Lansing Sun

Michigan State University freshman Carmen Pucheta has been recognized as a First Team All-West Region selection by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). This accolade adds to her list of post-season honors.

Pucheta is the 23rd Spartan in program history to receive NFHCA All-Region honors, marking the 40th selection for Michigan State overall. The last Spartan to earn First Team All-Region was Heather Howie in 2015. Since then, four Spartans have been named to the Second Team: Kendal Anderson (2016), Simone Vagnoni (2016, 2017), Cara Bonshak (2020), and Merel Hanssen (2021, 2022).

The freshman standout was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on both the First Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team. She is noted as the first Spartan in program history to achieve both First Team and Freshman of the Year honors in a single season.

Pucheta played all 18 games for Michigan State this season, one of eight Spartans and three freshmen to do so. Her contributions were significant on both offense and defense, with a scoring line of 4-2-10, tying with Lilian Knorr as the team's top-scoring first-year player.

Michigan State ended their season with an overall record of 8-10 and will see four seniors graduate.