Colorado Springs, CO (August 28, 2026) - Three Alvernia University field hockey players were named to the 2026 NFHCA Watchlist, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Thursday. Ava Michael, Kelsy McClintock, and Sarah Schaffer all find themselves receiving national recognition ahead of the 2026 season.
The 2026 NFHCA Watchlist consists of 204 student-athletes. The list is intended to showcase the field hockey student-athletes with the strongest potential for consideration to this season's NFHCA All-Region and All-American teams. To be nominated to the 2026 Watchlist, student-athletes must have been previously recognized for their outstanding field hockey abilities within the past two seasons.
Michael, who was named to the 2025 NFHCA Watchlist, ended the 2025 season as a NFHCA First Team All-Region honoree as the MAC Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-MAC Commonwealth honoree. She finished with 18 goals and five assists on the year, starting and playing in all 19 of Alvernia's games. She finished the season with five game-winning goals, and had five multi-goal games. She scored two more points in 11 of Alvernia's 19 games.
McClintock, who was a Second Team All-MAC Commonwealth honoree in 2025, finished the season with eight goals and five assists for Alvernia. McClintock started and played in all 19 of Alvernia's games. She finished third for the Golden Wolves with 21 points. She also finished with two game-winning goals on the year for Alvernia. McClintock had eight multi-point games for the Golden Wolves.
Schaffer, who anchored the Golden Wolves' defense in 2025 and was honored as a Second Team All-MAC Commonwealth defender, led Alvernia in minutes played at 1,179 and started and played in all 19 of Alvernia's games. She finished the season with two defensive saves. Schaffer helped lead Alvernia's defense to a 1.79 opponent goals against average and a .140 opponent shot percentage, placing them fourth in the MAC Commonwealth in both statistical categories.
Alvernia opens its 2026 season on Tuesday, September 1 with a 7:00 PM away game against Gettysburg.
