Matt Yingst has been the Head Coach of Lebanon Valley's Women's Ice Hockey team since the 2017-18 season.
In 2023-24, Yingst coached three players who received all-conference recognition from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Anna Dale and Erin Yorke were both named to the All-MAC Second Team, while Mia Frisoni was listed as an Honorable Mention. Additionally, three players were chosen as American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Krampade All-American Scholars, and 12 student-athletes were selected to the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) All-Academic Team.
In 2022-23, Yingst guided Lebanon Valley to a team-record 12 wins and an appearance in the UCHC Quarterfinal. Katrina Strauts was named the UCHC Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie Team while also receiving All-MAC First Team honors. Additionally, Shelby Guinard earned All-MAC Second Team recognition, and Ionna Christou was listed as an All-MAC Honorable Mention.
During the 2021-22 season, Yingst led the Dutchmen to eight wins and the program's first postseason berth into the UCHC Tournament. Abby Radcliffe and Erin Yorke each earned a spot on the All-MAC team, while Olivia Cindrich was named the MAC Women's Ice Hockey Senior Scholar-Athlete. During the season Shelby Guinard earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors and Olivia Magneson was tabbed UCHC Goaltender of the Week.
In a shortened 2020-21 campaign, Yingst was named the MAC Coach of the Year. Goaltender Shelby Guinard was also named a first-team performer and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year, the second straight season a Dutchmen netminder has garnered the award. Olivia Cindrich also earned First Team honors while Chloe Glass was named an Honorable Mention.
In 2019-20, Yingst led LVC to five wins. He coached Jill Moffatt to a stellar senior season to cap off a record-setting career. Moffatt was the UCHC Goaltender and Defensive Player of the Year as well as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team selection. Moffatt finished her career under Yingst with 4,444 saves, the most all-time in NCAA women's ice hockey history. She also recently signed with Bjorkloven, a professional club in Sweden.
Yingst guided LVC to six wins in 2018-19, including three conference victories. Jill Moffatt was named the UCHC Co-Goaltender of the Year and landed on the All-MAC First Team, while Amy Templeman also earned First Team honors and Chloe Glass garnered Second Team recognition.
In the 2017-18 season, Yingst guided goaltender Jill Moffatt to a historic campaign, as the assistant captain broke the NCAA Division III single-season saves record with 1,267. She had a .911 saves percentage and made at least 60 saves in a game 12 times, and stopped at least 70 shots in one game six separate times. For her efforts, she was named to the All-MAC First Team.
Yingst, a former assistant for LVC's Men's Ice Hockey team, most recently served as the director of hockey operations for the Hershey Jr. Bears. Prior to taking over with the youth organization, Yingst served on the Flying Dutchmen staff from 1999-2007 under former head coach Al MacCormack and was a member of the program's 2001 ECAC Northeast Championship squad.
"We are excited to welcome Matt Yingst to the LVC Athletic Department," said Director of Athletics
Rick Beard '90, M'92. "We are confident that Matt brings the right mix of ice hockey knowledge and work ethic to help our women's ice hockey program reach new heights. His passion for the game and Lebanon Valley College was evident throughout the search process and there is no doubt he will hit the ground running."
After finishing up his playing days at the University of Connecticut, Yingst played professionally for a number of clubs, including the AHL's Hershey Bears, and the Johnstown Chiefs and Columbus Chili of the ECHL. His familiarity with hockey in the region runs deep as his father Doug Yingst served as the president and general manager of the Bears from 1998 until he retired from the position in 2016.
"For me, it's incredibly exciting," said Yingst when asked about his emotions as he takes the reins of the women's program. "My history with the school goes back forever. With this opportunity to come on board with the women's team, I'm on cloud nine. I can't wait to meet with the players and talk with them again."
The 2016-17 campaign was the first in program history for the Dutchmen. LVC finished the season with four victories. Yingst is excited about the prospect of leading the team into a new era as it continues to grow moving forward.
"I'm in this for the long haul," he said. "My roots are in Central Pennsylvania and I can't wait to build the program and get the community involved. I'm ecstatic."
|
Overall |
|
|
|
UCHC |
|
|
|
|
| Year |
Won |
Loss |
Tie |
Pct. |
Won |
Loss |
Tie |
Pct. |
Accolades |
| 2017-18 |
2 |
19 |
2 |
.130 |
1 |
14 |
1 |
.094 |
|
| 2018-19 |
6 |
18 |
1 |
.260 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
.167 |
|
| 2019-20 |
5 |
18 |
1 |
.229 |
5 |
12 |
1 |
.306 |
|
| 2020-21 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
.050 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
.062 |
MAC Coach of the Year |
| 2021-22 |
8 |
14 |
1 |
.377 |
7 |
12 |
1 |
.383 |
UCHC Quarterfinal |
| 2022-23 |
12 |
13 |
1 |
.487 |
9 |
10 |
1 |
.483 |
UCHC Quarterfinal |
| 2023-24 |
5 |
18 |
2 |
.227 |
4 |
15 |
1 |
.217 |
|
| 7 Seasons |
38 |
109 |
9 |
.272 |
29 |
85 |
6 |
.267 |
