CAA Field Hockey Places Nine on 2026 NFHCA Division I Watchlist
RICHMOND, Va. (August 27, 2026) -- Nine CAA field hockey student-athletes were named to the 2026 Division I Watchlist, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) on Thursday morning.
Three CAA programs were represented on the 212-player watchlist, which features student-athletes from 64 Division I institutions. Towson led the conference with four selections, followed by Drexel with three and Fairfield with two.
Drexel's three selections are highlighted by senior forward/midfielder Valentine Van Hellemont, who started all 21 games in 2025 and ranked among the Dragons' top offensive threats with eight goals and 28 points. Senior midfielder Pili Lemoine joins Van Hellemont on the watchlist after posting 28 points and 12 assists last season. Sophomore midfielder Fleur Hamers rounds out Drexel's selections after contributing four goals and five assists for 13 points.
Fairfield earned two selections, with senior defender Noor Hellemans and senior midfielder Catalina Ness representing the Stags. Hellemans appeared in all 21 games and finished the 2025 season with two goals and seven assists for 11 points. Ness totaled one goal and six assists for eight points.
Towson's four selections include senior defender Lydia Bennett, junior forward/midfielder Olivia Miller, junior midfielder Anouk Westerink and freshman Ann Njoroge. Bennett contributed two goals and four assists, while Miller appeared in all 18 contests and added two assists. Westerink led the group with four goals, 30 shots and nine points, while first-year defender Njoroge rounds out Towson's four selections.
Student-athletes were nominated by NFHCA member coaches and were required to have earned qualifying field hockey recognition within the previous two years to be considered for the 2026 Division I Watchlist.
2026 NFHCA Division I Watchlist
| Name |
School |
Cl. |
Pos. |
Hometown |
| Fleur Hamers |
Drexel |
So. |
M |
Enschede, Netherlands |
| Pili Lemoine |
Drexel |
Sr. |
F |
Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Valentine Van Hellemont |
Drexel |
Sr. |
F/M |
Lier, Belgium |
| Noor Hellemans |
Fairfield |
Sr. |
D |
Heemstede, Netherlands |
| Catalina Ness |
Fairfield |
Sr. |
M |
Hamburg, Germany |
| Lydia Bennett |
Towson |
Sr. |
D |
Maryland Line, Md. |
| Olivia Miller |
Towson |
Jr. |
F/M |
State College, Pa. |
| Ann Njoroge |
Towson |
Fr. |
D |
Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Anouk Westerink |
Towson |
Jr. |
M |
Ede, Netherland |