Hughes came to BC having won 72 games in 11 seasons as a head coach at the Division II and III levels. She joined Bridgewater from her alma mater Allegheny College, where she became the program's all-time winningest coach with a mark of 61-52.

She led the Gators to four North Coast Athletic Conference playoff appearances- in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The 2015 squad recorded the best single season record in program history with a final mark of 15-2.

Hughes coached 12 IWLCA All-Region selections and 29 All-NCAC honorees, including three individuals who finished their careers as Allegheny's top record holders.

She was also the head coach at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, a member of the NCAA Division II Northeast-10 Conference, from 2011-13. She led the 2013 Purple Knights to the program's highest win total since 2008.

Prior to taking the helm at Saint Michael's, Hughes served as an assistant lacrosse and soccer coach for Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont during the 2009-10 academic year. She began her coaching career during the 2009 season as an assistant at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y.

Hughes played both lacrosse and soccer at Allegheny, graduating as the lacrosse program's all-time leader in goals (125), assists (54), and points (179). A member of the NCAC All-Decade Team, she was a two-time second team All-Region selection, four-time All-NCAC honoree including three first team selections, and made two NCAC All-Tournament squads.

A two-time lacrosse team captain, she was also an honorable mention All-NCAC soccer player. She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Allegheny in 2008 and a master's of education in school leadership from Saint Michael's in 2018.

Hughes has also served on the NCAA Regional Ranking Committee and IWLCA All-Region Player Committee, along with numerous campus groups.