With back-to-back Northeast Conference (NEC) Defensive Player of the Year awards on her résumé, senior Kelly Buckley has consistently proven that she is one of the top backline players in the region. The defender took it one step further when she was named a member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America Third Team. She is one of just 48 student-athletes to receive All-America status this season, and only the second Stag to earn field hockey All-America honors in program history.

Buckley '21 helped anchor one of the top defensive units in the NEC this year. With her assistance, the Stags allowed just four goals over seven games and recorded three shutouts including two straight to end the regular season. She also excelled offensively, posting two goals off five shots on goal for four total points.

The Clifton Park, N.Y. native has always done a stellar job of walking that fine line between contributing on both sides of the pitch, scoring points in three of her four season with the program. In addition to her knack for finishing plays, Buckley also has the ability to set up goals by using her passing skills to find open teammates. She picked up three assists during her career including a personal best two in 2019.

In addition to meeting the demands of being an athlete, Buckley has also found the proper balance to succeed academically. The nursing major has garnered several academic honors during her four years, most recently being named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad as well as to the NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

“Kelly is a prime example of an extraordinary student-athlete at Fairfield University,” Head Field Hockey Coach Jackie Kane '87 said. “She was able to excel in the classroom as a nursing major while making a huge impact on the success of the field hockey team. Her dedication and determination to be her personal best is inspiring for her teammates and her coaches too.”

The Fairfield University field hockey team finished the 2021 regular season with a 5-2 overall and NEC record. The Stags won their first three games of the campaign, dropped a pair of games mid-season, but rallied to win their final two games on the schedule. Both of those final wins were by shutout.