Marlborough, Mass. - August 25, 2026 - As the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) field hockey season approaches, a mix of proven veterans and rising contributors are positioned to shape the conference race. From established award winners to players stepping into larger roles, these 10 standouts are worth keeping an eye on throughout the fall.
1. Myles Lakin, GK, WPI
Junior - Reading, Massachusetts
Lakin enters the 2026 season as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after leading WPI to the NEWMAC title game for the first time in program history and to an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 32 seasons. The NEWMAC All-Conference First Teamer went 15-6 in the cage with 129 saves, six shutouts, a goals against average of just 1.15 and a save percentage of .843, which ranked ninth in the country,
2. Rachel Simkewicz, F, Springfield
Sophomore - Westminster, Massachusetts
Simkewicz was named as the NEWMAC’s Rookie of the Year in 2025 and was the top-scoring first year in the conference. The rising sophomore produced 16 goals and four assists for a team-best 36 points which ranked fifth in the league. The Pride recorded its most wins in a season since 2018 and reached the NEWMAC semifinal round under Mia Olsen.
3. Penny Baroni, F/M, Babson
Junior - Dennis, Massachusetts
Rising junior Penny Baroni claimed All-America recognition in 2025 for the first time in her career after finishing a historic campaign with 11 goals, seven assists and 29 points. The 2024 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year started in all 23 games as a sophomore and led the Beavers to their fifth straight NEWMAC Tournament Championship and to the NCAA National Semifinals for the third time since 2016.
4. Anna Bonazzoli, D, Babson
Sophomore - Clinton, Massachusetts
Bonazzoli had a stellar first-year at Babson earning both NFHCA All-Region accolades and a spot on the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team. She backboned a squad that allowed just 22 goals in 24 games and recorded 11 shutouts. Babson conceded just three goals in nine NEWMAC regular season contests and finished the year ranked 13th nationally in goals against average and 18th in shutouts per game.
5. Audrey Oh, D, MIT
Senior - Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Oh earned a spot on the NEWMAC All-Conference and NFHCA All-Region I Second Teams as a junior. She contributed to a defense that ranked third in the NEWMAC in goals against average, fewest goals allowed and fewest goals allowed in conference play. Offensively, Oh produced three goals and one assists and returns to a squad that is looking to reclaim the conference championship title in 2026.
6. Anouk Bosket, M/F, Smith
Sophomore - Jordanstown, Northern Ireland
Rising sophomore Anouk Bosket was tremendous in the midfield for Smith in 2025 and earned a spot on the NFHCA All-Region Second Team and NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team. Bosket recorded four goals and four assists for 12 points, ranking only behind Callahan Day for Smith across all three categories.
7. Marguerite Greene, D, Wellesley
Senior - Boston, Massachusetts
Greene took home NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team honors as a junior anchoring an Wellesley defense to four shutouts. She made a pair of defensive saves against nationally-ranked Swarthmore and Bowdoin over the course of the season.
8. Elliot Lund, F, Salve Regina
Sophomore - Beverly, Massachusetts
Elliot Lund was one of the top scoring first-years in the NEWMAC in 2025 finishing her rookie campaign with eight goals, seven assists and 23 points. Lund led Salve Regina to the NEWMAC Championship Tournament quarterfinals a season ago after picking up four wins in conference play.
9. MJ Owens, F, Mount Holyoke
Junior - Fairfield, Connecticut
Rising Junior MJ Owens had a breakout sophomore season totaling 16 goals and one assist for 33 points after having just four points as a rookie. Owens ranked third in the NEWMAC in goals and joins Simkewicz from Springfield as the top scorers returning to the league in 2026. Owens’ 33 points also ranked fifth int he conference last season.
10. Madeline Chase, D, WPI
Junior - Danvers, Massachusetts
Madeline Chase played in 21 games as a sophomore and guided the Engineers to the NEWMAC title game for the first time in program history and to an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 32 seasons. Chase and the WPI defense, which allowed just 1.15 goals per game, was one of the top units in the country last season and will look to hoist the NEWMAC trophy for the first time ever in 2026.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with seven Associate Members: New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.