Four members of the Yale field hockey team have received team awards for their performances during the 2025 season, the program announced this month.
Sophomore goalkeeper Fev Barinova was honored with the Amanda Walton Award. This award is presented by Yale players and coaching staff to a player who demonstrates resilience in overcoming challenges and inspires teammates through work ethic and unselfishness. The award is named after Amanda Walton, a former Yale athlete who overcame significant injuries following an automobile accident.
Although Barinova has not appeared in any games as a backup goalkeeper, she has been recognized for her contributions to the team and was named to the 2024 NFHCA National Academic Squad. She graduated from Deerfield Academy.
Sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Chang earned the Player of the Year Award, which goes to the team’s top performer over the course of the season. Chang started all 18 games, recorded two assists, and received honorable mention All-Ivy League recognition. Last year, she was given both the team’s Senior Award and an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction Award. Chang is a graduate of St. John’s School.
First-year goalkeeper Amelie Schwarzkopf received the Senior Award, given by seniors to a first-year player whose character contributes positively to team culture and future direction. Schwarzkopf became Yale’s starting goalkeeper in her debut season, achieving two shutouts, a .732 save percentage, and limiting opponents to one goal or fewer in ten out of seventeen games played. She earned second-team honors in both All-Mideast Region and All-Ivy League selections. Schwarzkopf attended Dreilinden Gymnasium.
Junior back Hettie Whittington was awarded the Dawg Award (formerly known as Coaches’ Award), which recognizes grit, resilience, leadership by example, and commitment on and off the field: “given to the player who exemplifies grit, resilience, and a pack mentality both on and off the pitch. This player has the first-in and last-out attitude, effort and mindset. This individual leads by example and sets the standard for hard work.” Whittington anchored Yale’s defense while contributing career highs in goals (9), assists (9), and points (27). She was selected for first-team All-Mideast Region as well as second-team All-Ivy League honors this year; last year she made first-team All-Ivy League.
The announcement concludes what has been described as a historic fourth season under head coach Melissa Gonzalez. The Bulldogs reached both their first NCAA Tournament appearance and their inaugural Ivy League Tournament berth this year. With 12 wins recorded during 2025—tied for third-most in school history—the team bids farewell to seniors Poppy Beales, Lauren Venter, and Maddy Zavalick. Since 2022 these three seniors contributed to 38 wins collectively—the highest total since Yale’s class of 2013 achieved 40 victories between 2009-2012.
Looking ahead to next season, Yale will return eight players who started at least 17 games each—including five All-Ivy League honorees—and four who received All-Region recognition.
