COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The National Field Hockey Coache's Association (NFHCA) has announced their recipients to two of their most prestigious academic awards, the National Academic Squad and Division III Scholars of Distinction. Twenty members of the Susquehanna University field hockey squad were named to the National Academic Squad, while eight received recognition to the Scholars of Distinction.
The NFHCA recognizes more than 1,800 outstanding undergraduate student-athletes from 147 different institutions in the Division III National Academic Squad. This award honors student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher throughout the fall semester, nominated by their NFHCA member coaches. The NFHCA's Division III Scholars of Distiction honors and recognizes undergraduate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher through the fall semester, nominated by their NFHCA member coaches. The River Hawks represented eight of the 1,028 student-athletes recognized across all three divisions.
"We pursue excellence in the classroom and on the field, therefore this recognition is such an important part of our teams success!", stated head coach
Allison Fordyce, "I am so proud of the work our players put it on the field and in the classroom! They truly embody what it means to be student athletes."
The eight student-athletes who were recognized to both academic honors included
Tessa Cronin,
Ella DeFazio,
Hannah Garlin,
Kiara Koeller,
Madison Lilley,
Gracie Roush,
Kylie Schmidt, and
Ella Shimp. The remaining 12 who were honored to the National Academic Squad featured
Samara Campenni,
Riley Corbett,
Kiana Coulter,
Haley Dreisbach,
Lily Fay,
Charlize Garrett,
Lexi Kresge,
Lauren Leibensperger,
Elie Lopez,
Mackenzie Lopez,
Mady Quigley,
Taylor Rothermel.
Susquehanna's recognition to these outstanding awards mirrors their achievements on the field. In 2025 the River Hawks reached the Landmark Conference championship game for the third straight year, capturing a 13-8 overall record and 8-1 Landmark record. National Academic Squad recipient Quigley received NFHCA All-Region honors, while Garlin and Rothermel captured All-Landmark.
