The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) recognized the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey backs Jessica Ascencao and Maggie Cottrell as elite players of their region, naming the duo to the NFHCA North Atlantic All-Region Team.

Ascencao had arguably the best freshman season in SUNY New Paltz history. The Lakeland High School product earned a spot on the NFHCA Division III North Atlantic Region First Team after starting all 20 games, totaling a team-high 12 goals — seventh most in Hawks single-season history. Three of those goals came in her second career game against St. Lawrence University Sept. 2 when she put together her first career hat trick. Ascencao also led SUNY New Paltz with 28 points, ranking seventh-most in program history, and her 1.4 points per-game placed in the top-150 in the nation.

Cottrell was named to the NFCHA DIII North Atlantic Region Second-Team, following her second-straight All-Conference selection. The senior out of Pittsford, NY had three assists on the year while playing stout defensively in front of goalie Ryan Dowling. Cottrell started every game since stepping foot on the field for the Hawks and ends her career as a two-time conference champion with First-Team and Second-Team All-Conference selections to go along with her All-Region nod. 

The duo played a vital role in the Hawks' 7-1 record against State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opponents, with four of Ascencao's goals coming in conference play. Both were named to the SUNYAC All-Tournament team, while Ascencao also tallied an assist in the SUNY New Paltz's NCAA Tournament loss against Keene State.

The two are the first Hawks since 2015 to earn All-Region honors, and they bring the all-time total to 13. Ascencao's First-Team selection qualifies her for an All-American nod, and if named would be just the fifth Hawk to earn All-American status.

To see the full NFCHA All-Region list, click here.