Meet Our Staff

Maggie Long brings a unique and comprehensive perspective to Surf & Sand FHC, blending successful Division I field hockey coaching with high-level executive expertise in Athletic Administration. This background provides our athletes and families with unparalleled, insider knowledge of the collegiate ecosystem.

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Maggie is a high-energy leader who spent five seasons as an Assistant Coach at Monmouth University. During her tenure, she helped guide the Hawks to back-to-back Northeast Conference Championship games and national recognition in the NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll, while developing numerous All-Conference selections.

 

Beyond the field, Maggie holds a top-tier executive role as the VP & Chief Development Officer, Athletics Development for Rutgers University. This experience gives her an unrivaled understanding of strategic planning, fundraising, and the overall operation of a major Division I athletic department.

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Her dual expertise ensures Surf & Sand FHC athletes receive not only comprehensive on-field training but also strategic guidance that prepares them for both the competitive demands of college field hockey and the rigorous application and college transition process.

As a player, Maggie was a talented athlete and Team Captain at the College of William and Mary, where she was honored with the President's Award for excellence in sports and leadership.

Jill DiSanti brings over 17 years of Division I collegiate coaching experience and a deep commitment to developing elite field hockey talent to Surf & Sand FHC.

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A nationally recognized field hockey expert, Jill is renowned for her work as a Defensive and Tactical Specialist, having successfully transformed programs and rosters at the highest level of the NCAA. Her coaching journey includes an 11-year stint at Monmouth University—most recently as Associate Head Coach—where her teams achieved a 32-7 record in her final two seasons, were nationally ranked in the Top 25, and earned two NCAA tournament appearances. Under her guidance, Monmouth's Defensive Unit consistently housed the Conference Defensive Player of the Year for five consecutive seasons.

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Jill is also a certified Sports Performance Analyst and highly adept at utilizing performance analytics and data-based decision-making to optimize player performance. She is a FIH Level II Certified Coach (in the final phase of Level III) and a USA Field Hockey Level II Certified Coach.

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As a player, Jill was a standout at Quinnipiac University, where she was a two-time All-American and Captain, leading her team to two NCAA tournament appearances. Her defensive excellence is permanently recognized by the "Jill DiSanti Best Defensive Player Award," presented annually at Quinnipiac.

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Jill’s focus at Surf & Sand FHC is not just on training skills, but on developing Field Hockey IQ and fostering the championship mindset required for players to succeed at the next level.

Amanda Hyland brings extensive experience in coaching, player development, and specialized Goalkeeping instruction to Surf & Sand FHC. She has been actively coaching since 2015 at the club level, with the USA Field Hockey Futures program, and previously led the St. John Vianney High School field hockey team. During her tenure at SJV, she focused on building the program and fostering a competitive team culture. She also served as an Assistant Field Hockey Coach at William Paterson University.

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Amanda is a dedicated mentor who is committed to developing players in all aspects of the game, leveraging her strong background as a Division I collegiate athlete. As a Goalkeeper for Monmouth University, she was a key contributor to the team's success, which included a MAAC division title and hosting an NCAA tournament game in her senior season. Her individual accolades include being named the first-ever MAAC Defensive Player of the Week for Monmouth.

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In addition to her coaching roles, Amanda holds a strong academic focus, having been named to the Conference All-Academic Team throughout her college career. Her passion for the game and dedication to teaching both technical skills and the competitive mindset make her an invaluable coach and Goalkeeping Specialist for Surf & Sand athletes.

Steph Noll is an enthusiastic and experienced coach who has been an integral part of the Surf & Sand FHC staff for over five years, having originally come up through the club as a player. She returns to the program that developed her, now serving as a dedicated mentor and coach.

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Steph played defense for Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus (FDU-Florham), where she earned a starting spot and was named Team Captain her senior year. Her collegiate career was marked by success, highlighted by leading her team to a MAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2018. Beyond the team's achievements, Steph was individually recognized for her exemplary leadership, earning a spot on the MAC Sportsmanship Team in 2018.

