Campus Overview

Saint Francis University is a small, close-knit Catholic liberal arts college located in rural western Pennsylvania, with approximately 1,700 undergraduate students. The university offers an intimate academic environment with personalized attention and strong community connections.


Location & Setting Rural setting in Loretto, Pennsylvania, situated in a small town within the Allegheny Mountain region. The campus is nestled in a scenic, wooded area approximately 90 miles east of Pittsburgh, characterized by a quiet, tight-knit community atmosphere with limited immediate urban amenities.

Campus Life Small campus with a tight student community, emphasizing personal relationships and engagement. On-campus housing is readily available, with most students living in residence halls or nearby campus housing. Limited Greek life, with social activities primarily centered around campus events, athletic programs, and campus organizations.

Student Body Predominantly regional student population, with most students coming from Pennsylvania and surrounding mid-Atlantic states. Majority are first-generation college students, with a strong Catholic and community-oriented background. Typically collaborative and service-minded student culture.

Academics Strong emphasis on health sciences, engineering, and professional preparation programs. Known for small class sizes, personalized faculty mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences. Notable strengths in nursing, healthcare, and STEM disciplines with a practical, career-focused academic approach.

Athletics & Sports NCAA Division III athletic program with competitive teams across multiple sports. Strong emphasis on student-athlete academic performance and community involvement. Robust athletic culture with significant campus spirit, particularly in basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

Lifestyle & Weather Typical Appalachian mountain climate with cold winters and moderate summers. Four distinct seasons with significant snowfall. A car is recommended due to rural location, though campus is walkable. Outdoor recreational opportunities include hiking, skiing, and exploring nearby state parks and natural areas.

Field Hockey (2025)

Level
D1 Low
RPI Rank
#54
2025 Record
Overall: 14-5
Conference
Northeast Conference
Coach
Mackenzie Allessie

School

Type
Private (Roman Catholic)
Classification
Master's: Larger Programs
Common Majors:
Health Professions (36%)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (40%)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (36%)
• Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (17%)
• Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (4%)
• Public Health (2%)
Business (20%)
Accounting and Related Services (36%)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (29%)
• Finance and Financial Management Services (14%)
• Marketing (12%)
• Management Information Systems and Services (7%)
• Business/Managerial Economics (3%)
Education (11%)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (47%)
• Special Education and Teaching (40%)
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (13%)
Biology (10%)
Engineering (5%)
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (38%)
• Petroleum Engineering (38%)
• Engineering, General (25%)

Student Body

Total
1,931
Undergrad
79%
Demographics
62% women
Student:Faculty
14:1

Programs of Interest

Environmental Science
Psychology (2.7%)
Biology (9.5%)
Sports Med / Kinesiology (35.9%)
French

Academics

Admission Rate
77%
SAT Median
1,135
SAT Range
1,020-1,250
ACT Median
23
Retention
88%
Graduation
73%

Costs

In-State
$41,720
Out-of-State
$41,720
Room & Board
$13,880
Avg Net Price
$19,173
Net price = average after financial aid

Weather

Winter
Cold
HighLow
January33°16°
April58°34°
July79°56°
October60°38°
Oct/Apr = field hockey season

Location

Setting
Rural (Rural: Distant)
Nearest City
Washington, DC
Distance
140 miles

Coaching Staff

Name Position Contact Bio
Mackenzie Allessie Head Coach mallessie@francis.edu View Bio
Haley Connor Graduate Assistant View Bio

Roster Breakdown

23 players

Geographic Recruiting

In-State: 78% (18 players)
US Out-of-State: 4% (1 player)
International: 17% (4 players)
Pennsylvania: 78% (18 players)
Argentina: 9% (2 players)

Position Breakdown

Forward: 7 (30.4%)
Midfielder: 5 (21.7%)
Midfielder/Defender: 1 (4.3%)
Defender: 8 (34.8%)
Goalkeeper: 2 (8.7%)

Class Year Distribution

Freshman: 6 (26.1%)
Sophomore: 9 (39.1%)
Junior: 4 (17.4%)
Senior: 4 (17.4%)

Full Roster (23 players)

# Name Position Year Height Hometown High School
1 Madison Waldspurger D Sr. 5-6 Hatfield, Pa. North Penn
2 Anna Commero F So. 5-3 Ephrata, Pa. Ephrata
3 Madilyn Donmoyer D So. 5-2 Harrisburg, Pa. Bishop McDevitt
4 Emilee Myers D Sr. 5-6 York, Pa. Central York
7 Grace Reed F Sr. 5-7 Nanticoke, Pa. Greater Nanticoke Area
8 Brooklyn Widdess M Jr. 5-4 Kelowna, British Columbia Kelowna Secondary School
9 Chloe Butz D/M Sr. 5-2 Stroudsburg, Pa. Stroudsburg
10 Cruz Cánepa M So. 5-3 Barcelona, Spain Colegio Santo Angel
11 Morgan Smeltz M Fr. 5-4 Carlisle, Pa. Cumberland Valley
12 Avery Bradburn D So. 5-2 Lancaster, Pa. Penn Manor
13 Hailee Adams D Fr. 5-2 Lititz, Pa. Warwick
14 Josefina Sayal Aguirre D So. 5-7 Buenos Aires, Argentina Escuela Secundaria Padre José Dardi
15 Hannah Capo F So. 5-8 Fountainville, Pa. Pennridge
16 Julia Barto D Jr. 5-7 Lititz, Pa. Warwick
19 Ryan Engleman F Fr. 5-0 York, Pa. Central York
21 Sofia Marciano M So. 5-6 Buenos Aires, Argentina Del Viso Day School
22 T Ciaccia F Jr. 5-3 Lehman, Pa. Lake Lehman
24 Addie Sholly M So. 5-3 Palmyra, Pa. Palmyra
25 Gianna Lambert F Fr. 5-4 Gap, Pa. Octorara Area
26 Kylee Hager F So. 5-4 Holland, Pa. Council Rock South
28 Delaney Amole D Fr. 5-1 Gap, Pa. Octorara Area
30 Piper Almy GK Fr. 5-11 Trumbull, Conn. Trumbell
44 Mia DiGenova GK Jr. 5-4 King of Prussia, Pa. Bishop Shanahan