Women’s Field Hockey

A deflection can change a game. So can a penalty corner, a turnover in midfield or a perfectly timed entry into the circle. Across 164 Division III field hockey programs, those moments demand preparation, communication and trust.

Tufts University found that formula last season. The Jumbos finished 19-3 and claimed their second NCAA D3 championship when Hannah Biccard scored in overtime off a redirect to beat Johns Hopkins, 2-1. It marked the second national title for head coach Tina Mattera and another season in which Tufts paired its competitive standards with the academic demands in the NESCAC.

The Blue Jays delivered another fine season, entering the championship game at 22-1 after winning their seventh consecutive Centennial Conference title and advancing to their fourth NCAA final. Jane Wells has guided the program through a sustained run of national recognition, with 17 of its 30 NFHCA All-Americans from the past eight seasons coming during her tenure.

Then there’s the work that happens away from the scoreboard. The 2025 NFHCA Division III Scholars of Distinction included 543 student-athletes, who posted cumulative GPAs of 3.90 or higher, while 78 programs received the NFHCA National Academic Team Award. Biccard and Johns Hopkins’ Megan Chang also earned first-team Academic All-America honors, with Chang recording a perfect 4.00 GPA.

Among them, Salisbury’s Marli McDorman showed what that commitment can lead to on the field. She finished last season with 18 goals and 14 assists, earned NFHCA First-Team All-America honors, and helped the Sea Gulls win the SUNYAC championship before reaching the NCAA quarterfinals.

There’s no single way to define success in D3 field hockey. It can mean a championship, a classroom achievement, a breakthrough season, or the confidence to take the next opportunity. How will you help shape your team’s legacy?