Drexel University Athletics
11/3/2026 4:01:00 PM | Field Hockey
RICHMOND, Va. – The Dragons took home two awards, and seven Dragons earned spots on all-conference teams as the Coastal Athletic Association announced its 2026 awards. Senior Valentine Van Hellemont was named CAA Player of the Year, marking the third straight season the Belgian native has done so. Junior Halle Geiger was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year after a standout season in the cage for the Dragons. Both Van Hellemont and Geiger were named to the All-CAA First Team and were joined by Pili Lemoine and Fleur Hamers. Senior defender Nicole Enslin earned second-team honors, and Ludy Holst and Cato Nackaerts were named to the All-CAA rookie team, highlighting their contributions in their freshman campaign.
Valentine Van Hellemont is the first field hockey player in Drexel history to earn four major CAA awards and earns her third straight CAA Player of the Year, surpassing Christina Mastropaolo, who earned the award twice in 2009 and 2010. Van Hellemont is the first player since Old Dominion's Marina DiGiacomo to earn three straight players of the year awards (1997-2000). The senior led the CAA in total points with 44 and total assists with 12. The Belgian native is tied for 4th in the country in Points per game (2.44), 9th in goals per game (0.89), and 11th in assists per game (0.67). Van Hellemont recorded career highs in goals (16) and points (44); she also tied her career high in assists (12). The senior helped lead the Dragons to their best record since 2012; her three game-winning goals are tied for second in the CAA. This marks her fourth season that Van Hellemont has made the All-CAA first team.
Halle Geiger is the third consecutive Dragon to win the CAA Defensive Player of the Year, following Natali Foster (2025) and Pien Elsen (2024). Geiger had a dominant year in the cage, posting a 0.773 save percentage, placing her 11th in the country. The junior ranked second in the CAA in goals-against average (1.31) and first in saves (68) and save percentage (.773). The Delaware native was atop the CAA in shutouts, keeping opponents scoreless four times this year.
Pili Lemoine was named to her second All-CAA first team, making it in 2025. The senior had an excellent campaign as she posted 37 points on the year, which marks a career high. Lemoine also recorded a career high in goals, finding the back of the net 13 times, enough for fourth in the CAA. The Uruguay native also recorded 12 assists, one away from a collegiate best, placing second in the CAA, behind Drexel teammate Valentine Van Hellemont. Lemoine recorded a CAA-leading five game-winning goals. The senior also ranked 17th in the country in Assists per game (0.61), 12th in points per game (2.06), and 22nd in goals per game (0.72).
Fleur Hamers was named to the All-CAA first team, following her freshman campaign where she made the All-CAA second team. The sophomore led the CAA in goals, scoring 19 on the season, which ranked 5th in the nation in goals per game (1.06). The Netherlands native added five assists to her season total, scoring 43 points on the season, second in the CAA following only her teammate Val Van Hellemont. Hamers recorded three game-winning goals on the season, including an overtime goal to beat Saint Joseph's.
Nicole Enslin anchored the defensive unit for the Dragons throughout the season. The senior posted career highs in points and assists with 4 and 2, respectively, as the Dragons go to target on penalty corners. Enslin recorded three defensive saves on the year, which ranked first in the conference and 15th in the nation.
Cato Nackaerts was a standout in the Dragons midfield during her freshman campaign. The Belgian recorded 18 points, totaling five goals and eight assists. Nackaerts ranked fifth in the conference in assists and tenth in total points.
Ludy Holst has been a staple of the Dragons defense, starting 16 of the 17 games she appeared in. The freshman helped the Dragons hold eight teams scoreless throughout the season, the fifth-best mark in the nation. Holst also contributed to the Dragons top 20 ranked goals-per-game average (1.31).
Valentine Van Hellemont is the first field hockey player in Drexel history to earn four major CAA awards and earns her third straight CAA Player of the Year, surpassing Christina Mastropaolo, who earned the award twice in 2009 and 2010. Van Hellemont is the first player since Old Dominion's Marina DiGiacomo to earn three straight players of the year awards (1997-2000). The senior led the CAA in total points with 44 and total assists with 12. The Belgian native is tied for 4th in the country in Points per game (2.44), 9th in goals per game (0.89), and 11th in assists per game (0.67). Van Hellemont recorded career highs in goals (16) and points (44); she also tied her career high in assists (12). The senior helped lead the Dragons to their best record since 2012; her three game-winning goals are tied for second in the CAA. This marks her fourth season that Van Hellemont has made the All-CAA first team.
Halle Geiger is the third consecutive Dragon to win the CAA Defensive Player of the Year, following Natali Foster (2025) and Pien Elsen (2024). Geiger had a dominant year in the cage, posting a 0.773 save percentage, placing her 11th in the country. The junior ranked second in the CAA in goals-against average (1.31) and first in saves (68) and save percentage (.773). The Delaware native was atop the CAA in shutouts, keeping opponents scoreless four times this year.
Pili Lemoine was named to her second All-CAA first team, making it in 2025. The senior had an excellent campaign as she posted 37 points on the year, which marks a career high. Lemoine also recorded a career high in goals, finding the back of the net 13 times, enough for fourth in the CAA. The Uruguay native also recorded 12 assists, one away from a collegiate best, placing second in the CAA, behind Drexel teammate Valentine Van Hellemont. Lemoine recorded a CAA-leading five game-winning goals. The senior also ranked 17th in the country in Assists per game (0.61), 12th in points per game (2.06), and 22nd in goals per game (0.72).
Fleur Hamers was named to the All-CAA first team, following her freshman campaign where she made the All-CAA second team. The sophomore led the CAA in goals, scoring 19 on the season, which ranked 5th in the nation in goals per game (1.06). The Netherlands native added five assists to her season total, scoring 43 points on the season, second in the CAA following only her teammate Val Van Hellemont. Hamers recorded three game-winning goals on the season, including an overtime goal to beat Saint Joseph's.
Nicole Enslin anchored the defensive unit for the Dragons throughout the season. The senior posted career highs in points and assists with 4 and 2, respectively, as the Dragons go to target on penalty corners. Enslin recorded three defensive saves on the year, which ranked first in the conference and 15th in the nation.
Cato Nackaerts was a standout in the Dragons midfield during her freshman campaign. The Belgian recorded 18 points, totaling five goals and eight assists. Nackaerts ranked fifth in the conference in assists and tenth in total points.
Ludy Holst has been a staple of the Dragons defense, starting 16 of the 17 games she appeared in. The freshman helped the Dragons hold eight teams scoreless throughout the season, the fifth-best mark in the nation. Holst also contributed to the Dragons top 20 ranked goals-per-game average (1.31).
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