MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Allegheny Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Ross has elevated Margaret Maclean from the role of assistant coach to interim head coach of the Gators' Field Hockey program for the 2021 season.

Maclean becomes the second head coach in program history after replacing Valerie Lohr, who resigned to pursue other professional opportunities.

"With our field hockey program being in existence for only three years and the fact Margaret played a role in the formation of the program, this transition makes a lot of sense," said Ross.  "After a year's hiatus, I am looking forward to seeing the team take the field again this fall under Margaret's tutelage."

Maclean has been on the staff at Allegheny since July 2018. In her time, the Gators have had over 20 student-athletes recognized on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Academic Squad, plus two NFHCA Division III National Academic Team Awards. In addition, Allegheny has placed numerous student-athletes on the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Academic Honor Roll, and following the inaugural season of 2019, a pair of Gators earned All-NCAC honors, with the first all-region accolade in program history being bestowed upon Kierstin Faw '21.

"I am grateful to Athletic Director Bill Ross for allowing me the opportunity to lead this program," said Maclean. "It has been a privilege to build and start this team for the past three years and I am excited to see where we can go under my leadership. I would also like to thank Valerie Lohr for her thoughtful mentorship and believing in me from the beginning. Her leadership and knowledge in getting the program started has set the course for long-term success."

A former NCAA Division II champion at Millersville (Pa.), Maclean played most of her career at Pace (N.Y.), where she was a 2017 All-American as a senior. That year, she helped anchor a defensive squad that topped DII in goals against average (0.88), and finished 15-4 overall with nine shutout victories in just the program's third year of existence. 

A native of Ellicott City, Maryland, Maclean earned her degree from Pace in communications with a minor in sports marketing. As an undergraduate, she was a member of the school's Athletics Diversity Committee and the Captain's Council, and was also chosen to attend the 2017 NCAA Careers in Sports Forum.