Story Courtesy Lebanon Valley Athletics

ANNVILLE, Pa. – Patrick Ratke, Director of Athletics, has announced Sanders "Sunny" Gelnovatch as the Head Coach of the Women's Soccer Program.

Gelnovatch becomes the seventh Head Coach of the Dutchmen as the program enters its 31st season in 2026. She comes to Annville after two seasons as the Head Coach at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Va. Gelnovatch led the Fighting Squirrels to an 11-6-1 record in 2025 and reached the USA South Semifinals for just the second time in program history while also recording the longest winning streak in program history.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sunny Gelnovatch to Lebanon Valley College as our next women's soccer coach," said Ratke. "Sunny brings tremendous energy, vision, and a commitment to excellence that aligns perfectly with who we are and where we want to go. We are confident in her ability to build a championship culture—one that prioritizes competitiveness, accountability, and the holistic development of our student-athletes. The program's future is very bright under her leadership."

Before Mary Baldwin, Gelnovatch spent a year as the Head Coach at Division II Lock Haven University and had assistant coaching stints at Alabama Huntsville and Bloomsburg. She was named to the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Class of 2022-23 and helped lead Bloomsburg to a PSAC Championship in 2021.

"I am beyond excited to lead the Lebanon Valley College Women's Soccer Program into this new era," stated Gelnovatch. "I look forward to building off the foundation that has been set. I would like to thank Daniel Chirico [Chief Financial Officer], Patrick Ratke [Director of Athletics] Stacey Hollinger [Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Women's Administrator], and the hiring committee for this amazing opportunity."

Gelnovatch is a 2020 graduate of Messiah University with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management. She earned her master's degree in Educational Leadership and College Student Affairs in 2022 while serving as a graduate assistant at Bloomsburg. The midfielder earned First Team All-America honors in 2019 while helping the Messiah win a National Championship in its second championship game appearance during her four years. The 2016 MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year was a First Team All-Conference selection all four years as the Falcons won three conference titles. Gelnovatch was named a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region selection three times in her career. She played in 93 games for the Falcons, recording 89 points on 31 goals, including nine game-winning goals, and 27 assists.

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