Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 491-2900
Since ascending to the role of head coach of the Northwestern University fencing program ahead of the 2016-17 season, Zach Moss has continued to elevate the Wildcats on both the regional and national scale. Moss, who joined the 'Cats as an assistant coach in August of 2014 under Wildcat Hall of Famer Laurie Schiller, begins his 10th season leading Northwestern in 2025-26.
During his time as head coach, Moss has piled up 306 career victories and mentored 18 United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) All-Americans. Named the USFCA Women's Team Coach of the Year in 2021, Moss, a five-time Central Collegiate Fencing Conference (CCFC) Women's Team Coach of the Year honoree, has piloted the Wildcats to six top-10 finishes amongst women's programs at the NCAA Fencing Championships.
Moss led the 'Cats to a 31-8 overall finish in dual competition during the 2024-25 season. Northwestern climbed as high as No. 3 in the USFCA Coaches' Poll ahead of a runner-up finish in the team race at the CCFC Championships. The Wildcats' epee and sabre squads secured conference titles, while nine 'Cats claimed All-CCFC honors. Moss' squad's success carried over to the national stage, as Northwestern matched its second-best finish at the NCAA Championships in program history, placing fifth overall in the women's field. Amanda Pirkowski placed seventh overall in the epee en route to being named a USFCA Second Team All-American, while the first-year duo of Daphne Chan Nok Sze (Foil) and Natalie Shearer burst on the national scene as Honorable Mention All-Americans.
The 2023-24 campaign turned into a dream season for Moss and the Wildcats. After finishing the regular season on a scorching 20-1 tear to close the year with a 36-12 overall ledger, Moss' team stormed through the CCFC Championships, finishing a perfect 6-0 in the team portion to claim the program's first outright CCFC team title. Karen Wang (epee) and Adele Bois (sabre) won individual conference championships in their respective events, as nine 'Cats ultimately were recognized with All-CCFC distinction. Four Wildcats went on to represent Northwestern at the NCAA Fencing Championships, with Wang and Megumi Oishi (sabre) each qualifying for the national meet for a second consecutive season.
Northwestern posted an impressive 43-13 record in dual action in 2022-23, Moss' seventh season at the helm in Evanston. For the second time in as many seasons, the Wildcats knocked off No. 1 Notre Dame, cruising to a 19-8 win over the Fighting Irish at the Northwestern Duals. Northwestern went on to place second overall at the CCFC Championships, with eight student-athletes bringing home All-CCFC accolades. Four Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Fencing Championships, where first-years Megumi Oishi (sabre) and Karen Wang (epee) earned USFCA Honorable Mention All-America honors.
The 2021-22 campaign saw Moss lead Northwestern to a 31-13 overall finish, a ledger that was highlighted by a 17-10 upset over No. 1 Notre Dame at the DeCicco Duals. Northwestern placed second in the team race at the CCFC Championships, with the Wildcat epeeists winning the team conference crown in the weapon. Nine 'Cats collected All-CCFC honors, a group led by USFCA All-American Sky Miller (sabre), who led a group of three Wildcats to qualify for the NCAA Fencing Championships, where Northwestern finished 10th overall in the women's team standings.
In 2021, Moss was recognized by his coaching peers as the national Women’s Team Coach of the Year as voted on by the US Fencing Coaches Association. He guided the Wildcats as they qualified six fencers to the NCAA Championships for the second time in program history and achieved a program-best third place finish as a women’s team and in tenth place as a combined team. Three Wildcats were named to the USFCA All-American Team and had three top-eight finishes, highlighted by a program-best second place individual finish in women’s saber by Sky Miller.
The fencing team’s national success was propelled by its conference performance as Moss continued to lead the charge in keeping the conference going and helping to facilitate fencing as a whole during the abbreviated 2020-21 season that was drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named 2021 Women’s Team Coach of the Year by the head coaches of the CCFC after leading the Wildcats to a 17-9 season record, including a 7-1 conference record and CCFC Regular Season Co-Championship. The Wildcats also won the Women's Foil Squad Championship, were Co-Champions in Women's Saber, and Runner's Up in Women's Epee.
The 2018-19 campaign served as another major milestone for the Wildcats, not only becoming a formidable program in the Midwest Fencing Conference but as a national competitor as well. The ‘Cats posted an impressive 39-5 record, culminating with a 6th place finish at the NCAA Championships and winning a second consecutive MFC title. The conference victory helped propel the ‘Cats to No. 2 nationally, the highest ranking in program history. At the 2019 MFC Championships, the Wildcats dominated the competition, taking home the weapon group titles in all three events for the first time in program history. Among those 39 victories, 11 were earned against teams ranked in the top 10 nationally. While competing at the highest level in Cleveland, three of five Wildcats earned a top 20 finish within their respective categories.
Moss was named the Midwest Fencing Conference Coach of the Year following a historic 2017-18 season. Northwestern captured its fifth-ever Midwest Fencing Conference championship and finished with three All-Americans at the NCAA Championships. In addition, the team set the program record for most wins in a season with 47 and the program record for longest win streak, which encapsulated 25 matches. At the MFC Championships, the foil and sabre squads each claimed its fifth weapon title.
Six different individual fencers finished as semifinalists or better at the MFC individual competitions. Moss also had 12 fencers compete at the Midwest Regionals, with Yücel taking home the fifth-ever individual Midwest Regional title in program history and first in sabre since 2001. Four 'Cats qualified for the NCAA Championships and Sarah Filby, Yvonne Chart and Pauline Hamilton earned All-American honorable mention there.
In his first season at the helm of the program, the Wildcats finished with a 33-14 record. Moss saw first-year Pauline Hamilton and senior Stephanie Chan qualify for the NCAA Championships, with Hamilton finishing 15th in epee. Northwestern finished second at the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships and the epee squad won its second straight weapon group title. The 'Cats spent the majority of the 2016-17 season ranked No. 8 in the country.
Moss arrived in Evanston with an extensive background as both a competitive fencer and as a coach. The Lee, N.H., native matriculated to Duke University in 2004, where he would go on to become a four-year letterwinner for the Blue Devils. Moss, who fenced epée at the collegiate level, was a regular starter and an NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Championship qualifier. He also served as team captain during his senior season (2007-08) and was a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member.
Upon graduating from Duke, Moss headed to the state of Minnesota where he has remained active in the fencing community since 2008. He joined the Twin Cities Fencing Club where he studied and trained under United States Olympic coach Ro Sobalvarro. He also assisted in coaching and mentoring fencers of all levels at the club.
In 2010, Moss became the head fencing coach at Saint Paul Academy and Summit School. In four years, Moss helped guide the program to a pair of team state championships and two individual state titles. In addition, Moss increased participation at the school by nearly 150 percent.
Moss also has strong experience at the administrative level. Since 2011, he has served as the Director of Competitions for the Minnesota High School Fencing Coaches Association. In that role he aided in the planning and operation of the Minnesota State High School Fencing Championship and increased the number of participating teams by approximately 25 percent. He is also a certified personal trainer and a United States Fencing Association and NCAA referee who has experience officiating at various levels since 2000.
Moss graduated from Duke in 2008 with bachelor of arts degrees in English and theater studies. He also earned a certificate in film/video/digital production and was a Dean's List student. Moss also holds a Master's degree in Sport Management from Concordia University.
