LATHAM, N.Y. – The United East Conference announced its 2026 Field Hockey Major Award Winners and All-Conference Teams on Tuesday, November 10. The conference recognized four major award recipients along with 25 student-athletes earning First or Second Team All-Conference honors following their performances during the 2026 season.

Immaculata University's Alexis Andrada was named Player of the Year, while Penn State Harrisburg's Sara Yeselavage earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Fellow Lion Alysa McCarthy was selected as Rookie of the Year, and Lancaster Bible College's coaching staff, led by head coach Kevin Hertzog, was recognized as the Coaching Staff of the Year.

The All-Conference teams feature 13 First Team selections and 12 Second Team honorees. An additional offensive player was named to the First Team following an unbreakable four-way tie in the voting.

Player of the Year – Alexis Andrada, Immaculata University

Junior forward Alexis Andrada of Immaculata University was named the 2026 United East Field Hockey Player of the Year following an impressive offensive campaign for the Mighty Macs. Andrada started all 16 games for Immaculata, leading the team with 15 goals and 32 points while adding two assists. She recorded 65 shots, including 46 on goal, posting a .708 shots-on-goal percentage. Andrada was particularly effective against United East opponents, scoring eight goals in conference play, including a hat trick against Gwynedd Mercy University. She also tallied three game-winning goals on the season and converted one penalty stroke. Her outstanding offensive production earned her United East First Team All-Conference honors.

Defensive Player of the Year – Sara Yeselavage, Penn State Harrisburg

Junior defender Sara Yeselavage of Penn State Harrisburg was named the 2026 United East Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Year after anchoring one of the conference's most dominant defensive units. Yeselavage started all 17 games for the Lions, recording one defensive save while helping Penn State Harrisburg capture its first-ever United East Field Hockey Championship. During conference play, the Lions posted a perfect 6-0 record, surrendering just one goal across six contests while recording five shutouts. Yeselavage also contributed offensively, scoring a goal in Harrisburg's 3-0 victory over Immaculata University. Her efforts earned her First Team All-Conference honors.

Rookie of the Year – Alysa McCarthy, Penn State Harrisburg

Freshman forward Alysa McCarthy of Penn State Harrisburg was named the 2026 United East Field Hockey Rookie of the Year following a standout debut season for the Lions. McCarthy started all 17 games, leading Penn State Harrisburg with 12 goals and 28 points while adding four assists. She was particularly dominant during conference play, recording nine goals and two assists for 20 points in six contests. Her impressive freshman campaign was highlighted by a five-goal performance in a 9-0 victory over Gwynedd Mercy University on October 21. McCarthy also played a key role in the Lions' historic postseason run, scoring a goal in Penn State Harrisburg's 2-1 championship victory over St. Mary's College of Maryland to help secure the program's first-ever United East title. Her efforts also earned her First Team All-Conference honors.

Coaching Staff of the Year – Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster Bible College's field hockey coaching staff, led by second-year head coach Kevin Hertzog, was named the 2026 United East Coaching Staff of the Year following a historic season for the Chargers. Under Hertzog's leadership, Lancaster Bible finished with a 6-10 overall record and a 3-3 mark in conference play, securing the No. 3 seed in the United East Championship. The Chargers set a program record for victories in a season since the program's reinstatement in 2018 and earned their first-ever postseason victory with a 2-0 shutout of Cedar Crest College in the United East Championship First Round. Lancaster Bible advanced to the conference semifinals for the second consecutive season while also establishing a program record with 30 goals scored. Hertzog was assisted by Jennie Cable and Katelyn Olson as the coaching staff guided the Chargers through one of the most successful seasons in program history.
 

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2026 United East Field Hockey First Team All-Conference

Name	Institution	Position
Riley Danko	Lancaster Bible College	Offense
Alexis Andrada	Immaculata University	Offense
Alysa McCarthy	Penn State Harrisburg	Offense
Kate Seymour	Wilson College	Offense
Astrid Comp	Penn State Harrisburg	Offense
Morgan Barnes	Immaculata University	Offense
Gracie Hoffman	Lancaster Bible College	Offense
Olivia Schwendeman	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Offense
Sara Yeselavage	Penn State Harrisburg	Defense
Julie Presgraves	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Defense
Safi Stimely	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Defense
Madison Hamrick	Wilson College	Defense
Macenzie Mulholland	Penn State Harrisburg	Goalkeeper

2026 United East Field Hockey Second Team All-Conference

Name	Institution	Position
Josie Mascolo	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Offense
Emma Mastrangelo	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Offense
Courtney Gibbons	Cedar Crest College	Offense
Ginnah Kendall	Wilson College	Offense
Bailey Rucker	Penn State Harrisburg	Offense
Sadie Cook	Penn State Harrisburg	Offense
Morgan Knott	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Offense
Lillie Uttenreither	Gwynedd Mercy University	Defense
Reagan Ferst	Cedar Crest College	Defense
Ayla Zwally	Lancaster Bible College	Defense
Maria Freeman	Immaculata University	Defense
Sophia Kent	St. Mary's College of Maryland	Goalkeeper

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