Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University freshman Laela Brown has been named the 2025 Field Hockey South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the year, league officials announced Thursday afternoon. Brown is a first team All-SAC selection, with Makenna West and Erika Neuhoff earning second team all-conference accolades.

Brown gives the Bulldogs back-to-back SAC Freshman of the Year award winners. She is tied for the team lead with six goals, handing out a team-best eight assists for a team-best 20 points. Brown has three game-winning goals this year. She ranks second in the SAC in assists and seventh in points. She had a goal and two assists in her collegiate debut against Coker, while notching a goal and an assist against Frostburg State, including the OT game winner. She scored at LMU, while handing out two assists against Barton. Brown had a goal in the Converse win, while compiling a goal and an assist against Barton. She also scored the lone goal in the SAC Tourney victory over Converse.

West is an all-conference honoree for the first time in her career. The senior has started every game during her Wingate career, once again anchoring the Bulldog defense. West has helped the 'Dogs post a 2.00 goals-against average this season. Wingate has piled up six shutouts on the season.

Neuhoff is an All-SAC selection in her first season at Wingate. She is tied for the team lead with six goals, adding three assists to rank second on the team with 15 points. Neuhoff ranks 12th in the conference in goals and 15th in points. She scored in her collegiate debut against Coker, while scoring twice in the second game against the Cobras. She scored a goal against #3 Newberry, while piling up a goal and two assists in the Converse victory.

Wingate is back in action Friday, traveling to Newberry to face the #2 Wolves in the SAC Tournament semifinals at 2 p.m. The winner advances to the SAC title game Sunday at 1 p.m. at Newberry.

Field Hockey All-SAC

First Team
Parker Keeler, Newberry
Emma Westbrook, Newberry
Victoria Hulst, Lander
Payton Keeler, Newberry
Amparo Figueroa, Converse
Wibien Dahmen, Newberry
Laela Brown, Wingate
Olivia Bond, Lander
Sarah Schumacher, Belmont Abbey
Isabel Elenga, Lander
Lily Willard, Belmont Abbey
Hailey Leatherman, Belmont Abbey
Chelsy Bunse, Converse

Second Team
Amber Tozana, Newberry
Kilee Bradeen, Converse
Lieke Varenkamp, Newberry
Emma Hulsmeyer, Newberry
Erika Neuhoff, Wingate
Leira Van Tilburg, Lander
Ayanda Mangenah, Newberry
Sage Pilarski, Converse
Cecilia Müller, Belmont Abbey
Olivia Rosini, Lincoln Memorial
Chloe Kiser, Belmont Abbey
Kelcie Gannon, Coker
Makenna West, Wingate

Offensive Player of the Year | Parker Keeler, Newberry
Defensive Player of the Year | Sarah Schumacher, Belmont Abbey
Co-Freshman of the Year | Laela Brown, Wingate
Co-Freshman of the Year | Cayla Wiggins, Lincoln Memorial
Coach of the Year | Hannah Dave, Newberry