Field Hockey: Higgins, Smith and Torres Earn NFHCA All-American honors

Link: NFHCA Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Junior forward Kiki Higgins of the Williams College field hockey team earned 2024 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III All-American First Team recognition, while junior defender Pilar Torres and first-year goalkeeper Ellie Smith represented the Ephs on the Second Team.

The outstanding student-athletes powered the Ephs to 16 wins in 2024, the most single-season victories in program history. Williams raced out to the best overall (11-0) and NESCAC (9-0) starts during 24th-year head coach Alix Barrale's time at the helm, dating back to 2000. The Ephs earned a first-round bye and reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history, with the other appearance coming in 2022.

"Each of these three student-athletes are deserving of this prestigious honor," said Barrale. "They exhibited a combination of outstanding technical skill, strong athleticism and mental toughness. Most importantly, they consistently performed at a high level in every game this season, which ultimately contributed to our Final Four run. They are the real deal."

Smith wasted no time announcing her arrival to the collegiate stage, as she led the NESCAC in save percentage (.832) and shutouts (7), while ranking second in goals-against average (0.83). She went 15-4 and was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year and to the All-Conference First Team, while representing the program on the NFHCA All-Region II First Team. The Wayland, Massachusetts, native made 10 saves and only allowed one goal against Salisbury on Oct. 19.

"Ellie has ice in her veins," said Barrale. "She thrives when the pressure is on. Her fearlessness combined with her cat-like reflexes in the cage kept us in many tight games, particularly the NESCAC and NCAA Tournament."

Higgins was named to the NFHCA All-Region II First Team and NESCAC All-Conference First Team this season, as she led the conference in total assists (16) and assists per game (0.84) and ranked second among all Division III student-athletes in the nation in assists per game. The Weston, Massachusetts, native was named the conference's Field Hockey Player of the Week on Sept. 9 and 30, while leading the team in points (34). 

Higgins factored into all three goals, tallying two goals and one assist in a 3-2 victory over Wesleyan during the NCAA Sweet 16 at Williamson Field on Nov. 16. She was also named to the NFHCA All-Region First Team and All-NESCAC First Team in 2023, while garnering NESCAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.

"Kiki's exceptional control, precision and creativity with the ball make her an offensive force," said Barrale. "Leading the NESCAC in assists highlights her incredible skill at creating offensive opportunities in high-pressure situations."

Torres took home NFHCA All-Region II First Team laurels and NESCAC All-Conference First Team recognition in 2023 and 2024. She led the team and ranked in a tie for third in the NESCAC with four game-winning tallies in 2024, while her 10 goals were the most on the squad and tied for the eighth most in the conference. During a 2-1 win over Messiah in the Elite Eight at Williamson Field on Nov. 17, she scored twice in the first quarter, with the first standing as the game-winner and the second occurring on a penalty stroke.

The Madison, New Jersey, native led the defensive charge, as she was a vital reason that the Ephs shut out seven consecutive opponents to begin the 2024 season.

"Pilar is an outstanding defender, no ifs, ands or buts," said Barrale. "Her incredible hand-eye coordination coupled with her tactical awareness make her the backbone of our defense. She does it all, scoring on offensive corners, shutting down opponents on defensive corners and scoring on penalty strokes whenever the opportunity arises." 
 

Written by Trevor Wenners
Manager of Athletic Statistics and Record Keeping
tw11@williams.edu