The regular season champion Stags are the top seed in this weekend’s conference tournament.
Following a 7-0 run through the Northeast Conference regular season as part of a 14-3 overall record, Fairfield University Field Hockey was recognized this past Wednesday with an unprecedented haul of five NEC major awards. The regular season champion Stags also saw a conference-best seven student-athletes named as All-NEC performers.
Lucie Vincent ’27 became the first player in league history named both the NEC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Vincent leads with 13 goals, 30 total points, and five game-winning goals. She posted points in 10 of her 17 appearances and finished the regular season with 15 points over the final four games (seven goals, one assist). Nationally, Vincent is tied for 17th in the nation with 0.76 goals per game and is ranked 21st nationally with 1.76 points per game.
On the other side of the field, Madison Milhous ’25 grabbed NEC Defensive Player of the Year laurels. Milhous anchors a Fairfield defensive unit that leads the NEC and slots fourth in the nation with a 0.99 goals-against average.
The inaugural NEC Midfielder of the Year, Agustina Casteluchi ’25 claimed the new award after racking up three goals and three assists on the season. The two-way middie was also a vital member of the Stags’ top-ranked defense.
Rounding out the major honorees is Payton Rahn ’25, the NEC Goalkeeper of the Year. Rahn recorded five shutouts during the 2023 campaign, including back-to-back game against NEC foes LIU and Merrimack. She ranks fifth in the nation with a 1.00 goals-against average and seventh in save percentage at .792, both tops in the conference.
The above quartet was joined on the All-NEC First Team by Alex Senior ’26. Catalina Ness ’27 and graduate student Frances Mirabile rounded out the list of honorees as All-NEC Second Team selections.
Led by Head Coach Jackie Kane '87, the top-ranked Stags begin the postseason this weekend in the NEC Championship Semifinals. Fairfield challenges the host and fourth-seeded Wagner Seahawks on Friday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. The 2023 NEC Championship Game is set for Sunday, Nov. 5 at noon.