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A graduate of FDU-Florham, Steph brings her competitive experience and commitment to teamwork directly to the club, helping the next generation of Surf & Sand athletes navigate their own path to collegiate play.

Laura Grande (formerly Cummings) brings her experience as a collegiate athlete and an active high school coach to the Surf & Sand FHC staff.

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Laura played field hockey for Montclair State University, where she competed at the collegiate level and developed a strong foundation of skills and game knowledge. This background gives her firsthand insight into the demands of high-level play.

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Currently, Laura serves as an Assistant Coach for the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School field hockey program, a role that keeps her highly current with the local scholastic landscape and the key transition points for aspiring college players. Her work at both the club and high school levels ensures Surf & Sand athletes receive well-rounded guidance, preparing them for success in both competitive tournaments and their future collegiate careers.

Alex Carroll brings an exceptional background as an elite collegiate player and Division I coach to Surf & Sand FHC, where she is entering her 13th year as a coach.

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As a player at Monmouth University, Alex was one of the program's most decorated athletes, highlighted by being named the MAAC Player of the Year and the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. She was a three-time All-Conference selection and finished her career ranked in the top five all-time at Monmouth in goals (31), assists (20), and points (82).

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Following her playing career, Alex dedicated four seasons to coaching at her alma mater, including two years as a full-time Assistant Coach. During this span, she helped guide Monmouth to a MAAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship in 2016, and the team's first-ever national Top 25 ranking. She also served as an Assistant Coach for the inaugural Wagner College Field Hockey Program (a new Division 1 program started in 2019)

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Alex works with the defensive corps, leveraging her expertise to prepare Surf & Sand athletes for success at the highest levels of the sport.

Makayla Pak brings an elite playing background and championship experience to the Surf & Sand FHC coaching staff.

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Makayla was most recently inducted into the Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus (FDU-Florham) Hall of Fame in 2025, recognizing her extraordinary four-year career as a defensive cornerstone for the Devils. Beyond her on-field excellence, Makayla was also named the FDU Woman of the Year, highlighting her achievements in academics, leadership, and service.

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As a collegiate player, Makayla earned numerous accolades, including NFHCA Second Team All-American, MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year, ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, and MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year. She was a key leader for teams that captured the 2018 MAC Freedom Championship (where she was named MVP of the tournament) and secured an NCAA Tournament bid.

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Makayla previously served as an Assistant Coach for the Red Bank Catholic field hockey program. She leverages her deep knowledge of defense, tactics, and high-level competition to mentor Surf & Sand athletes.

Kelsey Liebner is a dedicated coach who provides a fresh and encouraging perspective to the Surf & Sand FHC staff.

Kelsey is a part of the local field hockey community, having played at Jackson Memorial High School before competing collegiately at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus (FDU-Florham). Her experience as a college defender gives her first-hand knowledge of the demands placed on student-athletes.

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Now as a coach, Kelsey is committed to helping players develop the fundamental skills, strong work ethic, and positive team mentality needed to succeed both on and off the field.

Surf & Sand Field Hockey is thrilled to welcome Haley Budenas to the coaching staff, where she brings an exceptional championship pedigree and a deep tactical understanding cultivated at the collegiate level. Recently graduating from Johnson & Wales University (JWU) Providence, Coach Budenas immediately transitions from an elite defender and leader on the field to a high-impact mentor on the sidelines.

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A four-year standout for the JWU Wildcats, Coach Budenas’ playing career was defined by consistent excellence and leadership from the defensive third. She graduated as the program's all-time leader in games played and was a two-time winner of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Defensive Player of the Year award. A primary inserter on penalty corners, she was also an offensive force, accumulating 14 career assists and earning recognition on the NFHCA All-Region Team. Her experience anchored a dominant JWU defense that repeatedly ranked among the top in the nation for goals-against average and shutouts.

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Her dedication to academics, having been named an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction in her major of Cyber Threat Intelligence & Defense, reinforces her belief in developing the complete student-athlete at Surf & Sand FHC.