Stanford University’s field hockey program has placed five athletes on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Collegiate Watch List as it prepares for the start of the regular season. The NFHCA announced Thursday that 196 student-athletes from 64 Division I schools are included on this inaugural list, which aims to highlight those with strong potential for All-Region and All-American honors.
To qualify for the 2025 NFHCA Watchlist, athletes needed to have received recognition for their performance over the past two years—such as NFHCA All-Region, All-American, conference honors, participation in the Senior Nexus Championship, NCAA All-Tournament Team selections, or placement on U.S. national or international teams—and be nominated by a coach who is an NFHCA member.
Among Stanford’s honorees is Daisy Ford, a Preseason All-ACC nominee returning for her senior year. She is joined by Anya Jackson, who was recognized after contributing during her freshman season. Cara Sambeth, named to the 2024 All-ACC Second Team and who led Stanford in goals last season with six and ranked second in points with twelve during her redshirt campaign, also appears on the list.
The watchlist includes two newcomers: Summer Knight-Thompson and Natalie Hoppe. Both freshmen earned selection following successful international careers before joining Stanford.
Stanford opens its 2025 season at The Conference Cup against No. 4 Maryland and James Madison. The team will face Maryland at 9 a.m. PT on Friday, August 29 and James Madison at 8 a.m. PT on Sunday, August 31. Both matches will be played at Maryland’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park and streamed via BTN+ ($).
“The inaugural watchlist includes 196 student-athletes from 64 Division I institutions. This NFHCA Collegiate Watchlist is intended to showcase those field hockey student-athletes with the strongest potential for consideration to the current year’s NFHCA All-Region and All-American teams.”
“To be nominated for the 2025 NFHCA Watchlist, student-athletes must have been previously recognized for their outstanding field hockey abilities within the past two years (NFHCA All-Region, NFHCA All-American, All-Conference, Senior Nexus Championship selection, NCAA All-Tournament Team, and/or U.S. National or International Team roster) and nominated by their NFHCA member coach.”
