Nationally Ranked Cougars Historic Season

By Kervin Coleman | Published December 7, 2023

After receiving an at-large bid to enter, the Kean Cougars field hockey team was NCAA Tournament-bound. The Cougars had a steady season, entering the tournament ranked thirteenth in the country. The Cougars were sitting at 11-5 and had slim hopes to look forward to going into the postseason after losing in the NJAC Semifinals to The College of New Jersey.

On Nov. 5, The Cougars waited until 10 P.M. to find out whether or not they would be eligible for the NCAA Tournament with hopes of optimism. The entire team waited together in a conference room for the verdict that they had made the tournament.

“It was such a great feeling finding out that we made the NCAA Tournament. We worked so hard the entire season to make it to this point,” Junior Midfielder Kelsey Corbett said.

In the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament first-round action on Nov. 8, the Cougars defeated St. Mary’s College by a score of 4-2 in a comeback fashion.

On Nov. 11, Head Coach Leslie LaFronz notched her 200th career victory at Kean as the Cougars shocked the number three ranked Captains of Christopher Newport University with a 1-0 overtime victory in the NCAA Tournament second round.

LaFronz is in her fifteenth season as the head coach of the field hockey program. She is the winningest coach in program history, winning 201 games at Kean (217 overall), and qualified for the postseason in 12 of the last 14 seasons during her time in Union. 

“Coach LaFronz coaches us up every chance she gets,” Freshman Tzuriya Thompson said. “It shows in how far we came this season that her philosophy works.”

Laura Stump notched the game-winner in the 42nd minute to lift the Cougars to a 2-1 victory over 11 University of Lynchburg in NCAA Tournament third-round action on Nov 12.

“Towards the end of the season, it was easy to keep a strong mindset,” Corbett said. “Especially in the NCAA tournament because we all wanted to go far in the tournament.” 

The Cougars have multiple catalysts that lead the way into the season and post-season. The NJAC All-Conference list consisted of five different Cougars, while four different Cougars got selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Region IV first team. One of them is senior Jorja Hibschman. 

Hibschman was named NJAC Midfielder of the Year and earned her first All-NJAC and All-Regionselection after scoring after tallying 16 points on six goals and four assists, including two game-winners. She shares the title with Claire Engebreth of TCNJ and becomes the program’s fifth Midfielder of the Year, joining Lia DiPiazza (Spring 2021), Teresa Carr (2017), Marissa Robinson (2015), and Olivia Triano (2010, 2011).

Another catalyst is fifth-year player Jenna Flemings. Flemings has had one of the more decorated careers in Kean’s history with the accolades and accomplishments she’s collected. 

Flemings was selected NJAC Goaltender of the Year and an All-NJAC first-team pick after recording 136 saves for a .850 save percentage and a 1.19 goals-against average in 21 games. During the season, she was named NJAC Defensive Player of the Week twice.

“Jenna Flemings is a great leader on and off the field,” Corbett said. “She’s an exceptional goalie and teammate and played a huge role on the team.” 

She was chosen to the NCAA All-Championship Team in the postseason. Fleming has been named to his third All-Region team. Flemings became the only Cougar in program history to receive the honor three times. 

Peyton Mann is another decorated fifth-year catalyst the Cougars go to in their time of need. Mann is named to her third All-NJAC and All-Region first team after scoring 44 points on 16 goals and 12 assists, including four game-winners, in 21 games. She finished first in the NJAC in game-winners and assists and second in shots on goal, goals, and points. The senior was named NJAC Offensive Player of the Week once.Fifth-year players Morgan and Laura Stump have the luxury of being twin sisters and teammates on this team, and both are contributors to the team’s success. Morgan Stump is named to her third All-NJAC first-team selection and second All-Region after tallying 17 points on six goals and five assists, including two game-winners in 21 games. She finished eleventh in shots and assists in the NJAC. Laura Stump is named to her first All-NJAC team after scoring 11 points on four goals and two assists, including two game-winners, in 21 games. She finished ninth in shots in the NJAC.

Flemings made 14 saves as the Cougars had their historic run come to an end in the NCAA Semifinals with a 2-0 loss to number four ranked Johns Hopkins University at CNU’s Jennings Family Field on Nov 17. The Cougars’ season ended with a 14-6 record, a Final Four bid, and many memories to build upon for future seasons.

 “We worked so hard the entire season to make it to this point, and it was incredible when that hard work finally paid off,” Corbett said.

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