BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (April 30, 2025) – The Northeast Conference (NEC) uncovered its women's lacrosse postseason teams and major awards where Howard University saw a pair of Bison recognized for their outstanding 2025 campaigns. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon.
 
Graduate attacker Sawyer Walker (Magnolia, Del.) earned All-NEC Second Team while freshman midfielder Leah Croom (Miami) was named to the All-Rookie Team.
 
Walker made an immediate impact in her first season as a Bison, ranking among the country leaders in multiple categories, including draw controls per match (16^th) and ground balls per game (8^th). The Delaware native started all 15 matches while setting a new program benchmark in total draw controls in a single season (122).
 
Croom finished her first year as one of the top newcomers in the league. The South Florida product won NEC Rookie of the Week twice while ranking second on the team in several categories behind Walker. She started all 15 contests, racking up 27 ground balls, 20 points (17 goals & three assists), 17 draw controls and four caused turnovers.
 
LIU took home four major awards on the afternoon: Ava Burns (Defensive Player of the Year); Mylie Norton (Goalkeeper of the Year); Julia Trainor (Midfielder of the Year) and Meghan McNamara-Cafiero and staff (Coach of the Year & Staff).
 
Mercyhurst's Whitley Eaton won NEC Offensive Player of the Year while Saint Francis' Samantha Hewitt claimed the league's Rookie of the Year award.
 
Howard head coach Karen Healy-Silcott and the Bison continue its pursuit for a NEC title in spring 2026.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the NEC website at www.northeastconference.org.