BOSTON — The 2025 America East Field Hockey All-Conference and major award winners were announced Monday afternoon. Vermont captured four major awards and led the league in All-Conference selections.The Catamounts topped all programs with three selections for both First Team and Second Team All-Conference lists.
Vermont's Sophia Lefranc was named Midfielder of the Year, while teammate Merle Vaandrager earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Veerle Nijhuis was recognized as the Rookie of the Year, and the Vermont coaching staff was named Coaching Staff of the Year.
Midfielder of the Year
Sophia Lefranc, Sr., Vermont
Senior Sophia Lefranc is the first Catamount ever to be named Midfielder of the Year. Lefranc leads all Catamounts with 22 points and ranks sixth in the conference in assists with eight.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Merle Vaandrager, So., Vermont
Sophomore Merle Vaandrager is the second Catamount to be named Goalkeeper of the Year. She leads the league in shutouts with three and ranks second in goals-against average with a 1.60.
Rookie of the Year
Veerle Nijhuis, Fr., Vermont
First-year Veerle Nijhuis has seven goals and two assists this season while starting every game for the Catamounts. She is the second Catamount to be named Rookie of the Year, and the first since 2000.
Coaching Staff of the Year
Vermont
Head coach Kate Pfeifer and assistant coaches Marlee McClendon and Haley Buffenbarger guided Vermont to the program's first regular-season title with a 4-1 record in league play. The Catamounts finished 10-6 overall and ranked second in scoring defense, allowing only three teams to score three or more goals this season.
Along with Lefranc and Vaandrager earning First Team All-Conference honors, junior Alicia Battistelli was also named to the First Team. Junior Consu de Castro, Nijhuis, and junior Maddy Weaver earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
For the All-Rookie Team, Vermont was represented by Nijhuis, first-year Gabby Santini, and first-year Fiona McMahon.
Vermont will host its first America East Tournament match on Tuesday, Nov. 4, in a semifinal matchup against Maine. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Moulton Winder Field.
