COACHES
Owner & Club Director
Benjamin 'Ben' Peters
Coach Ben began playing field hockey at age 12 in his hometown of Sudbury, England. At 15, he completed his England Level 1 Umpiring course, beginning a journey that would eventually take him to the international stage.
In 2008, Ben moved to the United States and joined Venom during the club's early years as assistant coach and then quickly moved up the ranks to the position he is in today.
In addition to his ownership and coaching responsibilities at Venom, Ben is an FIH International Umpire representing the United States. He was awarded his international badge in 2012 and currently sits on the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Leading Panel, which is the highest level in the world with 80+ international caps.
Ben has officiated international hockey events around the world, including:
- 3 seasons of the FIH Pro League
- 2 Men's Junior World Cups
- 3 FIH Nations Cups
- 2 Pan American Games
- 2 Pan American Cups
- 81 international caps for the United States
- Numerous additional international competitions
Ben also officiates NCAA field hockey and has been selected as an NCAA Division I National Championship umpire.
He holds England Level 1 and USA Field Hockey Level 2 coaching accreditations and was named USA Field Hockey's 2024 National Umpire of the Year.
Ben's unique perspective as both a coach and international official gives Venom athletes the opportunity to learn the game from someone who has experienced field hockey at the highest levels of competition.
U16 & U19 Director
Ciara Calderone
Coach Ciara began playing field hockey in fifth grade and went on to have a standout high school career at Allentown High School in New Jersey, where she was a four-year starter and team captain. During her high school career, she earned All-Colonial Valley Conference First Team, All-Area, and All-Group honors, as well as Team MVP and Athlete of the Year recognition.
Ciara continued her playing career at Hofstra University, competing at the NCAA Division I level. She also played club field hockey with Jersey Intensity, where she competed at the highest levels of the sport and earned multiple national medals, including gold medals at the National Field Hockey Festival, Disney Showcase, and National Indoor Tournament. She also represented the club internationally in Argentina.
Ciara's experience with Jersey Intensity extended beyond her playing career. She spent more than a decade playing and coaching within the program under the leadership of Nigel Traverso, gaining extensive experience in elite player development and high-level team preparation.
As a coach, Ciara has helped lead teams to multiple gold and silver medal finishes and has coached athletes who went on to represent USA Field Hockey Women's National Teams.
After moving to Pittsburgh, Ciara continued developing athletes throughout the region through coaching roles with North Allegheny Youth Field Hockey, Cranberry Township Field Hockey, and Pittsburgh Venom.
Ciara also coaches within USA Field Hockey's Nexus program, further expanding her experience in identifying and developing athletes within the national development pathway.
As Venom's U16/U19 Director, Ciara is focused on helping athletes at the high school and collegiate-preparatory levels reach their potential through strong technical development, tactical education, competitive opportunities, and recruiting preparation.
She is passionate about expanding opportunities for both boys and girls in Western Pennsylvania and helping athletes pursue field hockey at whatever level is right for them.
U12 & U14 Director
Sandra Zugell
Coach Sandra began playing field hockey in third grade and went on to have an outstanding high school career at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, where she was a three-time State Champion. She earned All-State honors and was named MVP in field hockey, while also serving as captain and earning MVP honors in soccer.
Sandra continued her development through the USA Field Hockey Nexus Program, USA Elite regional camps, and the National Futures Tournament. She went on to become a four-year letter winner and starter at the University of Michigan, where she primarily played center back and sweeper.
During her collegiate career, Sandra earned NFHCA Division I All-Big Ten Second Team, All-Region (West), and All-Region West Second Team honors. She was also selected to participate in the NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Game and was a member of the 1997 Big Ten Championship team.
Sandra has been coaching with Pittsburgh Venom Field Hockey Club and the Tigers Youth Field Hockey program since 2021. She also currently coaches with the Cranberry Township Field Hockey program, bringing extensive experience working with athletes at the youth and developmental levels.
Sandra is a USA Field Hockey Level 2 Certified Coach and a RRCA Level 1 Certified Running Coach.
As Venom's U12/U14 Director, Sandra is passionate about building strong fundamentals and helping young athletes develop confidence, skills, teamwork, and a love for the game. She believes in helping athletes become well-rounded individuals while learning how to balance athletics, academics, and the demands of everyday life.
