The Hartford Hawks field hockey program celebrated a double distinction this week as senior midfielders Mikayla Mathews and Sara Costa were selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District At-Large team.
Both athletes concluded their senior seasons with perfect attendance, appearing in every one of the team's 15 contests and starting each game.
Mathews logged a team-high 905 minutes on the field, notched her first collegiate assist on October 7 against Manhattanville, and earned a spot on the Conference of New England Community Service Team.
Her academic accolades continued with inclusion on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad and a CNE Academic All-Conference honor, making her the first Hawk ever to receive the NFHCA Scholar of Distinction award.
Costa contributed 883 minutes, ranked second on the squad with 12 shots on goal, and recorded her first collegiate assist on September 9 versus Albertus Magnus.
She, too, was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad and earned CNE Academic All-Conference recognition, underscoring the team's blend of athletic grit and scholarly commitment.
The twin honors reflect a broader narrative of excellence for the Hawks, a program that has steadily climbed the competitive ladder while emphasizing community service and academic achievement.
A Milestone for the Program
Mathews' historic Scholar of Distinction designation marks a first in Hartford history, signaling a new benchmark for future Hawks.
Both seniors will graduate with a legacy that intertwines on-field performance, classroom distinction, and service to the community, setting a standard for the next generation.