Coaching Staff

Head Coach Sally Scatton

Assistant Coach Sophie Dennis '07

Assistant Coach Skylar Beaver '08

Head Coach Sally Scatton

Since 1988, Sally Scatton has directed one of the premier field hockey programs in the nation. The Herons have captured three NCAA Division III National Championships (1992, 1997, 2000) and one ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship (1999) in 19 postseason appearances.

William Smith has reached the NCAA Regional Final 14 times in Scatton's 19 seasons. The Herons have won at least 12 games every year under her watchful eye, and they’ve never suffered a losing season.

In Liberty League play, the Herons have won eight of the 12 crowns contested since the League was founded in 1995. An outstanding mentor, Scatton has overseen the development of nine Liberty League Players of the Year. A six-time Liberty League Coach of the Year, she earned the NFHCA Regional and National Coach of the Year honors in 1992, 1997, and 2000, and garnered her fourth regional award in 2004.

William Smith’s most recent national championship came courtesy of a record setting run. Scatton’s charges lost their season opener on the road, but responded with a single season record 20 consecutive victories, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the Liberty League. With the Herons, Scatton has posted an impressive 313-83-3 (.788) record.

Scatton recently served on the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Committee, serving as the chair in 2005-06.

An accomplished coach of not only field hockey, but lacrosse, basketball, and swimming as well, Scatton has guided teams at Cornell University, Wells College, and Gorham High School in Maine.

A 1975 magna cum laude graduate of Ithaca College, she played four years of field hockey and lacrosse and three years of basketball, earning the school’s Senior Woman Athlete of the Year award. In the fall of 1997 Scatton was inducted into the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame. She earned a master’s degree in education from Cortland in 1981.

Scatton also serves as an assistant director of athletics at William Smith. She has two sons, Brandon H’02 and Nathaniel H’06.

Assistant Coach Sophie Dennis '07

Sophie Dennis returns to her alma mater for her first season as an assistant coach.

“Sophie was a tremendous leader on and off the field as a Heron student-athlete,” Athletic Director Deb Steward says. “Her leadership skills, intricate knowledge of Heron athletics and passion for field hockey will be a great asset to our outstanding field hockey program.

“In addition, her experience as a graduate assistant coach at Ithaca has helped her in the transition from player to coach. And her scholarly interest in athletic administration will be a great asset to our athletic department.”

The most dominant offensive player in William Smith history, Dennis broke the Heron career records for goals (89), assists (39), and points (217). She was a three-time NFHCA All-American and a four-time All-Liberty League selection. The conference leader in goals scored in each of her four seasons, Dennis recorded a school record 70 points as a senior. Among NCAA Division III all-time leaders, she ranks ninth in career goals and 10th in career points.

A standout in the classroom as well, Dennis twice earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team recognition, while garnering three consecutive All-Academic awards from the NFHCA and the Liberty League. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in sports in society.

Dennis spent the past year as a graduate assistant coach at Ithaca College. While pursuing a master’s degree in sport management and media, she served as an assistant coach for the Bombers’ field hockey team. With Dennis on the sideline, Ithaca posted a 6-10 record, including 4-2 mark in the Empire 8.

Assistant Coach Skylar Beaver '08

Skylar Beaver enters her first season as a part-time assistant coach for the Heron field hockey team. Beaver also works for the Colleges full-time as an assistant director of annual giving. 

“We are thrilled to have Skylar on our coaching staff,” Head Coach Sally Scatton said. “She brings enormous skill, experience, and energy to the program. After contributing on the field, it’s great to have her continue with the program in this capacity.” 

A 2008 graduate of William Smith, Beaver was a four-year member of the Heron hockey squad. As a defender, she tallied seven career defensive saves and played in 56 career games, while helping William Smith to four straight Liberty League Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Beaver was a two-time All-Liberty League selection, as well as a two-time NFHCA All-North Atlantic pick. She earned all-academic accolades from the NFHCA, and was the recipient of the William Smith Athletic Department’s Betsy Mitchell Award in 2008. 

As a student, Beaver served as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and William Smith’s club ice hockey team. She acted as a color commentator for CSTV’s broadcast of the 2006 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships, announced Heron lacrosse games, and was a radio commentator for Hobart ice hockey contests as well. 

Beaver’s coaching experience includes helping with the selection of the 2006 and 2007 field hockey teams for the Empire State Games, as well as three years as a coach at the Sweet Home High School Field Hockey Camp. Beaver was also a volunteer assistant for the 2006 USA National Girls Ice Hockey Championship. 

In addition to her many activities and interests, Beaver has volunteered her time, acting as a mentor for first-year HWS students, and being involved with KidBiz and the Family Counseling Center in Geneva, as well as the Haven House in Buffalo. 

A native of Williamsville, Beaver has a bachelor of arts degree in sociology.

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