PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Three Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey players-Grace Bazin of Keene State, Emma Sanson of Eastern Connecticut, and Jess Smithson of Vermont State Castleton-earned recognition from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) on Wednesday, being selected to the 2025 All-Region Team. The honors cap outstanding seasons for the student-athletes and highlight the LEC’s competitive presence in Division III field hockey.
The NFHCA All-Region selections recognize the top players across various regions of the country, with honorees then eligible for national accolades. Bazin and Sanson were also distinguished as 2025 All-LEC selections, with Bazin further claiming the LEC Offensive Player of the Year award. These awards underscore a season of extraordinary performance within the conference and nationally.
Grace Bazin,a senior forward from Keene State,dominated the NCAA landscape,leading the nation in both goals (37) and total points (83) across 22 games played. She also recorded nine assists and was named the 2025 NFHCA First Team All-region and First Team All-LEC.
Eastern Connecticut’s Emma Sanson,a senior forward,also earned All-Region honors,being named to the 2025 NFHCA Second Team All-Region. Sanson tallied 15 goals and five assists for 35 points in 21 games, securing a 2025 First team All-LEC selection.
Rounding out the LEC portrayal was Vermont State Castleton’s Jess Smithson, a senior defender. Smithson was recognized with a 2025 NFHCA State team All-Region nod and a 2025 First Team All-LEC selection, after recording 11 defensive saves – ranking sixth in NCAA Division III – along with five goals and two assists for 12 points in 19 games played.
