BOSTON – Top seed UAlbany claimed three major awards and six different programs had at least one First-Team All-Conference selection as the 2024 America East Field Hockey All-Conference awards were released on Wednesday afternoon.
All seven programs had at lead one first or second team selection, led by the Great Danes three on the first team and three more on the second team. Senior Alison Smisdom was honored as the Midfielder of the Year for a third straight season while classmate Lara Behn was recognized as the Goalkeeper of the Year. UAlbany also took home Coaching Staff on the Year honors.
New Hampshire secured its best seeding in a decade and was led by two-time Offensive Player of the Year Tasmin Cookman. Freshman Faye Meijer was named Rookie of the Year and was one of three second-team All-Conference selections for the Wildcats.
Vermont’s Sophia Drees earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. She is the first Catamount to win the award.
The major awards, All-Conference and All-Rookie teams were determined in a vote by the league's head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players. The All-Academic team was voted on by a committee of administrators from the conference’s member institutions.
COMPLETE LIST OF ALL-CONFERENCE & ALL-ACADEMIC AWARDS
2024 #AEFH Major Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Year
Tasmin Cookman, Jr., New Hampshire
- In conference play led the league in points (13) and goals (6).
- Ranked fourth in the league in total goals (13).
- Fourth player to win Offensive Player of the Year at least twice.
Midfielder of the Year
Alison Smisdom, Sr., UAlbany
- Led the league in total points (46) and goals (20)
- Helped Great Danes finish regular season unbeaten for first time since 2014.
- Just the second three-time Midfielder of the Year in league history, and a unanimous selection in 2024.
Defensive Player of the Year
Sophia Drees, Sr., Vermont
- Tallied seven goals and six assists for 20 points.
- Led the team to six shutout victories during the regular season.
- First Catamount to be named Defensive Player of the Year and just the fourth major award winner in program history.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Lara Behn, Sr. UAlbany
- Ranked 2nd in the league in overall GAA (1.348) and tied for first in shutouts (4).
- In conference play, allowed just five goals in six starts with a .706 save percentage.
- First Great Dane since 2018 to earn Goalkeeper of the Year honors.
Rookie of the Year
Faye Meijer, New Hampshire
- Led all rookies in assists (10) and ranked second in the league overall.
- Finished with six goals, 22 total points and helped UNH earn its highest seed since 2014.
- Third Wildcat in the last six years to be named Rookie of the Year.
Coaching Staff of the Year
UAlbany
- Led the Great Danes to its first unbeaten conference mark since 2014 (6-0) and a 15-3 record overall, highlighted by a pair of wins over top-15 opponents.
- Allowed a league-low five goals in six conference games while ranking second in scoring offense with 15 goals.
- Head Coach Phil Sykes is assisted by Andy Thornton and Dana Bozek.
UAlbany led all schools with three first-team all-conference selections while UMass Lowell and New Hampshire each had a pair. Nine of the 11 honorees were previously a first-team all-conference selection.
Both the Great Danes and Wildcats had three second-team honorees, while Vermont had two.
Three Catamounts highlighted the All-Rookie team, along with two from UAlbany and UNH.
The All-Academic team featured ten student-athletes, including eight who are repeat selections to the All-Academic team.
Follow @AmericaEast on X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEFH hashtags to join the conversation.
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -