Field Hockey Announces Ayla Halus-Johnson as Assistant Coach
3/4/2026 9:04:00 AM | Field Hockey
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University field hockey head coach Lynn Farquhar has announced Ayla Halus-Johnson as an assistant coach with the Orange in March 2026.
"Ayla is an elite competitor who has poured herself into her craft and brings a relentless passion for coaching," said Farquhar. "Her drive, intensity and commitment to excellence embody Syracuse hockey. Our program thrives on authentic leadership, honest communication and shared experiences, and Ayla elevates all of it. We're fired up to welcome her to the Orange family."
With a professional career spanning over a dozen years, Halus-Johnson joins Syracuse after three seasons at Penn State as an assistant coach with the highly-ranked Nittany Lions. Working closely with the goalkeeping unit, Halus-Johnson worked on development with the group, emphasizing technical skills, tactical decision making, communication and leadership. During her time at Penn State, the Nittany Lions improved their goals against average by a full point in those three seasons. In Fall 2025, Aby Deverka posted four shutouts, the fourth-most in the Big Ten with 70 saves, also the fourth-most in the conference.
"Being named to this role at Syracuse University is both meaningful and energizing," stated Halus-Johnson. "I am grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to pour my passion, creativity, and commitment into serving our student-athletes and this incredible community. I look forward to pursuing championships while developing confident leaders on and off the field."
Prior to her time in Happy Valley, Halus-Johnson was an assistant coach at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. While there, the Tribe cracked the NFHCA Coaches Poll Top 20 in six consecutive weeks during the 2022 campaign.
Syracuse will not be the first stint in Central New York for Halus-Johnson, who was an assistant coach and acting head coach at nearby Colgate University from 2017-2021. During her time with the Raiders, Halus-Johnson oversaw daily operations and competition management, recruiting coordination, academic oversight, practice planning and game preparation.
From 2015-2017, Halus-Johnson was an assistant coach at Indiana University, working closely with NFHCA All-Region and All-Big Ten goalkeepers, the penalty corner units, and coordination of defensive structures.
Halus-Johnson began her coaching journey as a volunteer assistant coach at Lock Haven University, developing the goalkeepers, planning practices, and assisting with game preparation.
On the national level, Halus-Johnson served as a USA Nexus/Futures coach and selector for seven years and was a Junior High Performance U16/U19 coach.
An All-American and double degree holder from Penn State, Halus-Johnson earned a Master of Education in secondary education and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. As a student-athlete at Penn State, Halus-Johnson played in 69 games, logging 4,387 minutes in goal. Sporting a 50-18 record with the Nittany Lions, Halus-Johnson logged 15 shutouts, including six in 2010. With Halus-Johnson on the roster, Penn State secured four NCAA Tournament berths, two Big Ten Tournament Championships, and two Big Ten Regular Season Championships. After graduation from Penn State, Halus-Johnson was a member of the U.S. Indoor National Team.
"Ayla is an elite competitor who has poured herself into her craft and brings a relentless passion for coaching," said Farquhar. "Her drive, intensity and commitment to excellence embody Syracuse hockey. Our program thrives on authentic leadership, honest communication and shared experiences, and Ayla elevates all of it. We're fired up to welcome her to the Orange family."
With a professional career spanning over a dozen years, Halus-Johnson joins Syracuse after three seasons at Penn State as an assistant coach with the highly-ranked Nittany Lions. Working closely with the goalkeeping unit, Halus-Johnson worked on development with the group, emphasizing technical skills, tactical decision making, communication and leadership. During her time at Penn State, the Nittany Lions improved their goals against average by a full point in those three seasons. In Fall 2025, Aby Deverka posted four shutouts, the fourth-most in the Big Ten with 70 saves, also the fourth-most in the conference.
"Being named to this role at Syracuse University is both meaningful and energizing," stated Halus-Johnson. "I am grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to pour my passion, creativity, and commitment into serving our student-athletes and this incredible community. I look forward to pursuing championships while developing confident leaders on and off the field."
Prior to her time in Happy Valley, Halus-Johnson was an assistant coach at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. While there, the Tribe cracked the NFHCA Coaches Poll Top 20 in six consecutive weeks during the 2022 campaign.
Syracuse will not be the first stint in Central New York for Halus-Johnson, who was an assistant coach and acting head coach at nearby Colgate University from 2017-2021. During her time with the Raiders, Halus-Johnson oversaw daily operations and competition management, recruiting coordination, academic oversight, practice planning and game preparation.
From 2015-2017, Halus-Johnson was an assistant coach at Indiana University, working closely with NFHCA All-Region and All-Big Ten goalkeepers, the penalty corner units, and coordination of defensive structures.
Halus-Johnson began her coaching journey as a volunteer assistant coach at Lock Haven University, developing the goalkeepers, planning practices, and assisting with game preparation.
On the national level, Halus-Johnson served as a USA Nexus/Futures coach and selector for seven years and was a Junior High Performance U16/U19 coach.
An All-American and double degree holder from Penn State, Halus-Johnson earned a Master of Education in secondary education and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. As a student-athlete at Penn State, Halus-Johnson played in 69 games, logging 4,387 minutes in goal. Sporting a 50-18 record with the Nittany Lions, Halus-Johnson logged 15 shutouts, including six in 2010. With Halus-Johnson on the roster, Penn State secured four NCAA Tournament berths, two Big Ten Tournament Championships, and two Big Ten Regular Season Championships. After graduation from Penn State, Halus-Johnson was a member of the U.S. Indoor National Team.
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