University of Delaware Athletics
Field Hockey’s Fiest, Michielsen, and Rigual Named to NFHCA Division I Preseason Watchlist
8/27/2026 10:25:00 AM | Field Hockey
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - University of Delaware field hockey student-athletes Kate Fiest, Alexa Michielsen, and Sarah Rigual have been selected to the NFHCA Division I Preseason Watchlist, the organization announced Thursday.
Across Division I, 212 student-athletes earned the nod. Student-athletes were nominated by their NFHCA member coaches and must have earned qualifying field hockey recognition within the previous two years. Qualifying honors include NFHCA All-Region, NFHCA All-America, All-Conference, Senior Nexus Championship selection, NCAA All-Tournament Team, or selection to a U.S. National or international team roster.
Delaware's three student-athletes lead the MPSF. The only other member institution with them in the conference is UC Davis, who had two.
Fiest earns her second-straight nod to the list after appearing in all 18 games for the Fightin' Blue Hens in 2025, picking up an All-MPSF selection. The senior led the conference in assists with eight, as well as adding five goals.
Michielsen joined the Blue & Gold after three years with head coach Tara Zollinger at Shippensburg. She made an immediate impact, scoring six goals in her first season at the Division I level, being named All-MPSF at the conclusion of the season.
Rigual picks up the laurel after a stellar offseason which included her being named to the US U-21 Women's National Team, where she played in two international events. She played and started in all 18 games in 2025, depositing three goals and dishing out seven assists.
The squad enters 2026 after winning two-straight conference championships and will host the MPSF Tournament in November before joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in July 2027.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware field hockey, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Across Division I, 212 student-athletes earned the nod. Student-athletes were nominated by their NFHCA member coaches and must have earned qualifying field hockey recognition within the previous two years. Qualifying honors include NFHCA All-Region, NFHCA All-America, All-Conference, Senior Nexus Championship selection, NCAA All-Tournament Team, or selection to a U.S. National or international team roster.
Delaware's three student-athletes lead the MPSF. The only other member institution with them in the conference is UC Davis, who had two.
Fiest earns her second-straight nod to the list after appearing in all 18 games for the Fightin' Blue Hens in 2025, picking up an All-MPSF selection. The senior led the conference in assists with eight, as well as adding five goals.
Michielsen joined the Blue & Gold after three years with head coach Tara Zollinger at Shippensburg. She made an immediate impact, scoring six goals in her first season at the Division I level, being named All-MPSF at the conclusion of the season.
Rigual picks up the laurel after a stellar offseason which included her being named to the US U-21 Women's National Team, where she played in two international events. She played and started in all 18 games in 2025, depositing three goals and dishing out seven assists.
The squad enters 2026 after winning two-straight conference championships and will host the MPSF Tournament in November before joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in July 2027.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware field hockey, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, August 20
Monday, October 27
Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 14
