Drexel University Athletics
Van Hellemont Named CAA Preseason Player of the Year; Drexel Picked First in Preseason Poll
8/21/2025 12:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
Valentine Van Hellemont, Anna Castaldo, Alana Poole and Marti Sanabria were named to the All-CAA Team
RICHMOND, Va. – Valentine Van Hellemont was unanimously selected as the 2025 CAA Preseason Player of the Year as Drexel field hockey was picked first in the CAA Preseason Poll. Van Hellemont was also named to the Preseason All-CAA Team, joining Anna Castaldo, Alana Poole, and Marti Sanabria, while freshman Fleur Hamers earned honorable mention.
Van Hellemont, the 2024 CAA Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American, led Drexel in scoring last season with 11 goals and 22 points. She has been named to the All-CAA First Team in each of her first two seasons and was also the 2023 CAA Rookie of the Year.
Joining Van Hellemont on the Preseason All-CAA Team are Anna Castaldo, Marti Sanabria, and goalkeeper Alana Poole. Castaldo earned All-CAA First Team honors last season after finishing second on the team in goals with nine and totaling 20 points. Sanabria was named to the All-CAA Second Team in 2024, recording four goals and four assists in 19 starts. Poole, an All-CAA Second Team and All-Rookie selection a year ago, ranked third nationally in win-loss percentage and fourth in goals against average after taking over as Drexel's starter.
Hamers was recognized with an honorable mention selection. The Netherlands native enters her first season with the Dragons in 2025.
The Dragons, who received 25 points with five first-place votes, were followed in the poll by Monmouth with 20 points. Northeastern collected one first-place vote to finish third with 16 points. Hofstra and Towson tied for fourth with 10 points apiece, while William & Mary rounded out the poll with nine points.
Fresh off the 2024 CAA regular season title, Drexel will open the 2025 campaign at home against Central Michigan on Friday, August 30.
2025 CAA Field Hockey Preseason Poll
Van Hellemont, the 2024 CAA Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American, led Drexel in scoring last season with 11 goals and 22 points. She has been named to the All-CAA First Team in each of her first two seasons and was also the 2023 CAA Rookie of the Year.
Joining Van Hellemont on the Preseason All-CAA Team are Anna Castaldo, Marti Sanabria, and goalkeeper Alana Poole. Castaldo earned All-CAA First Team honors last season after finishing second on the team in goals with nine and totaling 20 points. Sanabria was named to the All-CAA Second Team in 2024, recording four goals and four assists in 19 starts. Poole, an All-CAA Second Team and All-Rookie selection a year ago, ranked third nationally in win-loss percentage and fourth in goals against average after taking over as Drexel's starter.
Hamers was recognized with an honorable mention selection. The Netherlands native enters her first season with the Dragons in 2025.
The Dragons, who received 25 points with five first-place votes, were followed in the poll by Monmouth with 20 points. Northeastern collected one first-place vote to finish third with 16 points. Hofstra and Towson tied for fourth with 10 points apiece, while William & Mary rounded out the poll with nine points.
Fresh off the 2024 CAA regular season title, Drexel will open the 2025 campaign at home against Central Michigan on Friday, August 30.
2025 CAA Field Hockey Preseason Poll
| Team (1st) | Points |
| 1. Drexel (5) | 25 |
| 2. Monmouth | 20 |
| 3. Northeastern (1) | 16 |
| 4. Hofstra | 10 |
| 5. Towson | 10 |
| 6. William and Mary | 9 |
Players Mentioned
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