Sandra is committed to growing field hockey throughout Western Pennsylvania and creating positive opportunities for young athletes to develop both on and off the field.
Courtney Page I Elite Head Coach
Courtney Page began playing field hockey in fifth grade at Northwestern Lehigh High School, where she became a multi-year letter winner in both field hockey and track & field. She helped lead Northwestern Lehigh to its first district playoff appearance in several years and earned multiple All-Area honors.
Courtney continued her playing career at Slippery Rock University, where she made the freshman record book for assists and scored two of the three fastest goals in program history. She was selected to the NFHCA Senior Team and was recognized as an NFHCA and PSAC Scholar-Athlete four times.
Following her collegiate career, Courtney returned to Northwestern Lehigh as a varsity and junior varsity assistant coach. During her time with the program, the team earned District Championship and Colonial League Silver Medalist honors in 2022, as well as District Semifinalist and Colonial League Quarterfinalist finishes in 2021.
Courtney joined Pittsburgh Venom Field Hockey Club in 2023 and continues to bring her playing and coaching experience to the club's athletes. In 2026, she took over as Head Coach of Peters Township High School Field Hockey, further expanding her experience as a leader and developer of young athletes.
Courtney holds a USA Field Hockey Level 1 coaching certification and is passionate about helping athletes develop their skills, confidence, and understanding of the game.
Mackenzie Witherite | Goalkeeper Coach
Mackenzie Gagliardi brings extensive playing and coaching experience to Venom, with a background that spans NCAA Division I competition, high school and collegiate coaching, and USA Field Hockey's national development pathway.
Mackenzie currently serves as the Head Field Hockey Coach at Washington & Jefferson College, a position she assumed in June 2025. Prior to joining W&J, she was the Head Coach at Dallas High School, where she led the Mountaineers to three consecutive district playoff appearances. In 2024, she guided the program to its first district championship game in more than a decade, earning the team a berth in the Pennsylvania State Tournament.
She also serves as a Level 1 Nexus Coach with USA Field Hockey, helping identify and develop U14–U19 athletes within the national development pathway.
A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Mackenzie was a multi-sport athlete at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, earning four varsity letters in field hockey, softball, and swimming. During her high school career, she helped lead the field hockey program to two Pennsylvania State Championships in 2011 and 2013.
Mackenzie continued her field hockey career as a goalkeeper at Cornell University, competing at the NCAA Division I level. In 2016, she received the Jeff Stenstrom Memorial Award, presented to the student-athlete who best exemplifies leadership, dedication, and strength of character.
As Venom's Goalkeeper Coach and Assistant Coach, Mackenzie works with athletes to develop the technical skills, confidence, decision-making, and game awareness needed to succeed in the goalkeeper position and at higher levels of competition.
Carly Kubacka I Assistant Coach
Carly Kubacka began playing field hockey as a freshman at Norwin High School in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. During her high school career, she was a four-year varsity player and served as team captain for two years. As a senior, Carly earned First Team All-Star and All-Conference honors.
While playing at Norwin, Carly was also a member of Pittsburgh Venom Field Hockey Club for three years, making her a former Venom athlete who has now returned to the program as a coach.
Following high school, Carly continued her playing career at Seton Hill University, competing at the NCAA Division II level and starting as a midfielder. After her freshman season, she transferred to Central Michigan University, where she competed at the NCAA Division I level. During her junior season, Carly was named a team captain.
Following her collegiate playing career, Carly returned to her alma mater and became the Varsity Head Field Hockey Coach at Norwin High School, a position she currently holds.
Carly joined the Venom coaching staff in 2025 and brings valuable experience as a former Venom athlete, NCAA Division I and Division II player, and current high school head coach.
She is a USA Field Hockey Level 1 Certified Coach and is passionate about helping the next generation of athletes develop their skills, confidence, and love for the game.
Holly Stiller | Assistant Coach
Holly Stiller began playing field hockey in fifth grade and went on to have an accomplished high school career at Iroquois Central School in New York. She earned four varsity letters and was named a four-time First Team All-EOC Section 6 honoree and a three-time First Team All-Western New York selection.
During her time at Iroquois, Holly helped lead her team to four division titles and multiple championships. As a senior captain, she provided leadership both on and off the field. She also competed in club field hockey with the WNY Whalers before continuing her playing career at Slippery Rock University.
