SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union College head women's hockey coach Josh Sciba has been named an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team for a second consecutive season, USA Hockey announced on Monday afternoon.
 
Sciba will help to lead Team USA at both the 2019 Under-18 Series vs. Canada from Aug. 15-18 in Lake Placid, New York, as well as at the 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women's World Championship, set to take place in January 2020 in a location to be determined. The coaches will also be a part of the 2019 USA Hockey Women's National Festival, which will take place Aug. 5-14 in Lake Placid, New York, ahead of the 2019 Under-18 and Under-22 Series vs. Canada.
 
"I'm very grateful to have another opportunity with the USA U-18 team this year," Sciba said. "Our journey to a silver medal in Japan was a memorable experience for everyone involved. I learned so much throughout the process and the national team environment is something that you yearn for as a coach. I can't wait to work with our players and our staff to achieve our goal of a gold medal."
 
Earlier this year with Sciba on the bench, Team USA earned a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships in Obihiro, Japan.
 
In addition to his time with the U-18 national team, Sciba has coached at the USA Hockey U-18 Girls Player Development Camps for the last 10 years and served as a coach during the 2018 and 017 USA Hockey Women's National Festivals in Lake Placid.
 
Sciba finished his third season at the helm of the Dutchwomen in 2018-19, continuing the process of rebuilding the program from the ground up. Union is slated to return 95 percent of its offense from last season's young squad, which featured four freshmen and seven sophomores earning consistent ice time.