University of New England Athletics

Thibaudeau (Peabody, Mass.), formerly Smith, graduated with a bachelor's degree in health, wellness, and occupational studies in 2017. From 2013-16, she was the goalkeeper for the Nor'easter field hockey team, starting/playing in all but two rookie-season matches and backstopping the program to a 71-22 record when she was between the posts. Thibaudeau capped her career with a second team National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America nod, which was preceded by a first team all-region pick and first team All-CCC recognition, along with the 2016 CCC Defensive Player of the Year award. That senior season, which finished at 20-4, was powered by a 0.86 goals against average (school record), an .840 save percentage, and seven clean sheets. Overall, she ranks second all-time in NCAA Division III history with those 71 victories, while holding the program marks for goals against average (1.30) and shutouts (25). Thibaudeau's first season also set the standards for shutouts (8) and consecutive shutout minutes (372:37), which was a seven-game stretch highlighted by the program's first-ever triumph over a nationally-ranked foe. She wound up as a four-time All-CCC selection, including three on the first team, and received the 2013 CCC Rookie of the Year distinction. UNE claimed regular-season titles every year with Thibaudeau, going 46-2 against league competition, and won the 2014, 2015, and 2016 CCC tournament crowns. In 2013, after dropping the conference final, the Nor'easters captured the ECAC New England Championship, for which Thibaudeau was named the Most Outstanding Player. On the heels of each CCC victory, the team chalked up wins to open NCAA Championship play and reached the second round; it was a first for the program in 2014. The two-year team captain went 12-4 during all postseason outings, with five of her shutouts (and one shared). In 2016, UNE achieved the national ranking of No.19 in the last NFHCA poll of the year.