Lucia Antocci will take over the Fitchburg High School field hockey program in 2026, stepping into the role vacated by Kelly O’Connor, who resigned after several seasons at the helm. The appointment marks the culmination of a 13‑year journey through the program’s middle‑school, junior‑varsity and varsity layers.
Deep Roots in Fitchburg
Antocci, a 1999 graduate of Fitchburg High School, has coached at every level within the school’s athletic department. In addition to her hockey responsibilities, she also serves as an assistant for the varsity softball team, working alongside head coach Chris Kitchin and gaining a broad perspective on athlete development.
The Raiders have struggled in recent years, winning only five games over the past three seasons and posting a 4‑13‑1 record in 2025. Antocci inherits a program that needs both tactical renewal and a boost in confidence, but she also brings a deep reservoir of institutional knowledge and a proven ability to nurture talent.
Antocci’s vision centers on leveraging a strong returning core while investing in freshman recruitment to build a sustainable pipeline of talent. She hopes the continuity of a well‑cohesive group that began together in middle school will translate into greater on‑field chemistry and long‑term success.
The season will open with a road test against St. Bernard’s on September 11, followed by a home debut against the same opponent on September 21 at Crocker Field. These early matchups will provide a clear gauge of the team’s progress under Antocci’s leadership.