Lucy Adams Makes History as Third Brown Player Named to NFHCA Division I Senior Team

On November 20, 2025, Lucy Adams, a senior midfielder from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, was named to the 2025 NFHCA Division I Senior Team — a distinction reserved for just 38 of the nation’s top collegiate field hockey seniors. The announcement, made through Brown Athletics’ official channels, cements Adams’ legacy as one of the most decorated players in program history. She joins only two others: Imogen Govan '25 and Julia Hitti '25. But what sets Adams apart isn’t just the honor — it’s the quiet, consistent excellence that built it.

A Career Built on Assists, Not Just Goals

Adams didn’t light up the scoreboard with flash. She moved the ball like a conductor. Her 11 assists in 2025 tied her career high and ranked fourth all-time at Brown. Her 27 career assists? Third in program history — just six shy of breaking Megan Patterson '02’s record. With 55 total points, she’s tied for 11th. In a sport where goals steal headlines, Adams’ value was in the setup — the perfect pass, the delayed run, the timing only a veteran understands.

Her consistency was staggering. She earned First Team All-Ivy honors for the third straight year in 2025 — becoming the third Brown player ever to do so, after Lauren Becker '87 and Christine Monteiro '93. And she became the fourth player in program history to earn All-Ivy recognition four times, adding her 2023 Second Team nod to the three First Team selections. She was one of only four players in the Ivy League named Unanimous First Team All-Ivy this season. That’s not luck. That’s dominance.

Leading Brown Into Uncharted Territory

Under Adams’ leadership, Brown didn’t just compete — they redefined expectations. For the first time since the 1986–87 seasons, the Bears posted back-to-back winning records in Ivy League play. They returned to the Ivy League Tournament for the second straight year. On November 7, 2025, they faced top-seeded Harvard University in the semifinals — a far cry from the program’s struggles just five years ago. Adams’ presence on the field turned games. She had four goals and 11 assists in 2025, second-most in the league. Her ability to control tempo, especially in tight conference matchups, was the difference between winning and falling short.

Even in injury-plagued seasons, she delivered. In 2023, she played just 10 games but still earned Second Team All-Ivy and All-Northeast Region honors. That’s the kind of player she is — one who elevates the team even when she’s not at 100%.

From Andover to the National Team

Adams’ journey began in Andover, Massachusetts, where she and her twin sister started playing field hockey in fifth grade — coached by their mother, a former player herself. At Brooks School, she was a three-sport captain, earning MAX Field Hockey All-Region First Team honors and Eagle Tribune All-Star recognition. Her club experience with FUTURES and the Northeast Elite 1st Team prepared her for the next level.

By 2023, she was on the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team, winning gold at the Junior Pan American Championship in Barbados and silver at the Pan American Cup in Uruguay. She played in the Junior World Cup in Chile. Then, on January 19, 2025, she earned her first cap with the U.S. Women’s National Team against New Zealand in Auckland. She followed that with appearances against Ireland and New Zealand again — both in Charlotte, North Carolina. At 22, she’s already bridging college success with international competition.

Why This Matters Beyond the Field

This isn’t just about stats or trophies. It’s about what Adams represents: resilience, leadership, and quiet excellence in a sport that still fights for visibility. Brown’s field hockey program, once a regional contender, is now a consistent force — and Adams was its engine. Her recognition by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association validates the program’s growth and signals that elite talent isn’t just coming from traditional powerhouses.

Her path also shows how college athletics can be a launchpad — not just for professional play, but for national representation. She didn’t wait for a scholarship to prove herself. She built her reputation game by game, assist by assist.

What’s Next for Lucy Adams?

With graduation looming, Adams’ future is wide open. She’s likely being scouted by top-tier professional leagues in Europe and Australia, where women’s field hockey is thriving. Her experience with the U.S. National Team suggests a path toward the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. But for now, she’s focused on finishing what she started. Her final game at Brown — whether it was the semifinal against Harvard or a future match — will be remembered as the culmination of a career defined not by noise, but by nuance.