Players of the Week
Player of the Week
Jimena Loustalot (D'Youville)
So., M, Tandil, Argentina, San Jose/Lincoln Memorial University
Jimena Loustalot had a stellar performance throughout the week as she scored two out of the three goals for D’Youville, the latter being the credited game-winning Saints goal to secure a 3-2 win over John Carroll. Loustalot also put quite a bit of pressure on their second opponents of the week in Franklin Pierce. She was credited with almost half of the Saints shot attempts including one that was put on goal but saved.
Defensive Player of the Week/Rookie of the Week
Rowynn Pickering (D'Youville)
Fr., F, Lee, N.H., Oyster River
Rowynn Pickering was a difference maker for the Saints in the 3-2 win over John Carroll last Wednesday. The freshman recorded two shots on goal while also recording a key defensive save in the fourth quarter to keep the Saints ahead by one goal for the win.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Hallie Villavechia (D'Youville)
Sr., GK, Houston, Texas, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart/University of St. Thomas
Hallie Villavechia helped D’Youville secure a 3-2 victory over John Carroll University on Sept. 23. Villavechia played all 60 minutes in goal and made three saves on five shots on goal, including two saves in the opening quarter and another in the fourth. She made an early save just 54 seconds into the game and later stopped another John Carroll attempt at the 8:19 mark, helping the Saints remain within reach during a back-and-forth opening half. Villavechia also came up with a late save at 58:20 as D’Youville protected its one-goal lead in the closing minutes. Her performance helped the Saints hold on for the 3-2 win.
Weekly Honor Roll
Alleigh Caruso (Roberts Wesleyan)
Fr., D, Reedsville, PA, Mifflin County
Freshman Alleigh Caruso played a solid game on defense for Roberts as the Redhawks battled a third consecutive nationally-ranked opponent in Slippery Rock (#8).
Avery Richardson (Roberts Wesleyan)
Sr., GK, Syracuse, NY, Cicero-North Syracuse
Senior Avery Richardson recorded her second double-digit saves effort with 13 stops against nationally-ranked Slippery Rock in the only game of the week last week for Roberts. She currently ranks first in the conference in goals against average (3.76) and is fourth in both saves and shutouts.
2026 ECC Field Hockey Weekly Award Winners
Player of the Week
Sep. 8 – Makena Tooley (Roberts Wesleyan)
Sep. 15 – Charlotte Sabert (Mercy)
Sep. 22 – Kate Lynne Conklin (Mercy)
Sep. 29 – Jimena Loustalot (D'Youville)
Defensive Player of the Week
Sep. 8 – Mary Catherine Maloney (Roberts Wesleyan)
Sep. 15 – Catherine Sasso (Molloy)
Sep. 22 – Gwendolyn Smith (Mercy)
Sep. 29 – Rowynn Pickering (D'Youville)
Goalkeeper of the Week
Sep. 8 – Sarah Reifsnyder (D'Youville)
Sep. 15 – Avery Richardson (Roberts Wesleyan)
Sep. 22 – Kaylise McClure (Mercy)
Sep. 29 – Hallie Villavechia (D'Youville)
Rookie of the Week
Sep. 8 – Rowynn Pickering (D'Youville)
Sep. 15 – Addison Shantal (Roberts Wesleyan)
Sep. 22 – Addison Testa (Mercy)
Sep. 29 – Rowynn Pickering (D'Youville) (2x)
2026 ECC Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. Mercy - 33 points (3 first-place votes)
2. Roberts Wesleyan - 29 points (3 first-place votes)
3. D'Youville - 20 points
4. St. Thomas Aquinas - 18 points
5. Molloy - 15 points
6. Dominican NY - 11 points
***
Founded as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1989 and rechristened the East Coast Conference in July 2006, the ECC was formed to enhance intercollegiate athletic competition among member institutions and to assist them in integrating athletics into their academic program in a fiscally sound way. The ECC is committed to the highest standards of scholarship, sportsmanship, teamwork, and citizenship. Its mission is to promote the total person concept in its student-athletes, which stresses the abilities to excel in academic achievement, athletic competition, and positive character traits. East Coast Conference members include: Daemen University (Amherst, N.Y.); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.); D'Youville University (Buffalo, N.Y.); Mercy University (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.); Molloy University (Rockville Centre, N.Y.); Queens College (Flushing, N.Y.); Roberts Wesleyan University (Rochester, N.Y.); College of Staten Island (Staten Island, N.Y.); and St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, N.Y.). The ECC also is home to 13 associate members in the sports of women’s bowling (3), men’s and women’s indoor track & field (3), men's volleyball (2), field hockey (1), and men’s lacrosse (1).
The ECC sponsors the following championship sports: baseball; men’s and women’s basketball; women's bowling; men’s and women’s cross country; field hockey; men’s and women’s lacrosse; men’s and women’s indoor track and field; men’s and women’s outdoor track and field; men’s and women’s soccer; softball; and men's and women’s volleyball.
The East Coast Conference is a proud member of the NCAA and Division II. Division II is a dynamic and engaging group of colleges, institutions and conferences of varying sizes and educational missions. Division II members encourage and support diversity; value sportsmanship, fairness and equity; and place the highest priority on the overall educational excellence of the student-athlete.