MEDFORD, MA (November 10, 2026) – Tufts Field Hockey's undefeated season has been recognized by the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which announced five awards for the Jumbos in its 2026 All-Conference release today.
Sophomore forward
Eleanor Helm was named the 2026 NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year, and the Tufts coaching staff was named NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Helm, senior defender
Claire Casey and junior midfielder
Eleanor Luft were also selected to the All-NESCAC first team.
The Jumbos are 18-0 overall after winning their fourth conference championship on Sunday. Tufts was 10-0 in NESCAC play for the first time ever.
Helm leads the conference in goals, points, shots, shots on goal and game-winning goals. She has scored 20 goals and four assists for 44 points in 18 games, an average of 2.44 points per game. The next-closest scorer in the NESCAC has 31 points. Her nine game-winning goals account for half of Tufts' 18 on the season. In NESCAC games alone, Helm tallied 13 goals and 28 points. Her seven-point afternoon against Colby on Sept. 12 (three goals) was the best single-game total on the team this season.
Helm is Tufts' first Offensive Player of the Year since Tamara Brown was honored in back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010. This is her second All-Conference recognition, following a second-team selection last season.
Casey is a leader of Tufts' defense, which has allowed just 12 goals in 18 games and has a 0.64 goals-against average. She has also contributed seven goals and two assists for 16 points, the third-highest point total on the team. She is a leader on the penalty corner attack and is a perfect 4-for-4 on penalty strokes. She recorded a hat trick in Tufts' 4-1 win at Rochester on Sept. 26. A first-team selection for the second straight year, Casey has played 1,116 minutes, second on the team only to senior goalkeeper
Isabel Ginns.
Luft, who is on the All-NESCAC team for the second consecutive season, is a catalyst for the offense. Her long passes put the offense in motion, and her strikes on corners have helped her record three goals and four assists for 10 points. Her four assists, all in NESCAC games, are tied for the team lead. She was involved in all three Tufts goals in the 3-2 win at Williams on Oct. 24, with a goal and two assists.
Head coach
Tina Mattera, associate head coach
Katie White and assistant coaches
Katie Weber and
Troy Zirbel have led Tufts to a historic season. The 18-0 record represents the best start to a season, surpassing the 2008 squad that won its first 16 games. The unbeaten stretch also helped the team set a new winning streak record, which currently sits at 23 games. The staff led the Jumbos to their fourth NESCAC title and the right to host an NCAA Regional for the fifth time. The Jumbos are the No. 1 overall team in the NCAA Tournament, according to the NPI rankings.
> See the full 2026 NESCAC Field Hockey All-Conference Team
HERE.
--JUMBOS--
