St. John Fisher University Athletics

Lauren Scorza became the third head coach in St. John Fisher field hockey history in February 2022. 

Scorza, who came to Fisher after spending four years as an assistant coach at the University of Rochester, has led the Cardinals to the Empire 8 Championship Tournament in each of her first three seasons. She owns a 20-5 record in conference regular-season games. 

The Empire 8 named Scorza its Coach of the Year in 2023 after the Cardinals went 11-8 overall and undefeated in Empire 8 regular-season play. They had the top overall seed in the conference tournament and beat Utica 1-0 in the semifinals before falling 2-1 to No. 2-seeded Hartwick in the title game. 

The Cardinals had the E8 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023 in Sophia Trozzi, who led the conference in save percentage (.810) that season. She allowed just 35 goals over 18 games, anchoring one of the region’s stingiest defenses. 

The Cardinals went 6-3 in Empire 8 play this past season (2024) and 7-2 in her first season (2022). The Cardinals ended both of those seasons in the Empire 8 semifinals. 

Before the 2024 season, Scorza was one of 28 coaches from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association who attended the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and networked with coaches from across the world through Zag Sports Tours. Scorza, who earned a scholarship from the NFCA that covered her tour experience, made stops in Holland, Belgium and France during the trip. She participated in coaching clinics – both on the field and in classrooms – with international field hockey professionals like Lennard Poillot, Arthur Bussink and John Bessel. Scorza and the other coaches also connected with Rachel Dawson, a three-time Olympian who attended the tour. 

Scorza worked under longtime head coach Wendy Andreatta at the University of Rochester, an NCAA Division III field hockey power. She helped guide the Yellowjackets to a 45-19 (.703) overall record and a Liberty League championship in 2019. The Yellowjackets reached the NCAA Tournament twice during Scorza’s time on staff and made a run to the Elite 8 in 2018, when they won a program-record 19 games. 

Scorza began her collegiate coaching career in 2015 at her alma mater, Syracuse University. The Orange that year went 21-1 overall and took down North Carolina, which beat SU in the ACC Championship final, in the national title game. That remains the only national championship won by a women's team in Syracuse history. 
 
In addition to her experience with Rochester, Scorza served as a head coach in the club ranks with Rochester New York Field Hockey Club, where she helped to mentor and develop high school students as they prepared to play at the collegiate level.

Scorza had a decorated playing career at Syracuse, where she helped the Orange win two Big East titles and reach the 2014 National Championship game. Named MVP of the 2011 Big East Tournament, Scorza still ranks seventh on Syracuse’s all-time goals list with 40. 

Scorza, who graduated from Syracuse with a degree in nutrition, currently resides in Penfield with her husband and two children. When she’s not coaching or watching field hockey, she enjoys hiking, trips to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.

Year By Year At Fisher

By The Numbers 

Total Empire 8 Selections: 19 (9 first team)

E8 Goalkeeper of the Year Winners: 1... Sophia Trozzi (2023)

National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region Selections: 4... Emma Cooper (second team in 2022, 2023 and 2024), Gianna Palma (second team in 2022)

NFHCA Scholars of Distinction: 20