Field Hockey's Smisdom an NFHCA All-American

UAlbany field hockey player Alison Smisdom steps up to a strike a ball with her field hockey stick outside on the UAlbany turf field.

UAlbany sophomore Alison Smisdom is just the second All-American in field hockey history. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/UAlbany Athletics)

Alison Smisdom, a sophomore on UAlbany's America East champion Field Hockey team, has been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association's All-America first team.

Ranking in the top 15 of the nation in goals per game and points per game, Smisdom led the team with 15 goals and 39 points. Named NFHCA Northeast Regional Player of the Year and America East Midfielder of the Year, she led the Great Danes to their first America East title since 2018

A midfielder from Edegem, Belgium, Smisdom's national award is the latest in a line of honors including First Team All-Northeast Region and First Team All-America East.

Following in Paula Heuser's ('17) footsteps, Smisdom is just the second Great Dane to become a First Team All-American. Overall, she is the eighth Great Dane in program history to be recognized as an All-American.

In addition to the honor from the NFHCA, Smisdom was named to the Synapse Sports All-American First Team. Smisdom's first national Synapse Sports award came after the 2021 season when she earned an All-Rookie nod.

Smisdom and her teammates captured the 2022 America East championship and then went on to stun No. 4 Michigan in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Smisdom combined with teammate Floor de Ruiter on the game-tying goal with 2:59 left in the fourth quarter.