams as they defeated then No. 14 Iowa on Sept. 9 and No. 9 Connecticut just one week later on Sept. 17. During the 2006 season the team broke five records while receiving recognition from the BIG EAST Conference for their outstanding play. In addition, the Wildcats catapulted themselves on to the national scene as they ranked in the top-12 in three separate categories. Villanova's highest ranking was seventh in the nation in Assists Per Game (2.57), followed by 11th in Points Per Game (8.67) and 12th in Scoring Average (3.04). At the end of the record-breaking 2005 season, the Wildcats made their fifth consecutive trip to the BIG EAST Championships with the No. 1 seed, following a first-place 4-1 season in conference play. Despite finishing the season with a first-ever national ranking, the No. 15 Wildcats fell to Connecticut 3-2 in overtime of the championship game. Milhous won BIG EAST Coach of the Year for the second time in her career on the Main Line. She earned it by producing a season of firsts for Villanova. On Sept. 20, the Wildcats received their first national ranking. The team won its first regular season title and tallied 15 wins for the first time ever. Its No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament was the first ever, and the Wildcats beat two ranked teams (Louisville and Connecticut) in the same season for the first time. Villanova had its most-ever selections to the first team All-Conference (three) and won the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards for the first time in program history as well. In 2005 the team ranked second in the conference in goals (70), assists (54), points (194), goals against (39) and shutouts (4). The `Cats also out-scored opponents 70-39 en route to the 15-5 season. On Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001, Milhous earned her 59th victory as Villanova's head coach and became the school's all-time winningest field hockey coach when the Wildcats defeated West Chester, 3-1, at Villanova Stadium. On Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, she earned her 100th win at Villanova as her Wildcats routed City Six rival La Salle, 6-1. In May of 1995, Milhous arrived on the Main Line after a four-year coaching stint at nearby Cabrini College. In just four years there, she completely turned the program around. After recording only one win in her first season, Milhous closed her career at Cabrini with an 11-win season in 1994, earning her 1994 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors. Milhous' accomplishments at Villanova have followed a similar trend. Prior to entering this upcoming season, Her teams have posted nine consecutive winning records dating back to 1998 totaling 110 victories. These past nine seasons have been highlighted by seven BIG EAST Tournament appearances, with three of those leading to the BIG EAST Championship game. In addition to her role as the head field hockey coach, Milhous served as the women's lacrosse head coach from 1997-00. During her three seasons directing the women's lacrosse program the Wildcats posted a 10-38 record. At the end of the 2000 season she stepped down from her position in order to concentrate entirely on field hockey. Milhous graduated in 1991 from the College of William & Mary where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. While attending William & Mary she was a standout for both the field hockey and women's lacrosse programs. In field hockey Milhous was a two-time Regional All-American and two-time All-Conference selection, as well as being chosen team captain for her senior season. She ended her career as the seventh leading scorer in Tribe history. In addition to her success in field hockey, she earned equal rewards for her play on the lacrosse pitch. After being named team captain, she also received Regional All-American and All-Conference honors. In each of her four seasons playing lacrosse, the Tribe was nationally ranked. She was voted to participate in the North/South Senior All-Star game in both field hockey and lacrosse. Milhous served as President of the BIG EAST Conference Field Hockey Site Committee in 1998 and was also a board member of the Philadelphia Lacrosse Association from 1998-2000, representing the Philadelphia area colleges. A native of Wynnewood, Pa., Milhous and her husband Stowe reside in Gulph Mills, Pa. with their three children, Stowe Jr. and twins Tucker and Madison. Coaching Experience: 162-159-4 (17 years)
Villanova University (1995-Present) 140-119-0 (13 years) 2007 11-7-0 2006 13-8-0 2005 15-5-0 2004 11-8-0 2003 11-7-0 2002 11-9-0 2001 11-9-0 2000 11-9-0 1999 13-8-0 1998 13-9-0 1997 7-13-0 1996 7-13-0 1995 5-15-0 Cabrini College (1991-95) 22-40-4 (four years) 1994 11-6-0 1993 6-9-3 1992 4-11-1 1991 1-14-0 Coaching Honors & Achievements 1999, 2005 BIG EAST Coach of the Year 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 BIG EAST Tournament Appearances 1994 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 2 ECAC Tournament Appearances 17 Mid-Atlantic Regional All-Americans82 BIG EAST All-Academic selections 9 All-BIG EAST First Team selections 16 All-BIG EAST Second Team selections 6 All-BIG EAST Rookie Team selections |
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