Sophie Riskie '07 was promoted to head coach of the Heron field hockey program prior to the start of the 2021 season. She is just the third head coach in the program's storied history and the first alumna to lead the Herons.
In the 2024 season, Riskie guided the William Smith field hockey team to a 9-10 record that saw the Herons clinch a spot in the Liberty League postseason for the third straight season. William Smith went 4-3 in conference play to clinch the fourth seed in the postseason tournament where it fell to fifth-seeded Skidmore. Riskie mentored four All-Liberty League selections, including the Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Year who was also named to the NFHCA All-Region team. Riskie's Herons landed nine players on the Liberty League All-Academic team as well.
In her third year as head coach of the William Smith field hockey team, Riskie led the Herons to a 14-8 season, winning their second-straight Liberty League Championship and earning their second consecutive automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Riskie and the Herons fell to eventual national champions, No. 1 Middlebury in the second round of the tournament. William Smith defeated two nationally-ranked teams in the 2023 season, including No. 25 Ithaca in the Liberty League Championship game. Riskie mentored three Herons that landed on the NFHCA All-Region teams and one All-American in the 2023 season.
In her second year at the helm, Riskie led the Herons to a 17-5 season, winning her first Liberty League Championship since being named head coach. She and the Herons went a perfect 12-0 on McCooey Field, including a 4-0 win over Hartwick in the first round of the NCAA tournament. William Smith eventually fell 1-0 to national runners-up, No. 4 Johns Hopkins in the second round of the tournament. Riskie and her staff were named the NFHCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year following an 11-win increase from her first season in charge, including three wins over nationally ranked opponents. William Smith finished the season ranked 17th nationally.
Since returning to her alma mater as an assistant coach in 2008, Riskie has helped the Herons to a 153-91 record. During that time period, the Herons have won the Liberty League regular season title three times as well as the tournament title three times. She has been a part of three Liberty League Coaching Staffs of the Year and four NCAA tournament appearances.
Riskie has worked with 63 All-Liberty League selections, including conference players of the year Annie Kietzman '13 (2012), Melanie O'Connor '14 (2012), Margaret McConnell '14 (2013) and Hannah Wood '18 (2016 and 2017).
Riskie holds Level II coaching accreditation through USA Field Hockey. She has served as a coach in the USA Field Hockey Futures program since 2012 and has also served as a selector for USA Field Hockey regional events. She has served on the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Regional Advisory Committee and the NFHCA All-America/All-Region Committee.
The most dominant offensive player in William Smith history, Riskie 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, Riskie recorded a school record 70 points as a senior. Among NCAA Division III's all-time leaders, she graduated eighth in career points and ninth in career goals. She was inducted into the Heron Hall of Honor in 2016.
A standout in the classroom as well, Riskie 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.
In 2007, Riskie served 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 Riskie on the sideline, Ithaca posted a 6-10 record, including 4-2 mark in the Empire 8.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Riskie is also assistant athletic director helping with special events and the Heron Society.
