WASHINGTON – Saint Joseph's junior back Milou Kluyt was named the Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Year, the league office announced on Wednesday afternoon.  In addition, eight of her teammates also earned All-Conference accolades.
 
Erika Culp and Ava Smith were named to the All-Conference First Team, while Alison Buffington, Laine Delmotte, Paige Kieft, and Emily Tammaro joined Kluyt on the Second Team.  Brooke James and Adèle Jardemar were tabbed for the All-Rookie Team, and both Buffington and Kluyt earned All-Academic laurels.
 
Kluyt started all 18 games on the Hawk defensive line and was part of a defense that held opponents to just 7.5 shots per game and 4.33 per game in conference play; Saint Joseph's also allowed the second-fewest goals in the Atlantic 10 this season.  The Goirle, Netherlands, native tallied three goals this season as well, including a two-goal performance against La Salle on October 31.  Kluyt is also a two-time NFHCA National Academic Squad selection.
 
Earning her third All-Conference honor in as many years, Culp is tied for third on the team in points, tied for fourth in goals, and sits solo third in assists.  The Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, native scored on both of her shootout attempts, including the game-winner, as the Hawks topped #11 UConn in the season opener.  A Preseason All-Conference selection this year, she was named to the All-Conference Second Team last season and earned an All-Rookie nod in 2023.
 
Smith ranks fourth in the conference with 16 goals scored this season and leads all scorers with eight goals in conference play.  The Glasgow, Scotland, product was a three-time A-10 Offensive Player of the Week this season and set a new program single-game record with nine points in the win over Lock Haven on October 3.  Her four goals in the game tied a school record as well.
 
Another Preseason All-Conference selection, Buffington earned All-Academic honors for the second consecutive season and is a three-time NFHCA Scholar of Distinction and National Academic Squad honoree.  Starting all 18 games this season on the forward line, the native of Enola, Pa., tallied the game-winner at Lock Haven and collected three points in the win over La Salle.
 
Delmotte was a rock in the midfield after joining the Hawks from Lafayette, where she was a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in 2023.  The North Vancouver, British Columbia, native started all 18 games for the Hawks and played nearly every minute in each of them, helping front the Hawks' strong defense.
 
Hailing from Newtown Square, Pa., Kieft started all 18 games in the cage for Saint Joseph's after coming to Hawk Hill from Maryland.  She posted four shutouts, including three in conference games, and finished the regular season with the second lowest goals against average in the league overall and in conference play.  After making 13 saves across the first two games of the season and making key stops in the shootout in the win over UConn, Kieft earned both Atlantic 10 Conference and NFHCA National Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
 
Another impact transfer in her final season, Tammaro started all 18 games and went the distance in most, serving as a key cog in the midfield and as the Hawks' primary inserter on attacking penalty corners.  The Virginia Beach, Virginia, native, who spent three seasons at Old Dominion, is tied for the team lead and ranks among the league leaders in assists.
 
James appeared in all 18 games, starting 14, and ranks second on the team in goals scored.  The Auckland, New Zealand, product is tied for seventh in the league in goals across all games and tied for sixth in goals in conference play.  James has also added a pair of game-winners, putting the Hawks over the line against both American and La Salle.
 
Jardemar also came to Hawk Hill from Maryland and was a fixture on the defensive side of the ball, appearing in 17 games and making 16 starts.  A native of Saint Germain en Laye, France, Jardemar is tied for the team lead and ranks among the league leaders in assists; she recorded three assists on opening weekend on the way to Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors and later added two assists in the win over Davidson.
 
Davidson's Sib Naatkgeboren and Zoe Almquist were named the Offensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively; Emma Clements of VCU earned Goalkeeper of the Year accolades while her teammate, Lina Behrmann, was tabbed the Rookie of the Year.
 
The Hawks, seeded third in the Atlantic 10 Championship, will take on second-seeded VCU on Thursday afternoon for a spot in the league title game.  Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.