Drexel Crowned CAA Field Hockey Champions For First Time Since 2012 11/9/2025 3:00:00 PM Ben Kane CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | BRACKET | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.. (Nov. 9, 2025) – For the first time since 2012, Drexel is the CAA Field Hockey Champion after defeating No. 1 Monmouth 3-2 in a Sunday afternoon battle from So Sweet A Cat Field. The tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Drexel’s Valentine Van Hellemont, led the way for the Dragons with four points, including an assist on the game winner. The CAA Player of the Year’s point tally in Sunday’s contest was one short of her season high. Ryan Hickey’s eventual game winner was her second tally of the season and first since Oct. 17. Natali Foster also netted her second goal in the tournament for Drexel, the most of any player in the championship’s field. Scoreless through the first quarter, Drexel jumped out to an early lead off the penalty corner. Inserted by Van Hellemont, Foster’s 19th-minute shot was deflected into the back of the cage. The CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year’s strike was her second penalty-corner goal of the championship. Down one heading into the second half, Monmouth came out with emphasis. Milla Frye found herself open in the circle, redirecting a bouncing ball into the goal just a minute and a half after the break to make it 1-1. Drexel quickly restored its advantage, scoring its second goal from the penalty corner five minutes into the third. After inserting the ball, Van Hellemont ran unmarked to the near post before receiving the ball back and tipping it in to pull ahead 2-1. Hickey doubled the Dragons’ advantage three minutes later, after a deep pass from Van Hellemont sent her through on goal. Despite a late 53rd-minute tally from Monmouth’s Emily Singer, Drexel was able to hold onto its advantage for the remainder of the fourth and give Head Coach Denise Zelenak her second CAA title. Drexel earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will learn its fate on Sunday night’s Selection Show. Follow the CAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about the CAA’s member institutions and their teams. All-Tournament Selections: Valentine Van Hellemont – Drexel (Most Outstanding Player) Anna Castaldo - Drexel Natali Foster - Drexel Marti Sanabria - Drexel Eulalie Brouwers - Monmouth Claire Campen – Monmouth Florence van Doorn – Monmouth Anna-Kate Domingue -Northeastern Maya Prasad– Northeastern Luci Hollister – Hofstra Kelly Levengood – Hofstra Follow the CAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about the CAA’s member institutions and their teams.