BETHLEHEM, Pa.- Lineke Spaans, the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and Makenzie Switzer of the Lafayette field hockey program were selected to the 2024 Preseason All-Patriot League team as announced by the conference office on Thursday morning.
 
The squad was predicted to finish second overall in the preseason poll in a vote of the conference coaches with 55 votes. The Leopards lead Boston U., Lehigh, Holy Cross and Colgate while tied with Bucknell. American secured the top spot with 69 points and 10 first place votes.

Spaans was most recently named a 2023 All-Mideast Region and Second-Team All-American honoree after being identified in the fall season by both the collegiate conference and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). She was tabbed as a Preseason All-Patriot League, NFHCA Division I Watchlist, All-Patriot League and All-Conference Tournament selection. Throughout the year, she collected two weekly laurels.

The Bussum, Netherlands native led the team in scoring during the 2023 season with 32 points on 11 goals and 10 assists. Of her 11 goals, six were game-winners that came against Wagner, Colgate, Drexel, Boston, Providence and Towson. Spaans totaled 967 minutes of play as a starter in all 19 contests.

Switzer, a junior Biology major, also earned a spot on the 2023 All-Mideast Region Second Team roster for her defensive efforts. The West Pittston, Pa. native helped lead a Leopard unit that held all 17 opponents to 10 or less shots on goal and held 11 teams under five shots on goal. She totaled 995 minutes in 17 starts leading to a First-Team All-Patriot League and postseason All-Tournament Team title.
 
Lafayette will open the 2024 season by hosting Vermont at 6 p.m. on Aug. 30 at Rappolt Field, with league play beginning Sept. 20 at Holy Cross.

2024 Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. American, 69 points (10 first-place votes)
T2. Lafayette, 55 (2)
T2. Bucknell, 55 (2)
4. Boston University, 46
5. Lehigh, 33
6. Holy Cross, 24
7. Colgate, 12
 
2024 Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Lineke Spaans, Lafayette, Sr., M
Defensive Player of the Year – Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
 
2024 Field Hockey Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Bryn Underwood, American, Gr., GK
Tayla-Jade Weiss, American, Sr., D
Agustina Roffo, American, Sr., M
Payton Anderson, Boston University, Sr., B
Martu Coulo, Boston University, Jr., M
Lily Neilson, Bucknell, Sr., F
Kira Leclercq, Bucknell, Jr., D
Sarah Potter, Holy Cross, 5th, F
Lineke Spaans, Lafayette, Sr., M
Makenzie Switzer, Lafayette, Jr. D
Julia Gatelein, Lehigh, 5th, M
 

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