PITMAN, NJ - Rowan's Tess Herman was named the 2025 NJAC Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Year and teammate Sydney Kowalczyk earned the Rookie of the Year award in the conference's annual awards announcement. Mia Foti, Gracie Merrick and Aurelia McManis joined Herman and Kowalczyk on the All-Conference First Team while Mariah Juiliano received All-NJAC Honorable Mention.

2025 NJAC AWARDS
 
Herman claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season while making program history as the first Prof to earn the honor twice.  The senior co-captain also made her third consecutive All-NJAC First Team appearance, as she becomes the first player to accomplish that feat since Kristiina Castagnola in 2021.
 
Herman led a Prof defense that allowed 10 goals in conference play while contributing on offense with three goals and seven assists for a career-high 13 points.
 
Kowalczyk put together one of the best seasons by a Rowan freshman. In addition to earning the Rookie of the Year and All-Conference First Team honors, Kowalczyk's 39 points are the most tallied by a Prof freshman since Bridget Boyle in 2016. The midfielder also led the conference in goals scored with 17 and recorded five multi-goal games, including one hat trick, and had a team-high five game-winning goals.  
 
Foti's selection to the All-Conference First Team marks her first career honor.  The sophomore ranks second on the team with a career-high 10 goals, which includes two gamewinners, while she had three games with multiple goals. 
 
Merrick is a repeat selection, being chosen to the First Team after earning Honorable Mention in 2024. The junior scored three goals, handed out five assists and had two game-winning goals, matching her personal best with 11 points. 
 
McManis is also a first-time selection to the All-Conference Team. The junior helped the Rowan defense hold teams to 1.84 goals per game, with the number dropping to 1.67 in conference play. McManis also played a role on offense, tallying six assists and scoring one goal.
 
Juiliano receives All-Conference recognition for the first time in her career. She has made 85 saves, posted three shutouts and compiled a 13-5 record, while recording a goals-against average of 1.58. With 218 career saves, the senior ranks ninth among Rowan's all-time goalkeeping leaders.
 
The #14 Profs will play for their fifth consecutive conference championship on Saturday, when they host TCNJ at 5 p.m. Ticketing is digital only and available prior to the game. No cash will be accepted. PURCHASE TICKETS