MANAHAWKIN. N.J. - Senior midfielder Lineke Spaans was tabbed as Lafayette field hockey's first ever First Team All-American, following the National Field Hockey Coaches Association's (NFHCA) announcement of 48 Division I student-athletes as the 2024 NFHCA All-Americans on Tuesday morning.

This distinguished group is classified into first, second and third teams, highlighting their remarkable performances this fall. Spaans is one of two Patriot League athletes receiving recognition, alongside Bucknell's Lily Neilson on the third team.

The Maroon and White co-captain was selected as an All-Mideast Region First Team honoree on Dec. 4, after being identified early in the fall by both the collegiate conference and the NFHCA as the Preseason All-Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and a Division I Watchlist member.

Her other laurels from 2024 include postseason selections to the NFHCA DI Senior Team, All-Patriot League First Team, the Patriot League Tournament Team and a nod as Tournament MVP. Throughout the year, she collected two weekly laurels from the conference on Sept. 2 and Oct. 28.

In 2023, Spaans was named a Second Team All-American. She is one of 11 Leopards to earn the career accolade and one of two student-athletes to make the team twice.

Spaans led the Leopards offensively this season with 27 points on 10 goals and seven assists, including four game-winning goals. The International Affairs major is credited with over 4,000 career minutes of play as a consistent starter and threat in the midfield. She graduates from College Hill this spring after totaling 96 career points on 33 goals, 30 assists and 12 game-winning goals.

The 2024 Patriot League Champion Leopards closed out the season with a 14-7 (5-1 PL) record, ending with their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012.

The NFHCA Division I All-America announcement is the third in a list of postseason awards from the NFHCA. The association has already released the 2024 NFHCA Division I All-Region teams and the 2024 NFHCA Division I Regional Players of the Year. The NFHCA Division I National Player of the Year will be announced on December 19. The NFHCA All-Region/All-American teams are officially sponsored by Apex Field Hockey.


For the latest on the Lafayette College field hockey program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteFH and Instagram @lafayette_fh.