St. Mary’s College of Maryland field hockey players Brenna Ziegler and Sophia Kent were named United East Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on September 8, 2025, recognizing their standout performances in a 2-0 week for the Seahawks. The announcement from the league office highlights the duo’s contributions to the team’s undefeated 3-0 start, a point of pride for Southern Maryland’s sports community, particularly in St. Mary’s County, where the college is a local cornerstone.
Brenna Ziegler, a senior forward from Newark, Delaware, earned her fifth career Offensive Player of the Week award and her second in the United East. The 5-foot-9 athlete led St. Mary’s with two goals and an assist across two victories. On September 3, she scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 non-conference win over Virginia Wesleyan University. She followed with another game-winning goal and an assist in a 2-1 victory against Bridgewater College. Ziegler leads the United East with three game-winning goals, ranks second with 14 shots and three goals, and third with eight points. She is also tied for fourth with seven shots on goal, showcasing her offensive prowess for the Seahawks.
Sophia Kent, a 5-foot-5 goalkeeper from Chesterville, Maryland, secured her second career Defensive Player of the Week honor. Kent posted a 0.50 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage over the two games. She recorded three saves for her first shutout of the season against Virginia Wesleyan and matched her career-high with eight saves in the Bridgewater win. Kent leads all United East goalkeepers with a 0.67 goals-against average and an .857 save percentage, tying for second with one shutout. Her performance has been critical to St. Mary’s defensive strength, a source of local pride for Chesterville and Kent’s alma mater, Gunston School.
The Seahawks’ victories reflect their strong start in the 2025 season, building on a tradition of competitive field hockey at St. Mary’s College, located in St. Mary’s City, a historic hub in Southern Maryland. The team’s success resonates with local fans, who often follow the Seahawks’ progress through community events and regional coverage. The United East Conference, comprising schools across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and beyond, is a competitive stage for St. Mary’s, and Ziegler and Kent’s accolades underscore the team’s regional impact.
St. Mary’s College (3-0) will play its first road game of the season on September 10, 2025, facing Goucher College (1-2) in Towson, Maryland, at 7 p.m. The matchup offers Southern Maryland fans a chance to support the Seahawks in nearby Baltimore County. The team’s early success, driven by players like Ziegler and Kent, positions them as contenders in the United East, with local supporters hopeful for a deep postseason run.
