HENNIKER, N.H. - The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) has announced its All-Conference teams and postseason awards for the 2026 field hockey season, with senior Lauren Hall (Belfast, Maine) being named Defensive Player of the Year.  

An integral part of the Pilgrims' defense, Hall started all 18 games for the Pilgrims and helped the team to seven shutout victories and lead the conference with a 1.30 goals-against average throughout the season.  

The senior captain had a larger presence on the field to fill when 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Martina Hill graduated. Lauren was able to step into that roll quickly as the successor, with breaking up passes and regaining possession for the Pilgrims. Hall was able to help lead her defense by allowing 11.4 shots per game and 6.7 shots on goal per contest.  

Lauren was recognized on the GNAC Weekly Honor ending on October 19th, after the Pilgrims had two shutout victories and one overtime win, with a score of 7-2. She recorded a defensive save that week against the defending GNAC champions Dean College which helped preserve a 3-0 win over the bulldogs.  

Hall now caps off her senior season with the well-earned GNAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, the second year in a row that the Pilgrims have earned the title and second since joining the conference in 2023.  

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