BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (April 29, 2026) – The NEC unveiled its women's lacrosse postseason honors and major awards where Howard University freshman Sophia Lima (Altadena, Calif.) made the league's All-Rookie Team. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon.
 
Lima made an immediate impact in her first season as a Bison, leading the squad with 34 points (24 goals & 10 assists). The two-time NEC Rookie of the Week registered six hat tricks while posting a career-high six points (three goals & three assists) in the road victory at Delaware State (March 25).
 
Le Moyne College headlined the afternoon, winning three major awards: Jane Austenfeld (NEC Defensive Player of the Year); Amanda Manfredi (NEC Goalkeeper of the Year) and Liz Belville and staff (NEC Coaching Staff of the Year). Stonehill College secured a pair of major awards, Grace Murphy (NEC Offensive Player of the Year) and Sophia Gouveia (NEC Rookie of the Year), while Julia Trainor (LIU) grabbed the league's Midfielder of the Year.
 
Howard head coach Karen Healy-Silcott and the Bison continue its pursuit for a NEC title in spring 2027.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the NEC website at www.necsports.com.