At Slippery Rock, Holly earned NFHCA All-Academic Squad and PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors in 2019, 2020, and 2021. On the field, she was a strong and reliable defender. In 2021, Holly started all 16 games and tied for second on the team in assists. During the 2019 season, she started all 18 games, ranked sixth nationally with five defensive saves, and finished her collegiate career ranked seventh in Slippery Rock program history for defensive saves.
Holly has been coaching with Pittsburgh Venom for the past two years and is passionate about helping athletes develop their skills, confidence, and understanding of the game.
She is a USA Field Hockey Level 1 Certified Coach and remains committed to growing the sport and creating positive opportunities for young athletes throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Ali Gasperini | Assistant Coach
Ali Gasperini grew up in Lancaster County and attended Ephrata High School, where she earned 12 varsity letters and All-Star honors in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She was later inducted into her high school Hall of Fame.
Ali continued her field hockey career as a midfielder at the University of Michigan, where she served as team captain and helped lead the Wolverines to an NCAA National Championship her senior year and an NCAA runner-up finish her sophomore year. She was also a two-time Big Ten Champion and Big Ten Tournament Champion. Following her senior season, Ali was named “M” Woman of the Year and nominated for NCAA Collegiate Woman of the Year.
After moving to Pittsburgh, Ali began her coaching career as the Head Varsity Field Hockey Coach at Shadyside Academy and later spent four seasons at Mt. Lebanon High School, where she led the program to its first WPIAL Championship in 2005.
More recently, Ali helped establish the Pittsburgh Catholic Angels field hockey program and currently coaches its youth and middle school teams. She also leads local clinics and camps focused on growing field hockey throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Ali joined Venom in Spring 2026 and brings decades of playing, coaching, and player-development experience to the club.
Taylor Page | Goalkeeper Coach
Taylor Page began playing field hockey in sixth grade at Northwestern Lehigh School District in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania. She was a four-year varsity starter and four-year Colonial League All-Star. As a senior, she earned First Team All-Area and Second Team All-State honors, captained her team, and helped lead Northwestern Lehigh to its first state playoff appearance in more than a decade.
Taylor continued her playing career at Slippery Rock University, where she was a two-time member of the NFHCA All-Academic Squad and a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete.
Following college, Taylor began coaching as the Goalkeeper Coach at Peters Township High School. She joined Venom in 2024 and is a USA Field Hockey Level 1 Certified Coach.
Delaney Lentz | Assistant Coach
Delaney Lentz began playing field hockey in seventh grade and went on to become a three-year starter and senior captain at Penn-Trafford High School. During her high school career, she helped the program win four WPIAL Championships.
A proud Venom alumna, Delaney was a member of the club's 2022 National Indoor Tournament Championship team and the 2021 Shooting Star Thanksgiving Tournament Championship team.
Delaney continued her playing career at the NCAA Division I level, competing as a defender for Lindenwood University and Mercyhurst University. She was a four-year starter, earned Scholar of Distinction honors twice, and was named to the National Academic Squad three times.
Delaney returned to Venom as a coach in 2025 and is a USA Field Hockey Level 1 Certified Coach.
Brooke Page | Assistant Coach
Brooke Page began playing field hockey in kindergarten in the Northwestern Lehigh School District. During her high school career, she was a four-year varsity starter, helping lead her team to three district championships and a league championship. She also served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons and competed in club field hockey with High Styx.
Brooke began her collegiate career as a defender at Central Michigan University (NCAA Division I) before transferring to Slippery Rock University (NCAA Division II) following her sophomore year. She recently completed her junior season as a midfielder and is preparing for her final season of collegiate field hockey.
Brooke joined Venom in Spring 2026 and holds a USA Field Hockey Level 1 coaching certification.
Taylor Geaglone | Assistant Coach
Taylor Geaglone began playing field hockey in fourth grade in Enfield, Connecticut, where she was named Connecticut State High School Field Hockey Player of the Year as a senior.
She continued her career at the University of New Haven (NCAA Division II) as a five-year starting center back. Taylor earned multiple NE-10 All-Conference honors and was named NE-10 Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and an NFHCA Second Team All-American during her final season.
After college, Taylor coached at Kenyon College, FHL, and HTC Field Hockey Club before moving to Pittsburgh and joining Venom in Spring 2026.
Taylor holds a USA Field Hockey Level 1 coaching certification.
