As the fall sports season comes to a close, it’s a time of celebration for the Stockton University field hockey team. Five talented players and their dedicated coaching staff have received well-deserved accolades from the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), marking a season of impressive achievements and records for the Ospreys.

Junior standout Allie Palumbo, sophomore Kirsten Bailey, and Carlee Thompson have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to the team’s success, receiving NJAC First Team honors. In addition, freshmen Kaelin Drey and goalkeeper Hannah Ayari-Dias earned NJAC Honorable Mention nods, adding to the team’s list of achievements.

Palumbo, who hails from Mantua, New Jersey, has had an outstanding season, achieving her third consecutive NJAC First Team accolade. She has showcased her prowess on the field by standing tied for the NJAC lead in assists, points, and game-winning goals. Palumbo’s 11 assists, 37 points, and 13 goals make her one of the most formidable players in the conference, and her four game-winning goals have been crucial to the team’s success.

What is even more remarkable is that Palumbo has now joined an elite group of Stockton players who have achieved NJAC First Team status three times, tying a school record in the process. Her 11 assists are a testament to her playmaking ability and her 37 points rank as the third-highest season total in Stockton’s history. With 29 career goals and 71 career points, Palumbo has solidified her status as one of the program’s all-time greats.

Sophomore Kirsten Bailey has been a revelation this season, leading the team with 14 goals and ranking third in the NJAC. Bailey’s ability to come through in clutch moments is evident in her four game-winning goals, a statistic that places her at the top of the conference. Starting all 20 games and scoring in 10 of them, Bailey has been a consistent offensive force for the Ospreys.

Carlee Thompson, a key addition in her first season at Stockton as a transfer, has been another vital cog in the team’s success. The sophomore ranks third in the NJAC for assists (10), tied for fourth in game-winning goals (3), and tied for eighth in points (20). Thompson’s impact was particularly noticeable in the 4-2 victory over The College of New Jersey and the 9-2 win over Oneonta, where she showcased her scoring ability and playmaking skills.

Freshmen Kaelin Drey and goalkeeper Hannah Ayari-Dias made an immediate impact during their rookie season. Drey has been a stalwart at center back, starting all 20 games and emerging as Stockton’s most reliable defensive player. Her contribution is underscored by her one defensive save and the team’s impressive five shutouts and 1.60 goals against average, both ranking second in the NJAC.

Ayari-Dias, the team’s rookie goalkeeper, has also been a standout performer. Playing in 17 games with 16 starts, she has achieved 11 wins and ranks second in the NJAC for goals against average (1.49) and shutouts (4). Her 80 saves and a save percentage of .769 also place her among the top three in the conference. A remarkable highlight of her season was a career-high 15 saves in a crucial NJAC Tournament match against Rowan.

The Ospreys’ success wouldn’t be possible without the guidance of their coaching staff. Head coach Sarah Elleman, along with assistants Elizabeth Law and Candice Steinhauer, has been instrumental in leading the team to new heights. The coaching staff’s collective effort has earned them the prestigious NJAC Coaching Staff of the Year award.

Under Elleman’s leadership, Stockton tied the school’s win record with 15 victories, achieved its highest regional ranking ever, and secured a historic win over The College of New Jersey for the first time since 2003. Elleman’s coaching prowess was further acknowledged with her first NJAC coaching award. She previously received the Empire 8 Coach of the Year award twice while at Utica College, and her 150th career win marked another milestone in her successful coaching career.

The future of the team looks bright. Their dedication and hard work continue to inspire fans and fellow athletes alike. With talented players like Palumbo, Bailey, Thompson, Drey, and Ayari-Dias, and the leadership of Coach Elleman and her staff, the sky’s the limit for Stockton field hockey.