Longwood University Athletics

Taylor Herold joined the Longwood field hockey staff in July 2015. A Virginia native, Herold returned to the Commonwealth after spending four years as a standout forward and midfielder for the prestigious Penn State field hockey team.

Herold enters her fourth season as an assistant at Longwood where her duties include film breakdown, scouting, running practice drills to recruiting.

The 2017 season, her third on the staff, was a successful campaign as the team made their second Mid-American Conference Championship semifinals appearance in as many seasons. Herold oversaw the development of many All-MAC performers including goalkeeper Katie Wyman, who collected five shutouts in her first full season as a starter. Herold also oversaw players such as Edel Nyland, Lil-Sophie Achterwinter and Leonie Verstraete - first team performers - and second team member Clara Meschini.

In Herold's second season as a member of the coaching staff, the Lancers finished 9-9 overall and 3-3 in conference play and a MAC Championship apperance in the program's third year as a member of the conference. Four Lancers earned All-MAC honors in 2016, including first-team selections Edel Nyland and Ellen Ross, and second-team players Leonie Verstraete and Lil-Sophie Achterwinter. The Lancers finished the season as the third seed in the MAC and made their first appearance in postseason play.

In her first year on the Lancer staff, Herold helped Longwood to a 7-10 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Mid-American Conference play in the program’s second year as an affiliate member of the league. The Lancers landed a trio of All-MAC honors in 2015, including first-team selections Jennifer Burris and Edel Nyland, and second-team pick Lil-Sophie Achterwinter, who helped the squad finish tied for third place in the final conference standings.

During Herold’s four years at Penn State, the Nittany Lions advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament each year and thrice participated in the Elite Eight round. Herold was a part of two Big Ten Regular Season Championships in 2012 and 2013, and also helped the squad to a pair of Big Ten Tournament Championships in 2011 and 2012.

As a junior, Herold was named to the All-Big Ten second team and was a Big Ten All-Academic honoree. In her final campaign at Penn State, Herold racked up First Team All-Big Ten recognition along with NFHCA First Team All-Region, Second Team All-American and All-Academic honors. The forward led Penn State with 18 goals and 43 points in 2014 and ranks ninth all-time in program history with 52 goals.

Off the field, Herold was a four-year participant in the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON). She took part in the athlete hour while also running in the 5k event. Herold also volunteered to work several of the booths and activities during THON. In addition, she also volunteered with Penn State Ability Athletics, working with the wheelchair basketball program.

A native of Fredericksburg, Herold was the 2010 VHSL Female Athlete of the Year and Field Hockey Player of the Year while playing at James Monroe High School.