PITMAN, NJ --- Rowan University sophomore forward Sydney Kowalczyk (Medford, NJ/Moorestown) has been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Year to headline an impressive slate of award winners and all-conference honorees.
 
Additionally, Kean University graduate student Shannon Conroy (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) was tabbed Midfielder of the Year. Rowan senior Aurelia McManis (Blackwood, NJ/Triton Regional) was named Defensive Player of the Year. The College of New Jersey graduate student Brigitte Racey (Ashburn, VA/Broad Run) is the Goaltender of the Year for the second straight season. Stockton University freshman Stella Devlin (Millville, NJ/St. Joseph Academy) earns Rookie of the Year. Rowan head coach Michelle Andre and her staff were tabbed the Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
In total, 21 student-athletes earned all-conference recognition for the fall 2026 season. All-conference and major award selections were determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches and were based on both overall and conference-only performances.
 
Kowalczyk, a three-time Offensive Player of the Week selection this season, followed up her Rookie of the Year campaign with an even stronger sophomore season. Overall, she tallied 50 points on 20 goals and 10 assists in 19 games. Her point total tied for the NJAC lead, and she ranked second in the league in both goals and assists. Her four game-winning goals were the most in the conference. In conference play, Kowalczyk led the NJAC with 12 goals and 28 points, averaging 4.00 points per game. She added four assists and tied for the league lead with two game-winning goals.
 
Conroy, now a three-time All-Conference First Team selection, capped her career with Midfielder of the Year honors. She was also named Offensive Player of the Week once this season. Overall, the Kean graduate student posted 38 points on 13 goals and a league-best 12 assists in 15 games, ranking fourth in the NJAC in points (2.53 per game). In conference play, Conroy again led the league with seven assists. She ranked third in the NJAC with 23 points and fourth with eight goals, and she caged one game-winning goal.
 
McManis, a two-time All-Conference First Team selection and a Defensive Player of the Week honoree this season, anchored a Rowan defense that was the best in the NJAC. In conference play, the Profs allowed just four goals in seven games (0.57 per game), the fewest in the league. Overall, Rowan’s 1.16 goals allowed per game also led the conference. McManis also gave the Profs a scoring threat from the back. Overall, she recorded 22 points on eight goals and six assists, the most points and goals of any NJAC defender, and her three game-winning scores were tied for the second-most in the league. In conference play, she tallied eight points on three goals and two assists, with two of those goals counting as game winners.
 
Racey earned Goaltender of the Year honors for the second straight season while adding her third consecutive All-Conference First Team selection. She was also named Defensive Player of the Week once this season. Overall, the TCNJ graduate student led the NJAC with an .804 save percentage and five shutouts, and her 1.32 goals against average ranked second. She made 86 saves in 16 games while compiling an 11-5 record. In conference play, Racey posted a 0.91 goals against average, second in the league. She allowed just six goals in seven games and tied for the NJAC lead with three shutouts.
 
Devlin burst onto the scene as a freshman, earning Rookie of the Year honors. The four-time NJAC Rookie of the Week produced 42 points on 18 goals and six assists in just 14 games. She ranked third in the NJAC in overall points and third in goals. She also recorded three game-winning goals. In conference play, Devlin led all NJAC rookies and ranked second in the league in both goals (11) and points (25), adding three assists and one game-winning goal.
 
Andre and her staff of Kristiina Castagnola, Erin Small, Danielle Altersitz, Garnell Peters, and Brooke Benson guided Rowan to a standout season, earning Coaching Staff of the Year honors. The Profs placed five student-athletes on the all-conference team, including four First Team selections. Their honorees included Offensive Player of the Year Kowalczyk and Defensive Player of the Year McManis. Rowan went a perfect 7-0 in league play and 15-4 overall in the regular season.
 

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