STANFORD, Calif. — Following the 2025 fall slate, Stanford field hockey has earned one of the nation’s top academic honors with Daisy Ford and Esther Pottebaum being named as NFHCA Scholars of Distinction, the organization announced on Friday.
To be named an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction, student-athletes must maintain a 3.9 GPA or higher during the fall semester/quarter.
Ford earns her third-consecutive nod as an NFHCA Scholar of Distinction as she finishes her degree in Spanish. Ford started 12 of her 13 appearances in 2025 and led the team in minutes with 634 minutes between the posts. Ford ranked fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in saves per game (3.08) and earned a career-high 12 saves in the match against Maryland to open the season. Ford was also named an NFHCA DI National Academic Squad for the fourth-consecutive year earlier this week and is a two-time member of the ACC All-Academic Team.
Pottebaum earns her second-consecutive NFHCA Scholar of Distinction honor as she continues her pursuit of a degree in International Relations and Spanish. Pottebaum is a two-time ACC All-Academic honoree and recently earned her third nod on the NFHCA National Academic Squad. On the pitch, Pottebaum appeared in all 17 games while tying a career-high with four starts on the campaign. Pottebaum secured two assists on her ledger which tied for the team lead including an assist in Stanford’s ACC Quarterfinal match against Virginia.