An All-American Season

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Pace Field Hockey capped off another successful season, finishing near the top of the NE-10 Conference with a 13-8 record, which earned the team an appearance in the NCAA tournament. On an individual level, the team is proud to boast not one, but two First-Team All-Americans.

For the first time in program history, two players, Krista Dietz ’25 and Noëlle Meij ’24 were recognized as two of the nation’s top players, as selected by National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA).

The pair, who combined 11 times this season, were instrumental in pushing the team to the NCAA tournament, in which they competitively bowed out to the eventual Division II National Champions Kutztown University in a tough 2-1 loss. Dietz, who was named NFHCA East Region Player of the Year, Northeast 10 Player of the Year, and First Team All NE10, posted an incredible offensive season; leading the nation in goals (24) assists (14), assists per game (.67) points (62), and points per game (2.95). She also owns the mark for most points in a single game this season with her 11-point performance, five goals one assist, against the University of New Haven. Meij, who was also First-Team All Northeast 10, finished the year with 10 goals and 10 assists. Her .48 assists per game was among the top in all of Division II, and she recorded at least one point in six straight matches to help build momentum early in the season.

All in all, this dynamic duo—who now occupy many of the top spots in the Pace record books—helped turn in a very positive season for Head Coach Kayte Biordi and her staff. Meij, who will graduate with a degree in psychology and was also a United Nations Millennium Fellow while at Pace, will be missed by the squad, but will certainly bring her on-the-field grit and determination to wherever the future takes her.

"This accomplishment makes me happy and proud as an athlete, but field hockey is a team sport so it’s always difficult to praise individuals," says Meij. "I am very happy and proud of the improvement that we made as a team in the last three seasons and that we made it to the NCAA tournament. I hope the team will make it even further next year!"

"Being part of the Pace Field Hockey team has had a profound impact on my personal growth," adds Dietz. "It has provided me with numerous opportunities to meet new people, develop on and off the field, and show self-improvement not only as a player but also as an individual. As a team, we have faced many challenges, setbacks, and failures. However, the team has helped me learn to cope with defeat, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive attitude towards our success."