Fairfield University Athletics

2023 Season: Carmel Van Dijk developed into one of the team’s best offensive options during her senior year, finishing the campaign with four goals and eight assists for 16 points. Her assist total paced the Fairfield offense and placed second in the Northeast Conference. She registered an assist in seven games including the team’s goal in the 2024 NEC Tournament semifinal match with Wagner College. Van Dijk finished her Stags career with eight goals and 17 assists for 33 points, averaging 0.5 points per game played. Two of her four goals in 2023 were game winners, posting the decider in back-to-back games against Stonehill College and Villanova University.

2022 Season: Van Dijk served her teammates both as a finisher and as a playmaker, ranking among the team leaders with three goals and seven assists over her 20 appearances. She tallied at least one point in seven contests which included two multi-point games, beginning with her goal and two-assist effort against Merrimack. She also accomplished the task when she posted a goal and an assist in the victory against Stonehill. Van Dijk was very efficient offensively, scoring three times off eight shots. She gained a berth to the NFHCA National Academic Squad as well as to the Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll.

2021 Season: Van Dijk remained a mainstay in the lineup in the fall, appearing in all 22 games played by the Stags. Her versatility up front led the student-athlete to a goal and an assist during the campaign. Her first point of the season came as an assist in a 2-0 win against Villanova. She followed up with a goal in the team’s victory against Merrimack later in the season. She accounted for two shots while on the pitch, putting both on target including her goal. She captured a berth to the NFHCA National Academic Squad in 2021.

2020-21 Season: Van Dijk was one of the most active newcomers on the Stags’ squad, gaining minutes in all seven games. She came off the bench and contributed up front for most of her time on the pitch. She tallied her first collegiate point with an assist in the team’s 3-2 win against Hofstra, setting up the team’s second goal. She also created a couple of opportunities herself, taking two shots with both being on goal. Her first shot was in the season opener while her second try came in the season finale against Sacred Heart.

Before Fairfield: Van Dijk begins her first season with the Fairfield University field hockey program, She has played club field hockey in the Netherlands for more than 10 years and has gained a great deal of experience in the international game. Van Dijk developed into a top-notch offensive player who also has the versatility to make a contribution as a midfielder.