Women’s Ice Hockey’s Claire Sammons ’25 named NESCAC Player of the Year; Caitlin Pierce ’28 earns Rookie of the Year
Women’s Ice Hockey’s Claire Sammons ’25 named NESCAC Player of the Year; Caitlin Pierce ’28 earns Rookie of the Year
The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) announced its women’s ice hockey awards for the 2024-25 season, and two players from Connecticut College earned major awards.
Leading the way was senior Claire Sammons ’25 who was named NESCAC Player of the Year and landed on the All-NESCAC First Team. Sammons is the first Camel to earn the conference’s top award.
Joining Sammons was Caitlin Pierce ’28, who was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year and landed on the All-NESCAC Second Team.
“It is a great honor for our team to receive these awards, as voted on by the coaches in the league,” said Head Coach Kristin Steele.
“Claire has been a leader for our team this season. She has used her speed and shot to become a top player in this league and plays hard at both ends of the ice. While her points on the offensive end are celebrated by all, I have always been particularly impressed by her commitment to the defensive zone and willingness to do the work that often goes unnoticed.”
Sammons led the Camels with 18 points on six goals and 12 assists in 24 games. The forward also blocked 22 shots and ranked fourth in assists and seventh in points among the NESCAC leaders.
Pierce is the third Conn player to earn Rookie of the Year honors.
“I am excited for Caitlin to receive this award; it is well deserved,” Steele said. “She loves to play and has always worked hard to improve her game. I look forward to seeing the impact Caitlin will have in future. Caitlin, along with her fellow first-years, has set the bar high and that is exciting for the upcoming season.”
Pierce ranked second on the team and fourth in the conference in rookie scoring, recording 14 points on six goals and eight assists, while finishing with the second most game-winning goals, including an overtime winner to hand No. 1 Middlebury their first loss on Jan. 11.
The Camels finished the year with an 11-12-1 mark overall and a 6-9-1 mark in conference play, earning the No. 8 seed in the NESCAC Tournament and making their 16th conference tournament appearance in the last 17 years.
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