DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College junior Mackenzie Doran and freshman Emily LeBlanc has been named to the 2022 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Scholars of Distinction list. Earlier this month, both were named to the NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad.

"Seeing these two women earn this academic award is extremely rewarding," said Nichols head coach Laura-Ann Lane. "Nicole (Simeone) and I are proud of their dedication and the high academic standards they have set for themselves."

Doran – a two-time CCC Academic All-Conference selection – finished second in both goals (eight) and points (18) for the Bison in 2021. A three-time NFHCA Scholar of Distinction honoree (2019-21), the Wolfeboro, N.H. native is a management major who collected her first collegiate hat trick in a win over Clark (MA) on October 12.

"Mackenzie is a dual sport athlete, actively involved in the campus community and our go-to when it comes to the virtual recruit campus tour," said Lane. "She is leading by example each day here 'On the Hill.'"

LeBlanc is an HR management / personnel administration major who started all 17 games as a freshman. The Manchester, New Hampshire native collected her first collegiate point – an assist – in a win over Anna Maria on Sept. 8.

"As a first-year-player, Emily has stepped into a variety of roles. She is our representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and also one of our go-to students for recruiting visits on-campus and virtually," explained Lane. "Her ability to take on all of these roles in her first semester is setting the example for what we are looking for in our program!"

The Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year.