GENEVA, N.Y. -- Christopher Newport standout Abby Asuncion has been named to the inaugural NFHCA Collegiate Watch List, which was announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Thursday afternoon.

Asuncion was one of 254 student-athletes from around the nation to earn the prestigious honor. The Watch List was put together by the NFHCA as a way to recognize the nation's top standouts who are considered to have the strongest potential to earn All-Region and All-American accolades this season.

Overall, Asuncion was one of just 88 players to earn the recognition from the Division III level and one of only four from the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference.

So far this season, Asuncion has started all five games while leading the 18th-ranked Captains to a 4-1 record. She already boasts six points this season, including a multi-goal effort against Virginia Wesleyan on September 6. She also registered assists in wins over Bridgewater on September 1 and Concordia (Wisc.) on September 11.

Along with her work during the early part of the 2022 campaign, Asuncion boasts an impressive résumé featuring some of the highest honors in the nation. As a junior, she became just the second Captain in school history to be named the NFHCA Region Player of the Year. Additionally, she was a first-team All-Conference, All-State, All-Region, and All-American selection.

In addition to her performance last year, the Sterling, Virginia native was also the league and state Rookie of the Year in 2019 while securing first-team All-Conference and All-Virginia accolades.

Since arriving in Newport News, Asuncion has started all 41 games while collecting 64 points. Her 29 goals place her ninth on the school's all-time charts, while her eight game-winning strikes rank seventh in program history. Her 1.56 points-per-game average also slots third on the career list, trailing only Christopher Newport Hall of Famer Wendy Wilson (2.66) and legendary standout Ashley Traylor (1.74).

Asuncion and the rest of her teammates will return to action on Saturday when the team hosts Bryn Mawr at 11 a.m.

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